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modern hybrid options – such as the Recharge T6 and T8 setups offered with the Volvo XC60 – mean car makers have withdrawn formerly popular options. Volvo has also added mild-hybrid technology to remaining petrol and diesel versions of the XC60, cutting running costs without significantly increasing the cost or 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.

The turbocharged petrol B5 doesn’t perform too badly for a mid-sized SUV, with its mild-hybrid tech helping it to 37.2mpg and 35.3mpg in WLTP tests for front- and all-wheel drive models respectively.. The high CO2 emissions starting at 173g/km won’t appeal to business buyers. Fuel and company-car tax costs will be even higher with the range-topping petrol B6, which can only muster 32.1mpg on the WLTP test and chugs out 198g/km of CO2

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 100.9-113mpg, with an all-electric range of up to 32 miles. You might find it difficult to achieve those figures unless you drive carefully and ensure the battery is charged on a regular basis. Both Recharge models are also considerably more expensive to buy than the regular petrol and diesel models.

The starting price of the XC60 is now above £40,000, meaning you’ll pay the VED surcharge whichever model you buy; expect a bill of £480 or £490 the first five times you renew your tax, depending on the exact model you buy. 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 in Momentum trim, running to group 36 for the R-Design Pro and Inscription Pro 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 bills come service time. At many of its retailers, signing up to 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.