Topic: Used Vehicle Review: Volvo S40/V50, 2005'2011

[Autos_Editor]

The compact S40 sedan and V50 wagon delivered refinement, performance from Volvo.

Read More...

[Solstice2006]

Thank you so much for doing a review on this vehicle... Had been on my radar in the past, but the reliability of Volvo fluctuates depending on the model, the engine, and the AWD factor.  And this small wagon seems to hold its value too much for what it is.  Don't get me wrong, it's finished nicely, safe, decent performance on the T5.  But things like premium gas on a naturally aspirated 2.4L bug me, if it was a bit cheaper or a few inches bigger I would consider it more. 

In the meantime, I am looking forward to when Volvo will release their new 4 cylinder engines....

[aaronk]

RE: Solstice2006, good point about the premium gas in the N/A 2.4, this is a head-scratcher.

I like the fact that this is a 'safe, small car' - there are quite a few folks who perceive small vehicles to be unsafe, but a small "Volvo" may ease that sense of insecurity but still provide the benefits of a smaller car. I think the safest bet in terms of reliability would be a lower-trim non-turbo 2.4i FWD model. With a 2.4 litre engine it should have enough get up and go to move this car around comfortably, and there are fewer worries about expensive repairs to turbos or AWD systems down the road.

My coworker had an S70 that looked like new after 13 years. 317,000 kms, one set of brakes, factory exhaust, no body rust, leather wasn't cracked or broken. Volvo makes a well-built car, that's for sure.

[redman]

Finicky buggers many Volvo's are.

My older Volvo refuses to work with anything Champion. (Mind you so do any of my motors, at least properly)

Poor blind spots should be a no no for a company that touts safety as a large selling feature.

Volvo just seems to be missing the mark and not able to get over that pseudo hump into large sales.

 

[aaronk]

Finicky buggers many Volvo's are.

My older Volvo refuses to work with anything Champion. (Mind you so do any of my motors, at least properly)

Poor blind spots should be a no no for a company that touts safety as a large selling feature.

Volvo just seems to be missing the mark and not able to get over that pseudo hump into large sales.

I think Volvo has long been, and will likely always be, a niche player. I like that about them - it's not as obvious as a BMW/Mercedes/Audi, and yet a new S60 is a thoroughly competitive vehicle. The S40 was never really a competitor to the 3-series in practice, but it offered something more premium than the average car. There will always be manufacturers that skirt the mainstream, and I think our marketplace is more fun and interesting because of it.

Who knows, with VW on a fast track to being the new value leader and leaving quality fit/finish in their rearview mirror, maybe there's a slot for Volvo where VW used to be - slightly better quality than the mainstream, but not quite at premium price levels.

[MR2Pritch]

im driving the xc70 this week and all ANYONE is asking is if they still feel 'solid', which i think they do.

[Northernridge]

Looking at the title of this article causes me to think that Volvo is being punished in part for the ridiculous pace of vehicle name changes over the years. I wonder if that was a gift from Ford.

[hemusbull]

S40 is a wolf in sheep's skin - don't forget it's a Ford's family member based on older Mazda3 chassis with Volvo engines. Back in '05 it was better than its donor, now can't match Mazda3 2.5 SkyActiv. Well, I know these two are so different...

[hartotis]

I bought a V50, used, in Dec. of '07. I have the 2.4 N/A and have run regular gas in it since I bought it with no problems. Highway gas mileage has been very good, city mileage is OK but nothing spectacular. Only have had two warranty repairs on it, the battery failed and I had a seat heater fail that threw the HVAC system out of whack. Regular maintenance otherwise. I bought the car with 27,000 kms on it and I am now just over 133,000 kms. I did quite a bit of research on Volvos before I bought the car and their reliability reputation wasn't very good but overall my experience has been fine. No regrets with my purchase.

[SaskSpecV]

There will always be manufacturers that skirt the mainstream, and I think our marketplace is more fun and interesting because of it.

Absolutely agree.  It's too bad that 2 MNFRs that best exemplified "skirting the mainstream" (at least in North Amercia) - Suzuki and Saab - are dead (or soon will be).  And you can probably throw Mitsubishi in that category, too.  But let's hope Volvo can keep going - it appears like their Chinese owners are now putting more resources into them than Ford did towards the end...

[blotter]

I bought a V50, used, in Dec. of '07. I have the 2.4 N/A and have run regular gas in it since I bought it with no problems

I agree with everything Solstice2006 had to say.   I've always LOVED Volvo, wanted and still want one.  Will still consider it for my next car, but realiability is such a moving target with Volvo.  I try and talking to every Volvo owner I meet and it's always "the best car ever or terrible car" comments.   

I was going to ask, many of these car seem to recommend premium but regular is acceptable.
my father in law had a C30 and that was the case.   he too had no issues using regular.

[mixmanmash]

S40 is a wolf in sheep's skin - don't forget it's a Ford's family member based on older Mazda3 chassis with Volvo engines. Back in '05 it was better than its donor, now can't match Mazda3 2.5 SkyActiv. Well, I know these two are so different...

Mazda doesn't offer the Skyactiv 2.5 in the Mazda 3...

[Fobroader]

Its really weird that Volvo has never become a mainstream car, Saab for that matter as well. My mom had an 88 760 back in the day but its still the best built/engineered vehicle my parents have ever had.

[blotter]

Its really weird that Volvo has never become a mainstream car, Saab for that matter as well. My mom had an 88 760 back in the day but its still the best built/engineered vehicle my parents have ever had.

 



and the absolute most comfortable car seats i've ever sat in, was a Saab.

[redman]

"and the absolute most comfortable car seats i've ever sat in, was a Saab."


Then you haven't been in a Cross Country Volvo !! Feels like the seats are sanctioned by the Swedish Orthopedic Society.

[huota]

In case of Volvo always buy a facelifted model and you will do much better in terms of reliability compared to the original version.

[Fobroader]

Its really weird that Volvo has never become a mainstream car, Saab for that matter as well. My mom had an 88 760 back in the day but its still the best built/engineered vehicle my parents have ever had.

i think if volvo had built a reputation for build quality like the japanese have and maintained their minimalist refined approach to design they would do very well indeed.  i see them as a european subaru but with a design sense.....and more upscale.  for me, that's the market they should go after, not the german brands.

I think that would be a great direction. I mean theyve never been a performance oriented brand, its not like people are gonna cross shop the M3, S4 and S60....An upmarket Subaru would be a pretty great niche for them. Ive always thought of them as a solid, safe, reliable, great interiors and just a slightly boring, yet attractive, exterior. Volvo wouldnt be my choice for ripping up a mountain road.....till I went off the road and the car saved me 

[Stilllovetrucks]

Always been a great product known by reputation, for me, Chinese ownership does not scream quality reputation,
but we've had an S70 for 13 years, and it's fit and finish is better still than some other cars less than 4 years old.
Volvo though , to me, approaching middle age, has never yelled ''fun to drive'', so I'm looking for excitement in my
next awd sedan.

[toolatecrew]

I leased one of the first V50 wagons in I my area back in 05. Sport package and 5 speed stick with the 2.4. My wife loved it but I couldn't wait to give it back,

Would not hold an alignment. Ate a set of 17 inch tires in less than 20 ,000km. 3 fog light replacements sue to condensation. Steering return spring replacement. Complete steering column replacement when ignition failure left me wife and infant son stranded because the car wouldn't start.

2.4 5 cyl is totally underwhelming. One of the dullest engines ever. Barley adequate power, uninspired exhaust note. Mileage was "adequate" but suffered if you burned mid or regular grade vs premium. Reved at over 3,000 rpm at 120 kph due to short 5 speed gearing (6 speed turbo had much longer 6th and actually got equal or better highway mpg) Sport suspension was far too stiff for the retun on handling which was no more than competent. Terrible steering feel from the electric steering.

Seats were comfortable, it was a decent highway cruiser and I did like the  utility of the wagon. Not a as big as a full sized wagon but more room than a hatchback. Wife liked it because it felt "safe".

I would not recommend this car. The T5 would be a more rewarding drive with the extra power but reliability and maintenance would make it a sketchy value proposition unless it was low km, low price and meticulously maintained.   

[blotter]

Then you haven't been in a Cross Country Volvo !! Feels like the seats are sanctioned by the Swedish Orthopedic Society.

i have!   

but not any recent models.   a couple years back i sat in almost every car at the auto show and the Saab seats just blew me away, Volvo was a very very close second.