Volvo V60 review - MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

Prices for the Volvo V60 range from around £35,000 to £57,000, and you get a decent amount of kit for the money. However, Volvo does offer a variety of option packs and extras that can ramp up prices, so be careful when speccing up your car.

It's worth noting that the majority of V60s come in under £40,000, so annual road tax is £145. Those petrol and diesel versions that do break the £40k barrier (including cars with options added that total more than £40k) cost £465 in road tax for years 2-6. This is the same story as with the V60's rivals.

The most efficient V60 is the D3 manual, which has claimed economy of 48.7 to 55.4mpg and emissions of 117g/km. Add 18-inch wheels and emissions rise to 119g/km, while 19 or 20-inch wheels change this to 122g/km.

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Add the eight-speed Geartronic auto, and the D3 manages 45.6 to 51.4mpg and 120g/km with 17-inch wheels, 123g/km on 18-inch wheels and 126g/km on 19 or 20-inch wheels.

The D4 diesel isn't much different in terms of economy and emissions. The D4 manual has economy that's only a tenth or two poorer than the D3, and the same quoted emissions figures. The D3 auto doesn't suffer from as big a drop in efficiency as the D3 auto, and is actually a fraction more efficient than the lower powered diesel.

In comparison, the T5 is more about performance than economy. Cars with this engine have 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, and economy and emissions are 34 to 38.7mpg and 157g/km with these fitted. Add 19 or 20-inch wheels, and the emissions figure changes to 160g/km. Of course all of these figures are under test conditions, and you're unlikely to match them in the real world. Compared to rivals, the V60 isn't as efficient as some versions of the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes C-Class Estate, but it's not far behind.

The most powerful model in the lineup, the T8, manages to return respectable figures thanks to its plug-in hybrid powertrain. Official economy figures sit at 113 to 166mpg, but these are best taken with a pinch of salt – getting close to these will require fully charged batteries and a light right foot. In our test – incorporating a combination of backroad and urban driving – the T8 returned an average of 80mpg. CO2 figures sit at 39g/km – very good news for company car users.  

Insurance groups

Volvo's focus on safety helps the V60 keep insurance groups low, with cars falling into Groups 24-32. This is slightly lower than insurance ratings for its rivals.

Depreciation

The Volvo V60 is expected to hold on to around 40-45 per cent of its value after 3 years/36,000 miles, depending on which model you go for. The best performers are the D4 Momentum versions, although the V60's figures aren't brilliant when you consider the older BMW 3 Series Touring holds on to more of its value.