Our Fleet Test Drive: Volvo XC60 - 3rd Report
Date:
15 May 2009
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Author: Tristan Young
Volvo's XC60 and XC70 models to gain a front-drive Driv-e eco version
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Category: | Small 4x4 | P11D price: | £28,785 | Key rival: | Audi Q5 | |
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If you're keeping up-to-date with our reports on the long-term Volvo XC60, you'll know we've not been able to improve the fuel economy much through gentle driving.
Our average is sitting at 32.1mpg.
We recently discovered there are two official tyre pressure settings. One of which is labelled 'eco'.
Having adjusted the pressures accordingly - i.e. pumped them to 39PSI - we've since used three tanks of fuel on mainly motorway driving. The average for those three fills was 34.3mpg, so a 7% improvement. Worth it, but not a great leap.
The question is then, why not just have this pressure as standard?
Volvo claims the increased tyre pressure means the only payoffs are a slightly harder ride and lighter steering. We've noticed the steering change and aren't fussed, but we have yet to feel any negative effect on ride comfort.
Volvo XC60 2.4 D5 SE Lux manual | Mileage | 5111 | Claimed combined consumption | 37.7mpg | Our average consumption | 32.6mpg | P11D price | £28,785 | Model price range | £24,250-£33,740 | CO2 (tax) | 199g/km (30%) | BIK 20/40% per month | £143/£287 | Service interval | 18,000mls | Insurance | group 14 | Warranty | 3yrs/60,000mls | Boot space (min/max) | 495/1455 litres | Engine size/power | 2400cc/185PS | Top speed/0-62mph | 127mph/9.0secs | Why we’re running it | Volvo’s new baby 4x4 is the best in class and l oaded with hi-tech kit | Positive | Comfort, practicality, safety kit | Negative | Early fuel figures, turbo lag |
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