DecodedCars2005 Volvo V50
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4dr Wagon AWD /T5, 4dr Wagon FWD /2.4i/T5
- Engines
- 2.4L 5-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 19 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 177.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,263–3,563 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Volvo V50 is a small station wagon offered with 2 engines (2.4L 5-cyl and 2.5L 5-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 178 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,263 lb (4dr Wagon AWD /T5).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 29 highway), 3% worse than the 2005 small station wagon average of 22.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,750 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the suspension.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Wagon AWD /T5 | 177.6 in | 69.7 in | 57.1 in | 104.3 in | 60.2 / 60.6 in | 3,263 lb | 58/42 |
| 4dr Wagon FWD /2.4i/T5 | 177.6 in | 69.7 in | 56.3 in | 104.3 in | 60.2 / 60.6 in | 3,563 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V50 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 404 |
| V50 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 404 |
| V50 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 29 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 404 |
| V50 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -3% | $3,750 | 404 |
| V50 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -12% | $4,100 | 444 |
| V50 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -12% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Volvo V50 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Volvo V50 (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Volvo V70 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (1)
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Nov 8, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Fix
- VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Not every 2005 Volvo V50 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Volvo V50 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Suspension — 2 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 2 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 104,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Volvo V50. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other V50 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →