Volvo XC60 SUV - MPG, running costs & CO2

While diesel engines used to be something of a default choice for the majority of SUV customers, modern hybrid options – such as the Recharge T6 and T8 setups offered with the Volvo XC60 – mean the XC60 engine line-up has changed quite a bit since it first launched. Volvo has also added mild-hybrid technology to its remaining petrol and diesel versions of the XC60, cutting running costs without significantly increasing cost or adding weight.

Volvo XC60 MPG & CO2

The B4 diesel is a sensible all-rounder but is now only available with all-wheel drive and mild-hybrid tech, the latter helping it return up to 44.1mpg, which is a competitive figure for the class. The B4 emits CO2 emissions of 168g/km at best, depending on spec. A high Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) band will make it relatively pricey for company car drivers, but a good bet for private buyers looking to maximise their fuel economy on longer runs.

The four-wheel-drive petrol B5 doesn’t perform too badly for a mid-sized SUV, with its mild-hybrid tech helping it to achieve up to 35.7mpg – not all that far off the diesel. However, the high CO2 emissions from 180g/km again won’t appeal to company car drivers. Still, a lower price point arguably makes this the XC60 of choice for private buyers who only drive further afield occasionally. As part of an update in 2021, the B6 petrol was discontinued from the XC60 range. When it was available, this engine was the least efficient of the range, returning around 34mpg and emissions of 180g/km upwards.

Both the T6 and T8 Recharge plug-in hybrid models are intriguing propositions; low emissions drop BiK liability to a compelling level for company-car drivers, while claimed fuel economy rises to between 217-282.1mpg, thanks to an all-electric range of up to 47.8 miles and we've reviewed the XC60 Recharge in a separate review.

The starting price of the XC60 is now well above £40,000, meaning you’ll pay the VED (road tax) surcharge in years two to six, whichever model you buy. This is on top of the standard annual rate. The T6 and T8 plug-in hybrid cost £10 less in annual tax but both are far more expensive to buy than the conventional petrol and diesel models.

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Insurance group

Insurance groups for the XC60 start in group 31 for the D4 diesel engine, running to group 36 for the higher trims with either the B5 petrol or diesel engine. The plug-in hybrid T6 and T8 Recharge models sit in groups 41 and 42 respectively. This places the XC60 slightly above a 2.0-litre diesel Jaguar F-Pace (groups 27 to 33), but should make it cheaper to insure than the Porsche Macan in top groups 45-50.

Servicing

Volvo offers monthly fixed-price service plans to help spread the cost of routine maintenance over the first few years of ownership, so you won’t get stung by unexpected bills come service time. At many of its retailers, signing up for this also includes free roadside assistance as an added perk.

Warranty

Volvo offers a standard three-year/60,000-mile warranty with the XC60, which can be extended at an additional cost. This is a fairly typical warranty, but is starting to look a bit stingy when some rivals including BMW cover an unlimited mileage in the first three years. Lexus offers free cover for up to 10 years/100,000 miles, although this does stipulate main dealer servicing as the car gets older.