Volvo V50 MPG by year — every rating on record

The Volvo V50 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 7 model years, from 2005 to 2011. Across those years its best rated version returned 24 mpg (2009) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2005). The EPA record holds 36 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Station Wagons.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Volvo V50 placed highest in 2006 at #8 of 16, and lowest in 2011 at #17 of 23. It spent 2 of its 7 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 36 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What V50 fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2011 Volvo V50 burns 479 to 479 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2011 model year is $2,600 to $2,600 a year in fuel, or $1,750 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Small Station Wagons

Across the 142 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Station Wagons, the median best combined rating is 27 mpg. At 24 mpg the Volvo V50 is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $186 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

• All Small Station Wagons rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Volvo nameplates

Every Volvo model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.