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As it is with most plug-in hybrids, the Volvo D5 Twin Engine will only attract some selected buyers. It is ideal for a short commute with occasional longer trips. It also suffers from loss in practicality due to batteries at the rear as it reduces boot space. It’s also dull to drive due to the added weight.
The V60 D5 Twin Engine is cosy with loads of safety kit. The Volvo V60 D5 has a small niche in the UK and it doesn’t have any direct competitors like the V60 has in the form of Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes C-Class Estate.
The only diesel plug-in hybrid that comes close is the Mercedes C350e estate. Only the Peugeot 508 RXH comes close to the V60 D5 but that’s a traditional hybrid and not a plug-in like the Volvo. This Volvo has made a small market of its own and it is an odd mix of traditional diesel estate and modern plug-in.
The electric motor can run without fuel power for up to 31 miles has an engine which is old school five pot unit. The engine is good enough and is better than many modern four-cylinder diesels. However, it is lacking in revs from the Modern Engines.
You really need to put your foot down to have a better performance. The electric motor combines with this V60 taking it from 0-62mph in just 6.7 seconds. On longer runs the claimed combined fuel economy figure of 155.2mpg starts to look ridiculous. The 31-mile electric range is useful for those with a short commute whereas the diesel is doing most of the work on the motorway. This results in a real-world figure closer to 45mpg.
As it is the case with all plug-in hybrids: they make sense to some but for many people, a traditional Diesel Engine car will be cheaper to buy and run. A traditional V60 has lots of practicality which is the key appealing factor for Volvo buyers.
You’ll be better off with a conventionally-engined V60 when it comes to practicality too, which many Volvo buyers will consider a key part of the car’s appeal. The conventional V60 has a 430-litre boot with the seats up, and 1,241 with the seats down. However, the D5 or D6 plug-in hybrid and there’s only 305 litres with seats up and 1,126 litres with seats down.
The interior also has the strange mixture of old and new. While there’s lots of modern kit, including sat-nav, auto high beams, DAB radio, auto-dimming mirrors and adaptive cruise control, the interior itself feels very old.
The material used is of good quality, but it is not in the same league as its competitors such as the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. All the buttons on the dash feel cheap to the touch. It’s very disappointing to see a car which costs close to £40,000 and having tacky interior and feeling outdated. Let’s just hope the face-lift for this car gets a much-needed upgrade in every aspect.
