The V50's exterior is damn near a Xerox reduction of every other Volvo out
there. However, inside, the most diminutive of Volvos takes its own design path.
The industry's first "floating" centre console is the big attraction-getter. Apparently inspired by high-end audio remotes, it's a combination of old-style big knobs with a flat central info screen that frees up storage space where a console would normally attach to the dash. The soft rubber on the four large controls is grippy, and easy to use even with gloves on. The main display provides HVAC and audio info as well as some basic car settings. Besides being a conversation starter, the slick centre console is simple and it works.
Other ergonomic highlights were some of the most orthopedically correct and structurally safe seats in the biz, a steering wheel that both tilts and telescopes, a wide cabin that belies its compact roots, and excellent all-around visibility.
Base cars come with a durable synthetic Volvo calls T-Tec. The extra cowhide on the steering wheel and shift knob is part of a $2,900 Sport Package that also adds 17-inch alloys and tires, power and memory to the driver's seat, lumbar to the front passenger seat, front fog lights, and stiffer springs and shocks. For those who can't pony-up for the T5 AWD model, potentially the most attractive item is the Stability and Traction Control system that's also included as part of this package. A $900 Climate Package adds heated bun warmers to the front seats, headlight washers, electronic climate control, a rain sensor and an interior air quality system--all luxury features that the Mazda3 is bereft of.
Driver instrumentation on the V50 is straightforward with two large dial. Tach on the left, speedo on the right, oil temp and fuel below--with a smaller electronic display sandwiched in-between. Despite the lack of quality plastics, the switchgear felt solid. Unfortunately, it also appeared to be proportionally Munchkin-sized. Every button, knob, door handle, etc. is about 60% smaller than what you would find in a V70. The light switches nestled to the left of the steering wheel and the floor pedals are particularly tiny.
On the road, despite having all of that safety "stuff" jammed into the V50, its the most fun-to-drive car in the current Volvo lineup with a surprisingly sprite 1,387 kilograms curb weight. You can thank its compact proportions and a suspension made up of struts, coil springs and stabilizer bar up front with an independent multi-link rear suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar that's been breathed on by the excellent Euro Ford suspension gurus. The 17-inch rubber helped in overall grip, and the car corners flat because of it. But it felt like the additional unsprung weight of the larger wheels and tires overwhelmed the suspension causing a harsh
ride over sharp bumps that a BMW 325i Touring ($41,400) or an Audi A4 Avant 2.0 T ($42,200) would shake off with aplomb. Other debits in the driving dynamic is steering that was accurate, but vague in feel; especially on-centre.
The non-turbo five-banger's performance is adequate. With its distinctive fiver growl, its actually fun running through the gears. Getting to 100 kms/hr from zero takes about eight seconds. The T5 will lop about one and a half seconds off of that time, but with compensate turbo lag. The five-speed stick had short throws, with only a slight indecisiveness in the throw from second to third.
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| 2005 Volvo V50 (photo: John LeBlanc) |
The industry's first "floating" centre console is the big attraction-getter. Apparently inspired by high-end audio remotes, it's a combination of old-style big knobs with a flat central info screen that frees up storage space where a console would normally attach to the dash. The soft rubber on the four large controls is grippy, and easy to use even with gloves on. The main display provides HVAC and audio info as well as some basic car settings. Besides being a conversation starter, the slick centre console is simple and it works.
Other ergonomic highlights were some of the most orthopedically correct and structurally safe seats in the biz, a steering wheel that both tilts and telescopes, a wide cabin that belies its compact roots, and excellent all-around visibility.
Base cars come with a durable synthetic Volvo calls T-Tec. The extra cowhide on the steering wheel and shift knob is part of a $2,900 Sport Package that also adds 17-inch alloys and tires, power and memory to the driver's seat, lumbar to the front passenger seat, front fog lights, and stiffer springs and shocks. For those who can't pony-up for the T5 AWD model, potentially the most attractive item is the Stability and Traction Control system that's also included as part of this package. A $900 Climate Package adds heated bun warmers to the front seats, headlight washers, electronic climate control, a rain sensor and an interior air quality system--all luxury features that the Mazda3 is bereft of.
 |
| 2005 Volvo V50 (photo: John LeBlanc) |
On the road, despite having all of that safety "stuff" jammed into the V50, its the most fun-to-drive car in the current Volvo lineup with a surprisingly sprite 1,387 kilograms curb weight. You can thank its compact proportions and a suspension made up of struts, coil springs and stabilizer bar up front with an independent multi-link rear suspension with coil springs and a stabilizer bar that's been breathed on by the excellent Euro Ford suspension gurus. The 17-inch rubber helped in overall grip, and the car corners flat because of it. But it felt like the additional unsprung weight of the larger wheels and tires overwhelmed the suspension causing a harsh
 |
| 2005 Volvo V50 (photo: John LeBlanc) |
The non-turbo five-banger's performance is adequate. With its distinctive fiver growl, its actually fun running through the gears. Getting to 100 kms/hr from zero takes about eight seconds. The T5 will lop about one and a half seconds off of that time, but with compensate turbo lag. The five-speed stick had short throws, with only a slight indecisiveness in the throw from second to third.