2011 Volvo V50 — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2011 Volvo V50 is an estate/wagon powered by a 2.5L 5-cyl turbo regular gasoline engine. It returns around 29 mpg (UK) / 24 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Volvo V50 workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2010 Volvo V50: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 29 mpg (UK) combined. No longer listed: 2.4L 5-cyl.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Estate/Wagon |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 93 cu ft (2,633 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 32 cu ft (906 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 29 combined / 25 urban / 36 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 24 combined / 21 city / 30 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 230 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,800 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2011 Volvo V50, all with the 2.5L 5-cyl turbo engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/30) | 230 | $2,800 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 93 cubic feet (about 2,633 litres) and luggage volume at 32 cubic feet (about 906 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2011 Volvo V50
Running Costs: 2011 Volvo V50
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2011 Volvo V50 at 29 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,254 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2011 Volvo V50 Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2011 Volvo V50 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Seats — campaign 10V591000, reported 22 November 2010. Risk: POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Volvo V50. The most-reported areas are Unspecified (1), Wheels (1).
Used-buyer checklist for the 2011 Volvo V50
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Seats (1 recall campaign) — Check seat adjusters, head restraints and seat-mounted sensors work, and confirm seat recalls were completed.
- Wheels (1 owner complaint) — Look for bent or cracked wheels and ask about any wheel recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Volvo V50 compare to similar estate/wagons? For context, estate/wagons in our database average around 34 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 29 mpg figure is 5 mpg below that average. Its 230 g/km CO₂ figure is 27 g/km higher than the 203 g/km average for estate/wagons on this site. This comparison is based on 194 estate/wagons in our dataset.
At 29 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 30 mpg average for Volvo models in our database. Its 230 g/km CO₂ figure is 22 g/km higher than the 208 g/km Volvo average.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2011 Volvo V50
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2011 Volvo V50 have?
It's fitted with a 2.5L 5-cyl turbo regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s5) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Volvo V50?
The most efficient configuration returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, or 24 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2011 Volvo V50 cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,800 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2011 Volvo V50 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2011 Volvo V50 (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2011 Volvo V50?
Among the 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Unspecified (1 complaint), Wheels (1 complaint). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2011 Volvo V50 have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 93 cubic feet (about 2,633 litres) and luggage volume at 32 cubic feet (about 906 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.
Is the Volvo V50's fuel economy good for an estate/wagon?
It returns around 29 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 34 mpg among the estate/wagons we track.