XC70 D5 SE...Manual vs Auto economy

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Morton

We currently have a 2008 V70 D5 SE Sport (Auto) and a 2009 C70 D5 Manual.

We really like both but are thinking of swapping both and getting an XC70 as we really only need one car these days.

Currently our V70 (auto) returns around 60%-68% of the economy of the C70 (manual) and about 71% to 77% of the economy of my previous 2002 V70 D5 (5 speed manual).

This makes me think a manual D5 XC70 is the way forward but they're not easy to find and I've just spoken to someone who has an Auto XC70 who says there isn't much difference in economy between that and the manual.

I'm trying to find out what sort of economy I could expect in day to day driving from a manual D5 (or D4) XC70.

Can anyone who knows give me an idea? I've tried "Honest John" and his "Real MPG" but that didn't shed much light hence why I'm here.

If you can go to the 8 speed auto you will find that similar to the manual for economy, It is almost like a CVT keeping the rpm around 1800 at all times until you get over 80 mph.

[bracken78]

I have a 2014 XC70 D5 AWD Auto EURO 5. The average MPG over 37,000 miles is 35.31. Never seen better than 39.8 or worse than 30.2. We have just driven 1,200 miles around France at the French speed limit of 130 KPH and almost averaged 37mpg. This is actual calculation and not the onboard computer. I believe a manual will be considerable more economical than the Auto but not sure by how much.

[Puffster]

I've just come back from Ireland - Wales and then drove to Swansea the next morning, where the light came on - 491 miles since I'd filled up outside of Derry.

I would call me a "progressive" driver, I don't sit in queues of traffic on a single carriageway for miles, I overtake when safe. I go above the NSL if clear/safe to do so, same on motorways but not excessively. Accelerate hard out of roundabouts etc.

On the basis that there's 10l left in the tank, then that equates to 37mpg in a Polestar'd Euro5 Diesel Manual, which considering the progressive bit I'm happy with. May have been impacted slightly by reduced power in 6th issue but then I'd have to drop down a gear on steep hills to maintain momentum and when overtaking, whereas previously I would not have. The last 100 miles are very hilly, twisty so hardly got the chance to use 6th anyway.

[Sotosound]

Originally Posted by Clan

If you can go to the 8 speed auto you will find that similar to the manual for economy, It is almost like a CVT keeping the rpm around 1800 at all times until you get over 80 mph.

Once on the move, that 8-speed gearbox does seem to work well at keeping revs inside the diesel's optimum power band. It also seems to engage the clutch a fair amount rather than just revving away. It's just getting to being "on the move" that it seems a bit relaxed about. ("Give me a few seconds. I'll be right with you.")

Whatever, it's a far cry from the GM Powerglide 2-speed auto from back in the day. How on earth did any car manage with that?

[Rangefinder10]

Originally Posted by bracken78

I have a 2014 XC70 D5 AWD Auto EURO 5. The average MPG over 37,000 miles is 35.31. Never seen better than 39.8 or worse than 30.2. We have just driven 1,200 miles around France at the French speed limit of 130 KPH and almost averaged 37mpg. This is actual calculation and not the onboard computer. I believe a manual will be considerable more economical than the Auto but not sure by how much.

My "new to me" 2014 XC70 D5 AWD Auto EURO 5 (also 37k miles) is showing an average of 36.9mpg, whilst my fill up after the first 400 miles of mix of 50% motorway and 50% town driving shows an actual average consumption of 36.0mpg.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Sotosound

Once on the move, that 8-speed gearbox does seem to work well at keeping revs inside the diesel's optimum power band. It also seems to engage the clutch a fair amount rather than just revving away. It's just getting to being "on the move" that it seems a bit relaxed about. ("Give me a few seconds. I'll be right with you.")

Whatever, it's a far cry from the GM Powerglide 2-speed auto from back in the day. How on earth did any car manage with that?

8 speed box is an improvement but on xc70 was only fitted to fwd cars only - all AWD have the six speed.