For The V50 is a fine drive, with punchy diesel engines, sharp handling and lots of grip. The cabin is solid, stylish, and well equipped.

Against The V50 isn't as spacious as many cheaper estate rivals and can't match some prestige-badged competitors for class, refinement or residuals.

Volvo V50 Estate

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

Stylish and good to drive, if not supremely practical. The Volvo T5 doesn't convince as a sporting estate.

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The Volvo V50 Estate full review Read in full

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There are 17 Volvo V50 versions available

Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 ES 5dr £19,745
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 SE 5dr £21,260
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 1.6 D2 ES 5dr £21,745
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 R-Design 5dr £21,760
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 1.6D DRIVe ES Start/Stop 5dr £22,245
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 SE Lux 5dr £22,260
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 D3 ES 5dr £23,200
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 1.6 D2 R-Design 5dr £23,745
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 1.6D DRIVe SE Start/Stop 5dr £23,745
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 1.6D DRIVe SE Lux Start/Stop 5dr £24,745
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 D3 SE 5dr £24,950
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 D3 R-Design 5dr £25,450
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 D4 SE 5dr £25,700
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 D3 SE Lux 5dr £25,950
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 D4 R-Design 5dr £26,200
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.5 T5 R-Design Auto 5dr £26,240
What Car? says:2 stars out of 5
Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 D4 SE Lux 5dr £26,700
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
V50 Our pick

Volvo V50 Estate 1.6D DRIVe ES Start/Stop 5dr

A fully practical estate that emits less CO2 than most superminis, this is a hugely impressive green car - and our favourite V50.

What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

The V50 is the estate version of the S40, which is based on the same platform as the Ford Focus.

On the plus side, that means you’ll have plenty of fun driving a V50, but at the same time, it can look an expensive buy – especially when it’s not as spacious or practical as you might expect.

Because resale values aren’t great, the best way to avoid losing big bucks is to pay as little as you can when buying. That means going for an entry-level trim and one of the smaller engines, but also getting as big a discount as you can.

Our favourite is the 1.6D DRIVe model, with stop/start and its engine tuned for economy, giving sub-100g/km emissions. The basic 1.6 petrol engine needs working hard, but the larger petrol engines or the diesels are much better – albeit much more expensive as well.

Before you buy, make sure you check out the current promotions at volvocars.co.uk. You may find things such as free servicing or competitive finance offers.

Reader test team says:

Volvo V50 Estate 2.4 D5 SE 5dr

Bought this car second hand back in July and have…

Ken Whitmore

5 out of 5 stars

Volvo V50 Estate 2.0D R-Design 5dr

I have had my 09 company car (march2009) 2 1/4…

Nigel Spencer

3 out of 5 stars

Volvo V50 Estate 2.0 D4 R-Design 5dr

Having owned a current model BMW 3 Series Touring,…

Paul Davidson

5 out of 5 stars

Volvo V50 Estate 1.6D DRIVe SE Lux S/S 5dr

Had my volvo about 3 months now. Bought it when it…

Richard Bayley

4 out of 5 stars
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