Volvo S60 D5 SE: Test Drive Review

Date: 02 January 2012

This is an engine that really impresses for performance versus economy.

The 2.4-litre D5 diesel - driven here in Volvo's S60 but available in others including the V70, S80 and V60 - offers 215hp yet just 124g/km of CO2 emissions and a combined economy figure that just cracks 60mpg.

For comparison, the outgoing BMW 325d's 204hp comes in at 151g/km, while the Audi A4 2.7 TDI is only available as an auto, putting out 167g/km for its 190hp. The Mercedes C250 CDI offers 204hp for 131g/km, making it the nearest the German brands can get to the Volvo.

The engine is as good as the figures suggest, although we occasionally struggled with the drivetrain in terms of making a smooth getaway.

On whole-life costs, the Volvo is beaten by the Mercedes thanks to a significant residual value difference eating up the Volvo's P11D advantage of just over £1000. But despite that, this is still an impressive effort from the Swedish brand, and beating the Germans on emissions and power at the same time is no mean feat.

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