It’s called the Ford C1 platform and Ford has classified it as their global compact car automobile platform.

Closer to the Swede though, the C1 platforms finds its place in the bottom of V50 estate, the S40 sedan which the V50 is based on, the beautiful C30 hatchback and the more elegant C70 coupe/cabriolet.

Apart from saving Volvo some major costs by sharing these parts, the C1 platform has also imparted its sure handling characteristics in Volvo’s line-up.

Volvo explains that the ‘V’ in the V50’s nomenclature stands for versatility. A very apt title for the estate, being able to take the form of a daily runaround to the transport for the annual family road trip.

So being the baby of the wagons and in base trim, how does this 2.0-litre Volvo match up? Well, let’s start with the car looks.

Exterior

Over the years, Volvo has managed to get itself out of its boxy, mundane and predictable design rut, somewhat transforming itself into something more of a desirable product than just being plain safe and practical. Plus securing the placement of their products in all the Twilight installments, and keeping their new C30 in full view of screaming teenage girls and their parents hasn’t hurt the brand one bit.

It’s with companies like Volvo that I find wagon’s very appealing, and it’s not hard to see with the V50.

The short overhang at the front features the front end of the S40 mid-sized sedan in all its handsome glory. The front grill sits on a raised middle portion which continues further back towards the windshield, leaving the headlamps to form its own recessed shoulder line – giving the V50 its definitive muscular and sporty stance.

Those shoulder lines continue below the side-mirrors, above both door handles and cutting a wedge out of the rear to give the rear proportions we’ve become sort of familiar with from the XC90.

The short overhangs, the subtly sloping roof, the rising rear bumper and the 17 inch multi-spoke rims round off the car’s sporty stance that the V50 captures perfectly viewed from any angle.