V60 - D2, D3 or D4?
 

I have noticed that the 2013 tax and mpg listings for the D2, D3 and D4 are the same across the board. I was looking to go for for the D2 1.6 litre engine but as I found this car to be a little under-powered for the amount of commuting I do, it would be good to know the true mpg for the 2.0 litre variants?

Now that the D2, D3 and D4 cost the same in tax, what is the "real" mpg for these cars? If the true mpg is the same for all variants, surely it is a no brainer, go for the D4?

It would be great to hear comments from members in the know. Thanks.

Just go for the D5 and enjoy yourself. Life is too damn short. :D

I've been running a V60 163bhp D3 manual (which would now be badged as the D4) for 24,000 miles in 21 months.

You can see my ownership impressions here: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=174072.

The car has averaged a genuine 46.9mpg in my ownership (i.e. measured at the pump, not on the computer). My driving is about 35% motorway / open road, 65% urban journeys of under 10 miles. I like to use the performance, and there is quite a lot of it to use :)

It has to be a D4 then?
 

It will be a company car and 2.0 litre max allowed on scheme. It is looking like a D4 then? Thanks guys.

Any further feedback from members would be greatly appreciated. I will be placing my order next couple of days. I was tempted to go for a BMW 3 series Efficient Dynamics due to proven economy + performance but put off by saloon-only/lack practicality, lack of comfort v V60 plus cost of extras. For me the V60 has it all and it is just down to diesel engine choice.

I have done 10,000 miles in 6 months in my D2 equivalent, it was called a DRIVe model when I picked it up. I am averaging 48-50mpg overall. On motorway journeys with just me in the car I manage 58mpg, with a full car it is 50-52mpg. My day to day journeys are mainly country lanes. The above are real figures not the computer.

When I ordered mine there was a marked difference between the emissions and mpg of the engine choices. Now they all seem to be the same, explanation anyone who is technical? Anyway, in your shoes I would go for the D4. I don't see the point of the D2 engine anymore if the figures from Volvo are to be believed. Even the pricing is close enough for it not to be a major issue. Let us know which one you choose.

this will change for MY2014 though the D2 emissions will fall further than the rest bringing it down to around 110. ;)

MY2013 yes they are all the same even the D5 is only 1g/km above the rest of the engine range.

You are quite correct but the difference in BIK between the D2 and D3/D4 is then only 1% which is again so marginal as to not worth worrying about. Going back two years or so the difference was about 4-5% and that was worth noticing.

I would look VERY closely at the 'Business Edition' spec, as it's got most of the toys (apart from satnav) and the list price is very tax friendly.

Business Edition V60 - SatNav?
 

Hi Craig

I have seen a couple of posts stating that the Business Edition does not come with SatNav. The brochure can be quite misleading when you look at the listings but I can reveal that this spec DOES actually come with Integrated SatNav as standard making it a no brainer for me. Many of the other specs have a version listed with and without SatNav, which makes the Business Edition look as though it does not have it but it does!

From what I have seen, this spec is £5-6K under the SE spec but comes with standard basic alloys, less chrome bits inside and out, probably a darker plastic interior (No aluminium), no chrome bits on the steering wheel but includes all the gizmos and everything I need. Looks like a steal to me and I cannot understand why folks at my workplace go for a German badge, nil extras and less comfort. Shame I have to wait until August for my new D4 :(

Do you have to wait because of the order time for the car, or is that when your current arrangement ends?

I only have 3 niggles with my V60 -- 1) no clutch footrest 2) the radio controls are not well thought-out and 3) the Business Edition wasn't available when I got mine :) it would have saved me loads of BIK tax!

The point of the business edition is it has Sat nav and Bluetooth. :) it was designed to compete with other versions of the german ones.

Agreed on all three points. I wonder if the new info gizmo Volvo have announced is going to be any better?

I got a hand me down Citroen C4 Picasso company car, which I despise and I am counting down the days until it gets replaced August. I am about to finalise an order any day now but will check out the foot rest issue. I was close to ordering a Beemer but prefer the Volvo comfort and practicality. Think I will go for the D4 and pray the mpg is not a disaster. Just too worried the D2 will be short of pace but tempted by economy. I would prefer to have more cast iron economy comparisons but this information just isn't available.

Check the 'Real MPG' register at HonestJohn.co.uk: according to that, V60 D2 owners report real averages of 49mpg; D3 (163bhp, now badged as D4) report an average of around 46mpg.

Both these figures agree with the figures that Harvey and me get from our respective cars.

The V60 is a big car -- despite appearances it's only an inch or two smaller in width and length than a Mondeo -- and heavy too, at 1600+kg. With that in mind, it is remarkably economical.

Thanks
 

Cheers Craig. D4 it is. 3 mpg or so is not worth the drop to a 1.6 unit. Thanks

If I was ordering now I would do the same. I am not suffering in my 1.6d, it really is very good, but the extra grunt is always nice to make the journey smoother.

I would go with the bigger engine. The 1.6 feels quick enough day to day, but I'm finding the economy to be pretty poor. Mine is on the 18 month lease deal, so I can live with it til November, but if I had bought this with my own hard earned then I would be disappointed.

I also made the mistake of going for the R-Design spec which looks really good, but has appalling ride quality, and I suspect that those 18" wheels may worsen the fuel economy

old post but love this thread.

I am mist to buy v60 or mercedes CLA estate for my private hire next year and min age year 2016. my concern is mpg (above 50mpg +-) and taxes and must automatic (still own v70 t5 manual for fun). v60 no knowledge what is different between d2,d3,d4. should i go with CLA or V60?

currently, own xc90 d5 year 03. still sweet engine and gbox at mileage 204900 today.

any advice is most welcome and thanks to you in advance.

I had v50 1.6 drive now got v69 cross country d3
Twin turbo what a difference in cars for comfort power is there if you need it

I'd avoid the PSA D2, the VEA version feels much more powerful off the line and up hills.

I have the VEA 2.0 D4 (181) business edition, and the fuel economy is not what is advertised (70+mpg) , but realistically I get mid 50s on longer journeys, even with car + driver + 3 passengers and luggage on a motorway journey it will still do mid 50's. The D4 however does like to be fed on Premium Diesel, and I find I get around 10-15% better MPG on Premium diesel

But to get that I do have to drive it sensibly. Cruise control/speed limiter set at 70, no hurry. Very Relaxed cruiser at that speed.

As with all of these cars if you use all of it's power, which there is plenty, it can drink like a fish. The power delivery is very smooth and almost linear, it doesn't feel like a lot of "powerful" diesels where you get nothing then everything then nothing.

But - with the VEA engine just look at the thread on the EGR/Cooler. You might be lucky and find one that doesn't have any issues.

We have a 2012 V60 D2,a nd a 2013 V60 D4 (one of the last of the 5 cylinders), I have to say my partner loves her D2, andaround town it's fine, on the motorway it will happily sit at 70-80mph with no issues, the lack of power is only really noticable while overtaking, or on an A road blast.

Personally I prefer the D4 engine, its quick enough to be fun, and engaging, power delivery is much better, and the 5 cylinder sound track is great. MPG wise I'm pretty sure there's not a lot in it, around town/local driving the D2 maybe slightly better, but then on a long run the D4 is better, probably at at motoway speeds the D4 is at lower revs.

But theres not really a lot in it either was I average about 41/2-43mpg, I have a short commute to work, on a long run I can see 49-51mpg, my partner verages 43-44mpg (same kind of short commute), same kind of long commute in the D2 47-48.

When I got my V60 I had a choice of a lower spec D4 (which I got), or a slightly higher spec D2, I wanted the engine over the kit/spec, and I haven't regretted it :-)