V50, big enough?
Discussion
I've been looking for an estate to replace the family MPV (I know but the wife loved it) and after being amazed at how small the present Accord is in the load-bay (406 litres seats up) I've found a V50 that looks interesting (417 litres seats up for those who're wondering).
Now, I parked next to a V50 last night and the owner had kindly left the luggage cover open, are they really big enough for a family of four? My kids are 2 and 5 so while we've ditched the pram we still have plenty of 'stuff' to cart around. We also go camping so need a reasonably big car.
I'll also consider a 3 series (460 litres) but really don't want to go down the BMW route if possible.
Also, what is mpg like on the 2.0d (57 plate car) as opposed to the D5 (57 plate again) both manual.
Cheers, Si
Now, I parked next to a V50 last night and the owner had kindly left the luggage cover open, are they really big enough for a family of four? My kids are 2 and 5 so while we've ditched the pram we still have plenty of 'stuff' to cart around. We also go camping so need a reasonably big car.
I'll also consider a 3 series (460 litres) but really don't want to go down the BMW route if possible.
Also, what is mpg like on the 2.0d (57 plate car) as opposed to the D5 (57 plate again) both manual.
Cheers, Si
MPG - motorway speeds = 45-48, week away in Wales (from Derbyshire) = 56.
Load space - take the load cover out (10 second job) and space increase as you can push taller items all the way up against the rear seat backs. Window tints will help obscure what's in the boot without the load cover. The boot takes a large offroad pushchair, powered coolbox (there's power in the back!), suitcase etc etc.
Load space - take the load cover out (10 second job) and space increase as you can push taller items all the way up against the rear seat backs. Window tints will help obscure what's in the boot without the load cover. The boot takes a large offroad pushchair, powered coolbox (there's power in the back!), suitcase etc etc.
Gary,
Thanks, I take it those are the figures for a 2.0?
We're making do with a Quinney Zapp push-chair at the moment so although boot space isn't a vital issue day to day it will be a few times a year, although I guess a roofbox will solve that.
I'll pop and have a look at it I think.
Thanks, I take it those are the figures for a 2.0?
We're making do with a Quinney Zapp push-chair at the moment so although boot space isn't a vital issue day to day it will be a few times a year, although I guess a roofbox will solve that.
I'll pop and have a look at it I think.
I bought mine when my 2 kids were a similar age and it's fine. I agree that taking out the luggage cover makes a huge difference.
It isn't the biggest car, so you may be a bit disappointed on space compared to a mpv, but you could always buy or hire a roof box for the 2 or 3 times a year you cart lots of stuff around. Much better having to drive a van with windows around all the time!
It isn't the biggest car, so you may be a bit disappointed on space compared to a mpv, but you could always buy or hire a roof box for the 2 or 3 times a year you cart lots of stuff around. Much better having to drive a van with windows around all the time!
I had a V50 a few years back, petrol so can't comment on economy, although I did have the 2.0D engine in a Mondeo and it was pretty economical. I now have a D5 in a V70 and although its less economical, it makes up for that in performance....and sounds ok, for a diesel.
With regard space in a V50. I'd agree with others, in that with the load cover in place, it does seriously impact on the ability to carry larger items, so I never had mine in place. I'd also say check what interior storage is like. I never had a problem, but have heard people with families complain its a bit poor.
With regard space in a V50. I'd agree with others, in that with the load cover in place, it does seriously impact on the ability to carry larger items, so I never had mine in place. I'd also say check what interior storage is like. I never had a problem, but have heard people with families complain its a bit poor.
I had a V50 for three years as a work vehicle and was very fond of it but not the most economical in 2.0D guise and actually quite narrow for boot space. Biggest surprise is how much more useful the car that replaced it has been. A new shape Passat 2.0 Tdi Bluemotion Saloon. Rear seats fold at the touch of a button and getting nearly 800 miles to a tank (58.8 mpg) after 15000 miles. Not nice to drive and a recent spell in a new S40 D2 (left the wife's XC90 in for a service) suggests a nicer car to drive but not so economical or practical.
Hmm,
Thamks for all your comments. I just keep thinking the V50 might be a bit small.
I've owned a Passat before and I'm not keen on revisiting one.....
I'm not too keen on taking the luggage cover out for some reason, we only keep junk in there (pushchair, shopping bags etc) but even so it kind of against my SOPs to display anything in the car when left.
Thamks for all your comments. I just keep thinking the V50 might be a bit small.
I've owned a Passat before and I'm not keen on revisiting one.....
I'm not too keen on taking the luggage cover out for some reason, we only keep junk in there (pushchair, shopping bags etc) but even so it kind of against my SOPs to display anything in the car when left.
WeirdNeville said:
We run one at work. It's a nice car in 2.0D six speed format.
Boot space is better than the equavalent 3 series with less intrusion at the side.
I'll see if I can get a photo over the next few days to illustrate the space.
Cheers, that'd be great. The 3 series is listed as having more bootspace, 460 litres as opposed to 417, seats up.Boot space is better than the equavalent 3 series with less intrusion at the side.
I'll see if I can get a photo over the next few days to illustrate the space.
I'm just intrigued as to how removing the luggage cover will liberate much more useable space.
Ok, not the best photos, but here we go:
The load cover retracted:
I didn't have my tape measure on me sadly!
To be honest it looks like a good boot size. No lip and a flat load space, and the suspension towers don't intrude much. The load cover is odd - the bar is about 8" further back than the back of the seats so removing it makes the space more useable.
I'd happily get the stuff you list in it for a camping trip. I have a E36 touring at present and do similar trips. The boot on my car is similarly sized but more awkwardly proportioned. I'm trying to persuade the Mrs that we need a T5 V50 in our life for the dog/baby.
Sorry - Photos are massive, will try and resize when I'm on a proper 'puter and not my phone.
The load cover retracted:
I didn't have my tape measure on me sadly!
To be honest it looks like a good boot size. No lip and a flat load space, and the suspension towers don't intrude much. The load cover is odd - the bar is about 8" further back than the back of the seats so removing it makes the space more useable.
I'd happily get the stuff you list in it for a camping trip. I have a E36 touring at present and do similar trips. The boot on my car is similarly sized but more awkwardly proportioned. I'm trying to persuade the Mrs that we need a T5 V50 in our life for the dog/baby.
Sorry - Photos are massive, will try and resize when I'm on a proper 'puter and not my phone.
Edited by WeirdNeville on Monday 26th December 18:45
WeirdNeville said:
Ok, not the best photos, but here we go:
The load cover retracted:
I didn't have my tape measure on me sadly!
To be honest it looks like a good boot size. No lip and a flat load space, and the suspension towers don't intrude much. The load cover is odd - the bar is about 8" further back than the back of the seats so removing it makes the space more useable.
I'd happily get the stuff you list in it for a camping trip. I have a E36 touring at present and do similar trips. The boot on my car is similarly sized but more awkwardly proportioned. I'm trying to persuade the Mrs that we need a T5 V50 in our life for the dog/baby.
Sorry - Photos are massive, will try and resize when I'm on a proper 'puter and not my phone.
WN, many thanks for taking the time to post those photos, I'll give the guy a call on Wednesday and take a look.The load cover retracted:
I didn't have my tape measure on me sadly!
To be honest it looks like a good boot size. No lip and a flat load space, and the suspension towers don't intrude much. The load cover is odd - the bar is about 8" further back than the back of the seats so removing it makes the space more useable.
I'd happily get the stuff you list in it for a camping trip. I have a E36 touring at present and do similar trips. The boot on my car is similarly sized but more awkwardly proportioned. I'm trying to persuade the Mrs that we need a T5 V50 in our life for the dog/baby.
Sorry - Photos are massive, will try and resize when I'm on a proper 'puter and not my phone.
Edited by WeirdNeville on Monday 26th December 18:45
I've had two V50s, both 2.0D, one manual, the current one Powershift.
We only have one child, now grown up and mosstly living away from home, uni. But still need a load lugger.
In my honest opinion the one big fault with the V50 is that it's only big enough as an estate for the lugging jobs, once you drop the back seats, but with back seats up it just doesn't cut it for three of us, never mind four.
Previous estates I had had were Mondeo, Vectra, and various Pugs, all were big enough, but I'd got fed up of trundling around in big barge estates and wanted something a bit smaller.
Currently looking at buying my own after years of company cars, and despite a reasonable price from the leasing company not going to buy my V50, as good as it is. Looking at a Superb, which should tell you all you need to know what I think of the load space.
Interesting that you've discounted the Accord as that was one candidate on my list of vehicles to be considered.
We only have one child, now grown up and mosstly living away from home, uni. But still need a load lugger.
In my honest opinion the one big fault with the V50 is that it's only big enough as an estate for the lugging jobs, once you drop the back seats, but with back seats up it just doesn't cut it for three of us, never mind four.
Previous estates I had had were Mondeo, Vectra, and various Pugs, all were big enough, but I'd got fed up of trundling around in big barge estates and wanted something a bit smaller.
Currently looking at buying my own after years of company cars, and despite a reasonable price from the leasing company not going to buy my V50, as good as it is. Looking at a Superb, which should tell you all you need to know what I think of the load space.
Interesting that you've discounted the Accord as that was one candidate on my list of vehicles to be considered.
Edited by F i F on Monday 2nd January 22:45
My kids are 3 & 5, bought my wife a v50 four years ago. I took the boot liner out and the foam around where spare wheel would be, I put a piece of hardboard down and a rubber mat - this has left us with a huge boot.
I really like the car, it drives great and it's small enough for my wife to park. I actually drive it far more than my own car, as kids are more comfortable in it.
To be honest the stat figures of the boot are unfair, as on paper my M6 has a bigger boot, but in reality it doesn't.
I really like the car, it drives great and it's small enough for my wife to park. I actually drive it far more than my own car, as kids are more comfortable in it.
To be honest the stat figures of the boot are unfair, as on paper my M6 has a bigger boot, but in reality it doesn't.
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