What Edmunds.com says...
If you don't mind settling for the base engine, the 2009 Volvo V50 is a stylish and relatively affordable alternative to German sport wagons. However, the turbocharged model is expensive, and its performance pales in comparison to similarly priced competitors.
Pros
Excellent seats, posh interior, ample safety features, nearly as much cargo capacity as a compact SUV, available turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive.
Cons
Pricey in T5 AWD R-Design trim, tepid acceleration with base engine, handling falls short of true sport wagons, so-so safety scores.
What's new
The 2009 Volvo V50 can only be had with a five-speed automatic transmission, as the slow-selling manual transmission has been discontinued. The front-wheel-drive T5 model is also no longer available. And Volvo has made a number of features standard this year, though that means a commensurate hike in price.