2008 Volvo V50 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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When Volvo introduced the V40 to America at the turn of the millenium, the Swedish carmaker envisioned the model as the premium wagon in its lineup. The V40 changed to the V50 for the 2005 model year and hasn't looked back. For 2008, the V50 gets a significant redesign inside and out. Exterior changes include a new grille, spoiler, headlights, taillights, and a color-matched rear bumper. Interior changes include more storage space and a cool-sounding Hazard Warning System. The V50 comes in 3 trims: the 2.4i, T5, and T5 AWD. The T5 and T5 AWD both get a new turbocharged 227-horsepower inline-five engine.
Gas mileage across the three trims averages out to 19 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway. The V50 offers a choice of five-speed automatic, five-speed manual, or six-speed manual, depending on the trim. All three trims have four doors and seat five. The T5 and T5 AWD are the more premium trims, with more standard features and an optional navigation system. All trims include basic standard safety features, including ABS brakes, traction control, and stability control. Expect to find around 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space in each trim.
What do the critics have to say about the '08 Volvo V50? Overall, they like this relatively stylish wagon. It looks good, handles well, and offers an overall comfortable ride. On the other hand, the base-level 2.4i could use some extra giddyup, and resale value depreciates a bit quickly. Also, pay attention when you add options; the extra cost can seriously inflate the final bill. Actual drivers tend to rate the V50 more highly than professional reviewers, citing its good fuel mileage and safety features. In any event, industry experts and consumers agree the Volvo V50 has maintained its place as one of the top upscale wagons on the market.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2008 Volvo V50
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by Ryan P
Oct 13, 2009
Its acceleration is not urgent and as it goes around corners it glides rather then jurkes u in the derection and for £25000 its money well spent for it is a very fun car to drive and keep and i would say it is the best family car i own.Oct 13, 2009
by Jukka K
Feb 24, 2009
Nice ride, Powershift gearbox is the one and only you should choose in case you even thinking of Volvo. Performance is appropriate for a diesel and the torgue is ok.
It's fun to drive and smooth like a new born's butt. Feb 24, 2009
by Mikael V
Aug 01, 2008
My Volvo V50 is a smart sporty wagon with great comfort and nice styling, on the exterior as well as in the interior. It's very nimble on the road and turns into corners with precision and brio. The petrol five-cylinder has a nice character and runs smoothly and sounds great during acceleration. My only dislikes are high fuel consumption and NVH in the rear seat (but the later should have been improved since the update). There's also a great sounding audio system (Volvo's High Performance). Aug 01, 2008
User rating:
by Ryan P
Oct 13, 2009
Its acceleration is not urgent and as it goes around corners it glides rather then jurkes u in the derection and for £25000 its money well spent for it is a very fun car to drive and keep and i would say it is the best family car i own.Oct 13, 2009
by Jukka K
Feb 24, 2009
Nice ride, Powershift gearbox is the one and only you should choose in case you even thinking of Volvo. Performance is appropriate for a diesel and the torgue is ok.
It's fun to drive and smooth like a new born's butt. Feb 24, 2009
by Mikael V
Aug 01, 2008
My Volvo V50 is a smart sporty wagon with great comfort and nice styling, on the exterior as well as in the interior. It's very nimble on the road and turns into corners with precision and brio. The petrol five-cylinder has a nice character and runs smoothly and sounds great during acceleration. My only dislikes are high fuel consumption and NVH in the rear seat (but the later should have been improved since the update). There's also a great sounding audio system (Volvo's High Performance). Aug 01, 2008
by Kevin B
May 28, 2008
V50 Summum 2.0D PowershiftMay 28, 2008
What users have asked
V50 sudden burning smell after start and more gass
I have bought a used V50 2008 1.6D . Yesterday when I was driving, a little uphil after a signal. I start the car and start in first gear. There was a car behind me, so I v leg on the brake. Since the car was not going fast and signal light going to read again, I press the gass little more. Then I got burning smell for long time. Is it a problem? What can cause this problem? I am new to car :(
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2008 Volvo V50 Pricing
Original MSRP
$26,815 to $31,565Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: deactivation switch · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: Sirius ready · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 80 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Manual adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Paint: special factory paint · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat: two built-in · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Satellite communications: On-Call (Volvo)
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: deactivation switch · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Dynaudio premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 12 · 80 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 8
Exterior Features
Paint: pearl · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlight cleaners: high pressure washers · Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat: two built-in · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Satellite communications: On-Call (Volvo)
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: deactivation switch · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Dynaudio premium brand speakers · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 12 · 80 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 11.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.0 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: manual · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Limited slip differential: center
Exterior Features
Paint: pearl · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlight cleaners: high pressure washers · Headlights: self-leveling
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4 · Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat: two built-in · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: cloth
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Satellite communications: On-Call (Volvo)
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheels: chrome
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent