2008 Volvo V50 Safety Review [ 2007 ]
in Affordable Full Size Wagons
Based on analysis of 32 V50 reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Volvo V50 has not been crash tested by the federal government or the insurance industry. However, the sedan version of the wagon, the S40, is nearly identical to the V50 and earns good crash test ratings. MSN reports, "Like all Volvos, the V50 is loaded with safety features."
The federal government's National Highway Transportation Safety Administration tested the S40, giving it four out of five stars for driver protection in front crashes and five stars for front passenger protection in side impact crashes. In side impact crash tests, the S40 earned perfect scores for both front and rear seat passenger protection. Automobile Magazine says the V50 is "a tight little package, but Volvo set out to make it as safe as the full-size S80."
Accident Avoidance
The 2008 V50 comes standard with a number of accident avoidance features, including anti-lock brakes and Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC), a feature that impressed most reviewers. About.com says the system "was almost impossible to beat." Reviewers were particularly impressed with the V50's stability when the standard stability and traction control was combined with the optional all-wheel drive system. On their test drive, Edmunds found the two systems "worked together to keep the energetic wagon from breaking loose from the pavement." The Auto Channel took an AWD V50 on a snow covered slalom course and reports, "We were able to drive the V50 the same as we would have any other car on dry pavement, if a bit slower."
Crash Protection
Should an accident occur, the V50 offers more than Volvo's reputation to keep passengers safe. The Kansas City Star says, "Volvo has always been a leader in safety. To that end, four grades of steel are used in the V50 to provide maximum safety for the car's occupants." Even though the V50 isn't a large car, Automobile Magazine reports "crumple zones have been stashed wherever they could fit, such as between the front seats. There lies a deformable box that absorbs side-impact energy via pushrods inside the seats. Don't be surprised if you get rear-ended and the glovebox implodes."
In addition to the different types of steel and the innovative crumple zones, the V50 comes with standard front and side air bags, as well as side curtain air bags. Optional booster seats are integrated into the rear seats to position children for optimum safety, and the front passenger air bag has a weight sensor to keep it from deploying when a child, or someone small enough to be injured by the air bag, is in the seat.
