Volvo XC60 running costs and mpg

27 May 2020 by Keith WR Jones

Parkers overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 4.5

Miles per pound (mpp)

Petrol engines	6.0 - 8.2 mpp
Diesel engines	7.1 - 9.7 mpp
Plug-in hybrid petrol engines	17.7 - 24.1 mpp

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only, and typical current fuel or electricity costs.

Based on "Weighted" mpg; figures depend on the proportion of miles driven in pure electric mode and may vary widely

Fuel economy

Petrol engines	28.0 - 38.6 mpg
Diesel engines	35.3 - 47.9 mpg
Plug-in hybrid petrol engines	83.1 - 113.0 mpg

Recharge models cheapest to run on paper
D4 diesel likely cheapest in real world
Fuel economy not that impressive

When it comes to running costs, the majority of the XC60 range is firmly middle of the road in our experience - not helped because its heavy (the lightest is 1,756kg), all have automatic gearboxes and the majority of them have all-wheel drive as standard. This is further evidenced by the miles per pound figures, the impressive end of which are skewed by the plug-in hybrids, with an overall span of 6.0 - 24.1 mpp.

Under the more rigorous WLTP testing regime, the Recharge T6 and T8 perform best with a claimed average of 100.9-113.0mpg, although that drops to 85.6mpg for the punchier Polestar Engineered version. They also have a claimed electric-only driving range of 28-32 miles.

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Of the non-plug-in range, it's the non-hybrid D4 that impresses most with claims of 42.2-47.1mpg, but then it doesn't have the fuel-sapping compexity of the AWD system.

In the mild-hybrid range, the B4 (D) is rated at 39.2-46.3mpg, with the B5 (D) at 39.2-45.6mpg, so no great penalty for opting for the stronger engine.

Worst in terms of efficiency is the 300hp B6 (P) at 29.4-33.2mpg, comfortably beaten by the 250hp B5 (P) front-wheel drive (33.6-38.2mpg) and all-wheel drive (31.7-36.7mpg).

Is it eco-friendly?

If your journeys are primarily shorter, then a Recharge model could prove very effective for eco credentials. While running in electric mode, the XC60 produces no CO2 emissions at all, but its overall official figures are as low as 55-64g/km for the Recharge T6.

Of the more conventional models, the D4 is best at 157-176g/km of CO2, with the wooden spoon being awarded to the B6 (P) at 192-218g/km.

Is the XC60 reliable?

Looks and feels incredibly well-made
Four official recalls so far, though
Three-year warranty as standard

Based on the same Scalable Product Architecture – known as SPA – underpinnings as the larger Volvo XC90, S90 and V90, the XC60 shares its underlying technology with other models. While still relatively new, it has been in production for a little while now, any initial kinks will hopefully have been ironed out.

Nevertheless, the DVSA vehicle insprectorate has deemed it necessary to issue four recalls since the Mk2 XC60's launch: two related to software issues, another for a sticking tailgate, while the fourth concerned a potential loss of power while driving

Remedial work should by now have been undertaken, but it's worth checking wth a Volvo dealer if you are considering buying a used model.

Those aside, the cars we've tested feel solid, they don't seem to develop squeaks or rattles after prolonged use and new ones come with the benefit of a three-year warranty for peace of mind.