Volvo V50 Sportswagon Review
Published: 15th March 2006
Volvo V50 T5 SE Sport
In Car Entertainment and Satellite Navigation
The Volvo V50 T5 SE is equipped with a High Performance Sound Audio System (6 x CD/Radio, 4 x 40W Amplifier and 8 speakers) as standard. It was an excellent sounding system and particularly suited to the cabin acoustics.
Our test car was also equipped with the Communications Pack (£2,500 option) which includes Satellite Navigation, Volvo On Call and a GSM Integrated phone. The Volvo system is superb, the colour navigation screen slides up and down from the centre of the dashboard and is operated either by a remote control or from the steering wheel. It takes sometime to get used to the steering wheel controls but at least you do not have to take your hands away from the wheel. Although touch screen systems such as those fitted to Jaguar and Ford vehicles are possibly easier to use the Volvo system out trumps them with the positioning of the screen as it can be seen without taking your eyes off the road.
Rivals
- Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon, Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring, Honda Accord Tourer, Jaguar X-TYPE Estate & Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate
What We Liked
- Exterior & interior styling
- Performance
- Bi-Xenon headlights (£850 option)
- Communications pack (Including Satellite Navigation, Volvo On Call, GSM integrated phone £2,500 option)
What We Disliked
- Lack of internal storage & boot space
- Lateral cabin space cramped
- Tiny door bins
