DecodedCars2006 Volvo V50
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4dr Wagon AWD /T5, 4dr Wagon FWD /2.4i/T5
- Engines
- 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, 2.4L 5-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 20 city / 29 hwy
- Length
- 177.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,117–3,263 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 2006 Volvo V50 is a small station wagon offered with 2 engines (2.5L 5-cyl turbo and 2.4L 5-cyl) 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 23 MPG combined (20 city / 29 highway), 2% better than the 2006 small station wagon average of 22.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 V50 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 V50 →
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 | 3,117 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 | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | +2% | $3,550 | 386 |
| V50 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -2% | $3,750 | 404 |
| V50 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -2% | $3,750 | 404 |
| V50 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | -2% | $3,750 | 404 |
| V50 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -11% | $4,100 | 444 |
| V50 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 20 | -11% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Volvo V50 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Volvo V50 (this car) | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Audi A3 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 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 2006 Volvo V50 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Volvo V50 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- 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 — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 140,000 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 2006 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 →