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Volvo XC60 Driv-e: Test Drive Review
Date: 14 July 2009 | Author: Tristan Young
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BusinessCar has been running a long-term test of an XC60 for the past six months and we've found the car to be just about ideal if you need to cram lots of things into your car, have total comfort and refinement and a reasonably good drive.
Our praise has been glowing. With one exception, the car's efficiency. This translates to a high CO2 (and therefore tax band) and low fuel figures.
Volvo has now solved this issue with the introduction of a new engine and removal of the four-wheel drive system. This leaves a 175PS 2.4-litre diesel powering the front wheels. Vitally it's now below the 161g/km capital allowance tax barrier. It also means a jump of 10mpg and drop of eight tax bands on our 183PS diesel 4x4 long termer, and the new model comes complete with Volvo's eco Driv-e badging.
What's more, due to the improved power delivery in the new 2.4 diesel the Driv-e version feels faster than the older more powerful car because you don't need to change gear as much to get to the power. This power delivery is so good that it is almost to the point where you wish for 4x4 system for extra grip. And you can have this engine with a 4x4 system, but it's not an eco Driv-e car due to the extra weight of the system increasing emissions.
All this has to make the Driv-e version of the XC60 our favourite business car in this class.
