There was a time when Sweden’s Volvo was known only for safety. But today’s Volvo is also known for producing sporty, fashionable cars and SUVs that transcend the ultra-conservative boxes of yesteryear. And the latest addition to the folio is this compact V50. It’s one tight, trim little wagon. Still, the V50’s appeal is much more than skin deep.

And, oh, what a handsome skin it is. But no matter how carefully Volvo stylists pen the outside of the 2005 V50 sports-wagon, the engineers will always make sure that it’s built to protect life and limb. Just peel back the top layer and you’ll find what Volvo calls Intelligent Vehicle Architecture. The advanced safety cage uses four grades of steel to control crash energy, and rigid cross members for side impact protection. The second row seats are steel reinforced for added rear impact protection. And don’t forget Volvo’s Whiplash Protection System. With top honors from the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety, in a rear collision WHIPS rotates the front seat backs and head restraints with the bodies to reduce neck trauma. Plus dual stage front airbags, side impact airbags up front, and side curtain airbags for all outboard occupants.

And all this practical technology is wrapped in an edgy, sporty compact body designed to appeal to young, active individuals and families. The look is sleek, with the V50 sharing the same 103.9-inch wheelbase as the V40 sedan. But even this youthful styling doesn’t forget safety; witness the peaked but oh-so-visible tail lights.

The V50 may be compact on the outside, but the front cockpit is wide and roomy. Also shared with the V40, the looks are surprisingly high fashion, especially in the curved, free-floating center stack design. The front seats in our T5-grade test car came with 8-way power adjustments and superb back and thigh support. Both leather and heat are options. Gauges and controls are mostly large and direct, but again with some welcomed flair, from the T-5’s automatic climate controls to the standard 6-speaker CD stereo. A deluxe 12-speaker system with 6-disc changer is optional.

The rear seat offers goodly head room, but is rather tight in the leg area for tall folks. Now, Volvo wagons are expected to excel in flexibility and the V50 complies. The rear seat back is a 60/40 split, and folds flat for up to 62.9 cubic feet of cargo. Which, with the standard front folding passenger seat down, can also measure up to 10-feet in length. Very nice.

Motivation for all this is provided by the T5’s 2.5-liter twin-cam 5-cylinder turbocharged engine. Output is 218 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The base 2.4i model gets a 2.4-liter non-turbo I-5 with 168 horsepower. A 6-speed manual gearbox is standard on the T5, but we tested the optional 5-speed automatic with manual shift and winter mode.

Traction control is standard on the front-drive V50, with all-wheel drive a T5 option. Something the previous V40 didn’t offer. Like other Volvos, the V50 uses Haldex hydraulic clutch all-wheel drive. Combined with traction control, you can keep going even if only one wheel has grip.

With all four wheels engaged, our test car hits 60 in 7.9 seconds, only a second slower than the manual S40 T5 we tested earlier. The quarter mile runs a fine 15.8 seconds at 88 miles-per-hour. We found the torquey little turbo well matched with the automatic, providing a stronger launch than the manual. But it’s still most impressive above mid-range with a hard charge to the 6,500 rpm redline. In fact, we found little use for the manual shift mode at all.

The all-wheel-drive system also aids traction in dry cornering, yet overall induces less push than expected. In fact, chassis balance is excellent. We’re less happy with the somewhat slow and vague electro-hydraulic steering. It needs work. But overall the V50 is a great handling sport wagon that can also test driver skills, so we recommend the optional stability control.

The T5 AWD’s brakes are 4-wheel discs with 4-channel ABS, Brake Assist, and Electronic Brake Force Distribution. Stops from 60 averaged 120 feet, with a soft pedal feel but top flight stability. We’re also enthused with the V50’s performance in day-to-day driving. The ride is European solid, but never harsh, and interior noise levels are low.

EPA mileage estimates for the T5 AWD with automatic are 19 city/26 highway. We averaged a fine 25 miles-per-gallon in mixed driving.

Prices for the Volvo V50 start at $26,345 for the base 2.4i. The T5 starts at $27,945. While our T5 AWD test car starts at $29,595.

The 2005 Volvo V50 is trim, tight and fun to drive. But it also delivers the versatility and safety that Volvo wagons are well known for. And yes, it’s nice to look at as well. But like all of today’s Volvos, what catches the eye is just the beginning.

Specifications

  • Engine: 2.5-Liter Turbocharged Twin-cam 5-Cylinder
  • Horsepower: 218
  • Torque: 236 Lb Feet
  • 0-60 MPH: 7.9 Seconds
  • 1/4 Mile: 15.8 Seconds @ 88 MPH
  • 60-0 MPH: 120 Feet
  • EPA Mileage: 19 MPG City 26 MPG Highway
  • Motorweek's Mileage Loop: 25 MPG Mixed City/highway