Volvo V50 2.0 R-DESIGN Edition 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The Volvo V50 is an accomplished motorway cruiser which delivers a very smooth ride on the whole. It handles well and glides through corners with good road grip and sharp, responsive steering. The model provides a fun driving experience down to the powerful engine and minimal body roll. Moreover, the ride is a refined one with a quiet engine, and little road or wind noise even at speed. It absorbs the majority of bumps and road imperfections with consumate ease.

This car has a top speed of 130mph, which is typical for a car of this build. It can travel from 0mph to 62mph in a respectable 9.6 seconds. The car’s power output is 143bhp, and its torque is a standard 136 lb-ft.

The V50 is an attractive estate with smooth and sleek lines, and a stylish front end. These aesthetics are continued inside the vehicle where high quality materials are used and the instruments are neatly laid out. The exterior is enhanced with alloy wheels, while metallic paint can be added for a cost of £565.

The V50 boasts an excellent range of equipment. This model comes as standard with climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, electric front windows and door mirrors, a CD player with MP3 connectivity and Bluetooth connectivity. The interior is also finished with leather seats.

Satellite navigation is not included but is available for an additional £525.

This V50 has five doors and seats five occupants making it an ideal choice for a family car, as there is simple access in to the vehicle. It has a spacious cabin and the car has got relatively generous boot space - when the rear seats are upright there is 417 litres of free space, and when the rear seats are folded there is 1307 litres. Head and legroom is ample throughout the vehicle.

The safety has been well established as there is a driver airbag, passenger airbag as well as airbags in the front side area of the vehicle to maximise protection for the driver and passengers in the event of an accident. The model received a maximum 5 star Euro NCAP rating.

The car's warranty is standard; Volvo offer three years and up to 60,000 miles of cover.

In terms of security, the car is fitted with an alarm to give the car maximum security when it is unattended, and central locking.

The Volvo V50 2.0 R-DESIGN Edition 5dr is a spacious and comfortable family estate which is priced at £21,760. This is fairly competitive considering what is on offer, in terms of in-car equipment and safety features.

In terms of fuel economy, however, the car performs on average at 37.2mpg, which is ok for the class but is nearly doubled by more efficient V50s in the range. CO2 emissions are also not so impressive at 176g/km, again eclipsed by other models in the range which offer as low as 99 g/km.

The Volvo V50 2.0 R-Design Edition 5dr makes a great family car, although in terms of value for money buyers would be wise to look at more efficient models in the range.