Volvo V50
The estate version of the S40 saloon shares all that car's interior class and quality but, of course, adds a very useful chunk of practicality. However, it's not the sort of huge estate car you would normally associate Volvo with, but rather a more compact ‘lifestyle’ estate, which means it's very versatile but not quite big enough for professional furniture removers. The DRIVe version is an economical lifestyle choice, if a rather unexciting one.
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- pros:
- Tasteful, high quality cabin
- Diesels are very economical, especially the DRIVe model
- Feels compact for an estate car
- cons:
- Not the most exciting car to drive
- Lacks practicality of some cheaper estates
- Running costs could be better
The V50's wide engine and trim range mirrors that of the S40 saloon, meaning there's something for everyone. The 72.4mpg DRIVe model is slow, but few proper estates can match its fuel economy, and at the other end of the scale the T5 petrol version will carry loads very quickly indeed. For those looking for a flexible estate of manageable size, the V50 is a classy and well-equipped option.
