Fleet World Fleet: Volvo XC60 D4 R-Design
The XC60 is Volvo’s best-seller for fleet and after six months and 4,000 miles of living with this D4 R-Design, it’s not difficult to see why.
A premium all-rounder, this XC60 has been as easy to drive, as it has been to live with. It was as happy pounding motorways, as it was undertaking urban trips during lockdown; although, the ride on the R-Design’s sport chassis and standard 19-inch alloy wheels was a bit stiff at low speed.
However, some of the most comfortable seats in the UK car market still saw me choose the XC60 over other test cars, especially for longer trips.
The 190hp, 2.0-litre D4 diesel was a more-than-adequate performer too, which in two-wheel drive form sees the CO2 dip to 129g/km. Did I miss four-wheel drive in one of the wettest winters on record? Apart from the odd frustrating wheelspin, when accelerating hard out of junctions – not really. Although, the added extra traction might have been welcome if I had seen more snow and ice.
R-Design is a high spec too, although the £525 Winter Pack, £2,000 Xenium Pack and £850 Harman Kardon sound system, were options that enriched the ownership experience. Demerits were few, but even with careful driving, I only ever got 30mpg, some way short of the official figure. Also, despite the R-Design’s sporty chassis, look and interior, it wasn’t that involving to drive – although that didn’t bother me too much.
With a car as good as the XC60, it’s no wonder Volvo won our Fleet Rising Star award this year. It will be missed.
P11d (BiK): £40,950 (33%) MPG/CO2:47.9mpg (WLTP)/129g/km (NEDC Correlated) Test MPG: 30mpg
Martyn Collins
Martyn has 18 years experience as a motoring journalist, working across a wide selection of B2B and consumer titles. A car enthusiast since his early years, Martyn has a particular interest in the latest models and technology and in his spare time enjoys driving his own Minis.
