XC60 B4 Diesel or B5 Petrol?

[iwanders]

Got a 12 plate XC60 (Diesel D3 – Drive). It’s been great over the years, but its now time to think about a new car, mainly because of the London ULEZ which from Oct 2021 I will live in, so would have to pay the charge every time (day) I used the car.

As I have been happy with the XC60 I was going to get another one. Where I live is on-street parking, so a plug in hybrid isn’t really an option (along with the premium price tag), so one of the new Mild Hybrid ones seems a good option.

Would probably go for Momentum trim, so would have the choice of B4 Diesel or B5 Petrol engine (current car is FWD, so would probably also go FWD this time). Looking at the CO2 figures and MPG, the B4 is the better of them, but when I got the car in 2012 the government was promoting diesel, but now there seems to be a big downer on it, so with living in the ULEZ, and others cities banning diesel, and imposing things such as extra charges for parking, I am wondering if the Petrol may be a better option. Though the B4 diesel engine (EURO 6d-TEMP) is currently ULEZ exempt, what’s to say in a few years time it’s won’t be as they crack down on diesels more.

Anyone have any real world feedback on the B4 Diesel or B5 Petrol and does the mild hybrid help the MPG. My yearly mileage isn’t much, maybe about 6000, with mostly city driving, but trips on motorway (between 100 and 300 miles) to visit family etc once every few months. Over its life time, the current XC60 has got (from brim to brim calculations) about 40mpg, or just over 42mpg from the car trip computer readings, and think the official Mixed MPG figure was 49.6. So looking at the figures for the new engines I speculate I may get about 40mpg for the B4 Diesel and about 30MPG for the petrol.

Thanks,
Ian.

[S80 2.9 manual]

Not XC60, but I've had V70/V90 experience of similar engines. My 2012 model V70 D3 manual gave 42.8mpg over the 40,000 miles that I drove it. My 2016 model V70 D4 manual gave 47.1mpg over 31,000 miles, whilst my current V90 T5 automatic has given 36.3 over 18,000 miles so far. Driving is a mix of motorway and town. I hope that this helps.

V90 T5 Inscription 2019MY

[iwanders]

Thanks for that, something to go on. Your 2012 D3 is quite close to mine, is your figure your calculation, or from the trip computer.

So, ignoring specific engine types, having search around, for a mainly city user of low mileage I think that petrol is better (over Diesel) as I can't go (or really afford) hybrid.

Ian.

[olszewm]

I was in the same situation as you. I live within the London ULEZ and had a 2014 XC60 D5 which was not compliant. When buying it, I was planning to keep it for years to come, however, the introduction of ULEZ meant that I had to look for alternatives. After many deliberations decided to go petrol, even though I do cross-Europe trips a few times per year. The reason was that in the current anti-diesel climate there is a big chance that they will ban diesels altogether in London, same as they did in a number of other European cities.

[gmk666]

I use my car in a similar way to you (short trips around London and occasional jaunts up the motorway) and have just gone from a D5 to a B5 petrol XC90.

Early VOC readings suggest my fuel consumption has dropped from 30mpg to around 25mpg, so your figures sound about right.

For what it’s worth, I think the quieter petrol engine suits the car better, and the little electric kick just about makes up for the lack of low down torque. (Plus I now officially drive a hybrid, so I can look my neighbours in the eye again...)

[iwanders]

Thanks for the replies. Think I am going to go Petrol as well.

Went to the dealers yesterday for a test drive (they only had a Diesel though), and it was very nice, seems such an upgrade on my 12 XC60, but then again, it is nearly 9 years old now.

Anyway, because of the current Volvo loyalty offer of £2400 (car needs to be registered by 30th September), they found a car on their computer which was brand new / not registered, that had the following above what I was originally spec'ing:

AWD instead of FWD
Versatility Pack
Power Driver Seat with Memory for Seat and Exterior Mirrors
Dark Tinted Windows - Rear Side Windows and Cargo Area

Didn't have CarPlay, but did have Tempa Spare Wheel and Jack

and because I could get it before the 30th Sept it worked out almost the same price as the one I wanted.

It was also in Fusion Red, which wasn't one of the colours we were thinking of, but having seen a few in that colour on the forecourt it did seem nice.

So, getting "more" options for the same (well just a bit more) money, but not really sure how much of a bonus those options are. Anyone have any views on what real world benefits any of these may bring?

[senwar]

Originally Posted by iwanders

Thanks for the replies. Think I am going to go Petrol as well.

Went to the dealers yesterday for a test drive (they only had a Diesel though), and it was very nice, seems such an upgrade on my 12 XC60, but then again, it is nearly 9 years old now.

Anyway, because of the current Volvo loyalty offer of £2400 (car needs to be registered by 30th September), they found a car on their computer which was brand new / not registered, that had the following above what I was originally spec'ing:

AWD instead of FWD
Versatility Pack
Power Driver Seat with Memory for Seat and Exterior Mirrors
Dark Tinted Windows - Rear Side Windows and Cargo Area

Didn't have CarPlay, but did have Tempa Spare Wheel and Jack

and because I could get it before the 30th Sept it worked out almost the same price as the one I wanted.

It was also in Fusion Red, which wasn't one of the colours we were thinking of, but having seen a few in that colour on the forecourt it did seem nice.

So, getting "more" options for the same (well just a bit more) money, but not really sure how much of a bonus those options are. Anyone have any views on what real world benefits any of these may bring?

Appreciate this may not matter - but when I ordered a new build last week, the dealer was happy to include the loyalty discount and finance contribution (£3k) as well as additional discount. I was initially going to accept a stock one too registered by 30/9

[iwanders]

Originally Posted by senwar

Appreciate this may not matter - but when I ordered a new build last week, the dealer was happy to include the loyalty discount and finance contribution (£3k) as well as additional discount. I was initially going to accept a stock one too registered by 30/9

The dealer I was at yesterday said that he wouldn't be able to do the £2400 if the car came in after the 30th. Also, another dealer (on Carwow) also said that the car I has spec'ed up would be factory order and said that the £2400 wouldn't apply.

[S80 2.9 manual]

[QUOTE=iwanders;2661917]Thanks for that, something to go on. Your 2012 D3 is quite close to mine, is your figure your calculation, or from the trip computer.

All figures are from my own calculations, although the V90 trip computer is within 0.25mpg of that, whereas the D3 was 2-3mpg optimistic.

[James77]

I think living in London perhaps undertaking shorter journeys? The petrol might be better for you it is more heavy on fuel but doesn't suffer from regen/blow back issues modern diesel engines appear too. If you undertake regular long journeys shouldn't be an issue.

There is no doubt the new SPA Volvos are a step up in terms of quality and refinement. However, just because you enjoyed your last doesn't mean you will the new they are totally different vehicles. They are riddled with tech as with l new model. I think have a look at a few manufacturers to ensure you're making the right choice for you.