Volvo's entry-level wagon comes in 2.4i and T5 trim levels, and is offered in all-wheel and front-wheel drive. The 2008 Volvo V50 has freshened exterior and interior styling. A sedan version of this car is available as the S40; and both body styles share a basic design platform with the Mazda 3.

The 2.4i trim comes with a 2.4-liter, inline-five engine that produces 168 horsepower and is coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. The high-performance T5 has a turbo-charged, 2.5-liter, inline-five engine that delivers 227 horsepower. It comes with a standard five-speed automatic transmission with Geartronic operation for manually selected gear changes. The dynamic trim package on the T5 model adds a sport suspension, a sport steering wheel and a shift knob with aluminum trim.

Volvo's V50 sport wagon wears bulging fenders, sports a grooved hood and proves its sports identity with razor sharp handling and brisk acceleration. The base 2.4i gets 16-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, a CD player and full power accessories. The T5 upgrades to include automatic climate control and a power driver seat. Luxury options include a moonroof, 17-inch wheels, premium surround-sound audio system, a sport package and navigation system. The AWD T5 includes a firmer sport suspension, which is available for other models as well. A navigation system with a pop-up dashboard screen; leather upholstery; heated seats and sunroof are optional. The V50's redesigned floor console features increased storage space, a more compact handbrake and a revised armrest for greater driver comfort. An auxiliary input with MP3 capability, now standard on all models, has been repositioned under the center armrest for greater ease of use. A high-performance audio system, and Sirius satellite radio with a complimentary six-month subscription come with T5 models. Audiophiles will delight in the new Dynaudio package that outputs 650 watts through 12 speakers. The Volvo navigation system with DVD map data and remote control remains optional.

A tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is now standard, while Volvo's blind spot information system (BLIS) is a new option available on all models. New active bi-xenon headlights, which swivel the light beam in continuous sync with steering direction, are available for T5 models. The lineup of safety features includes anti-lock brakes; traction control; anti-skid system; side-impact and head curtain air bags; active head restraints; and optional built-in booster seats for children.