29 Feb 08
10. Volvo V50
The V50 may look like a cut-down version of the popular V70, but it is actually, underneath its surface, based on the same structure as the Ford Focus. No bad thing: the Focus is an excellent car and inordinately better than the Mitsubishi Carisma , sister model to Volvo's earlier V40.
The V50 has a very different character to the Focus estate, however. It's more about style and comfort than utility, and while its handling isn't quite as rewarding - it feels heavier and its steering floatier.
It comes with a selection of very powerful, refined engines which are tuned slightly differently to those used in the Focus. It feels like a larger, more luxurious grown-up car, with its sumptuous seats, unique-to-Volvo cabin and softer ride - ideal for long motorway journeys. It's a cut above the mainstream runarounds.
