The 2010 Volvo V50 has allowed Volvo to offer consumers a valid alternative to the lower-priced automobiles that are available from other luxury import manufacturers. These small wagon-style Volvos are still sporting fresh enhancements from 2008 - and are better than they have ever been before. In fact, in 2008, the V50 received what can almost be considered a complete overhaul.

The Volvo V50 for 2010 has been designed for safe family traveling, and as such offers a wide array of standard and optional safety features. The popular Volvo BLIS system for blind spot monitoring, Bi-Xenon headlamps, loads of standard airbags, electronic traction and stability control, tire pressure monitoring and more all contribute. There's even a system that electronically activates the blinkers in the event of any collision. And while that in itself may not sound like much, when it comes to safety, it's the small things that matter most.

There are two trims available for the V50 Volvo in 2010: the 2.4i Front-wheel Drive Station Wagon and the higher-performance T5 R-Design AWD Station Wagon. Both are designed with compact exterior measurements (178 x 69.7 x 57.4 inches l x w x h), yet surprisingly spacious interiors. In fact, they are very similar in size to the Honda Civic. The V50's Scandinavian styling offers a clean, streamlined look and feel. Materials are of very high quality and all controls are optimally simplistic to operate. Overall, the interior of the V50 is probably the best in its class.

Competition for the 2010 V50 from Volvo includes the Audi A4, the Subaru Outback, the Volkswagen Passat and the BMW 328. Manufacturer's suggested pricing ranges from $28,700 up to $33,050. Both versions travel atop of a 103.9 inch wheelbase and have an approximate curb weight of 3400 pounds. The base trim yields 20/31 MPG while the T5 delivers 20/26.

Sitting inside of the Volvo V50, both trims presents 39 inches of frontal headroom, 55 inches of shoulder room, 54 inches of hip room and 41.6 inches of legroom. Maximum cargo capacity is 44.2 cubic feet with the rear seating folded flat. Raise that seating up to carry up to five full grown adults in more than adequate comfort and luxury.

Base models are equipped with a 2.4L 168hp (6000 RPM) 170 lb-ft (4400 RPM) inline 5-cylinder engine. T5 trims are surprisingly effective performers with their 2.5L 227hp (5000 RPM) 236 lb-ft (1500 RPM) I-5. Both present a maximum towing capacity of 2000 pounds.

The 2010 Volvo V50 is a small station wagon that offers Scandinavian elegance, high levels of safety, impressive fuel efficiency and excellent styling standards. Volvo has earned the right to be considered one of the planet's finest auto manufacturers. If you're in the market for a family vehicle, then you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to consider the V50 further.