2010 Volvo V50 in Turner, ME - $8,990

Volvo's popular V50 sportswagon last received a comprehensive update back in the 2008 model year. For 2010, the automaker's most attainable sportswagon adds Electronic Climate Control (ECC) to the lengthy list of standard luxury and convenience features to the normally aspirated V50 2.4i.

Standard power for the V50 sportswagon is generated by a 2.4L five-cylinder engine, while the T5 R-Design is equipped with a 2.5L turbocharged five-cylinder motor.

Responding to the "wish list" of driving enthusiasts, the turbocharged V50 T5 AWD R-Design receives a standard six-speed manual transmission. The five-speed "Geartronic" micro-processor controlled automatic with "Auto-stick" remains standard on the V50 2.4i while becoming optional on the V50 T5 AWD.

Introduced last year, standard R-Design equipment gives the T5 AWD a sporting, performance-oriented edge, pushing the envelope in the compact sportswagon class. It's dressed with a unique grille with matte silver surround and R-Design logo, a sport body kit with color-coordinated side skirts and front and rear spoilers, split premium leather/flextech seating surfaces with embossed R-Design logo, aluminum sport pedals, sport shift knob, R-Design inlays, watch dial instrument cluster and sport steering wheel.

With Volvo's Intelligent Vehicle Architecture as the foundation, the V50's control hardware includes MacPherson struts, coil springs and a stabilizer bar in front, an independent, multi-link configuration at the rear with coil springs and a stabilizer bar.

Inside the cabin reflects Volvo's Scandinavian design heritage -- clean and modern with a dashboard that is minimalist almost to a fault! Seating for five in the V50 is extremely comfortable -- with the driver's manual seat adjustments coming in for special mention -- very user friendly for drivers of all sizes!

Long items can be conveniently carried inside the cabin thanks to the 60/40 split-folding rear seat and a front passenger seat that folds flat. The rear seat cushions flip up out of the way so that the seat backs will fold flat with the cargo floor. This requires the three headrests to be removed and secured into the seat cushion -- with the designed in holders. As you would expect, the cargo area of the Volvo V50 is square, carpeted and utterly usable.

A new Preferred Package, available on both V50 models, includes a power glass moonroof, power front passenger's seat and Keyless Drive. The Climate Package gains an Interior Air Quality System (IAQS) and humidity sensor for the Electronic Climate Control (ECC). Sirius satellite radio becomes optional on the V50 2.4i and is included with the renamed Multimedia Package for the T5 AWD R-Design. Volvo's DVD-based navigation system, previously optional only on the T5, is now available on the 2.4i as well.

Dimensions & specifications

Wheelbase: 103.9; overall length: 178.0; width: 69.7; height: 57.4 (FWD) 57.5 (AWD)

All vehicle measurements are in inches.

Engine: 2.4L - 168 hp at 6,000 rpm and 170 lbs-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm; 2.5L turbocharged - 227 hp at 5,000 rpm and 236 lbs-ft of torque at 1,500 - 4,800 rpm.

Transmission: five-speed adaptive automatic, six-speed manual

EPA Fuel Economy: 2.4L – 20 city/31 hwy.; 2.5L turbo – 20 city/26 hwy. (manual), 19 city/27 hwy. (automatic)

Cargo capacity: 62.6 cu. ft.

Towing capacity: 2,000 lbs.

Safety features

Dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, inflatable side-curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, electronic brake distribution, brake assist, traction control, dynamic stability control, daytime running lights, front fog lights, rear fog light, side-impact protection system, whiplash protection seating system, tire pressure monitoring system, engine immobilizer, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, and battery run-down protection.

Optional safety features include: blind spot information system, rainsensor windshield wipers, dual Xenon Gas Discharge headlights with active bending light, and navigation system.

Warranty

Basic: 4-year/50,000 mile Bumper-to-bumper

Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance: 3-year/36,000 mile

Corrosion: 10-year/100,000 mile

Roadside Assistance: 4-year/unlimited 24-hour

Pricing

The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2010 Volvo V50 sportswagon starts from $28,700 for the 2.4i and $33,050 for the T5 R. Destination charges add $850.