XC60 T6 PHEV or XC40 Recharge Twin BEV?
Discussion
I've been trying to decide between the following for some time now, and have complete decision paralysis, would be grateful for views:
XC60 T6 Plus PHEV
XC40 Recharge Twin Ultimate BEV
All in, the XC60 works out about £100pm more to run
I've driven both a few times. I prefer how the XC40 drives, but find the XC60 more comfortable.
PHEV is both a pro and a con - I like the flexibility of petrol for longer journeys, but I'm not too keen on the compromises of a PHEV over EV for most journeys.
I reckon I'd be doing just over half my PHEV mileage on pure EV mode, and then a couple of longer journeys a month in the Highlands, where the flexibility of the PHEV would be preferred over the EV.
XC40 will take around 4 months longer to arrive, but I can take it over 2 years rather than 3 for the XC60.
Really torn. I think I could easily live with either. The XC60 is the car I'd want to spend time in, the XC40 was the better drive, and both offer pros and cons in terms of fuel platform.
Any thoughts?
XC60 T6 Plus PHEV
XC40 Recharge Twin Ultimate BEV
All in, the XC60 works out about £100pm more to run
I've driven both a few times. I prefer how the XC40 drives, but find the XC60 more comfortable.
PHEV is both a pro and a con - I like the flexibility of petrol for longer journeys, but I'm not too keen on the compromises of a PHEV over EV for most journeys.
I reckon I'd be doing just over half my PHEV mileage on pure EV mode, and then a couple of longer journeys a month in the Highlands, where the flexibility of the PHEV would be preferred over the EV.
XC40 will take around 4 months longer to arrive, but I can take it over 2 years rather than 3 for the XC60.
Really torn. I think I could easily live with either. The XC60 is the car I'd want to spend time in, the XC40 was the better drive, and both offer pros and cons in terms of fuel platform.
Any thoughts?
Currently in a 335d GT, which is quick and practical.
The XC40 is hilariously punchy. The XC60 is a lovely cruiser, but I found the petrol engine a bit disappointing when in hybrid mode...if you put your foot down there would be a lag and then suddenly the engine would join the party, screaming. In power mode it was fine, but obviously that's not the point of a hybrid.
I also tried the Model Y about 5 times and just couldn't get on with how crashy it was, the ix3, which I liked but RWD and comparatively underpowered was disappointing, the i4 which was a lovely drive but too small, and the Q4 which fell into the same territory as the ix3. Also liked the ix, but after wincing at how my GT looked from certain angles, I don't know if I could have another ugly car!
The XC40 is hilariously punchy. The XC60 is a lovely cruiser, but I found the petrol engine a bit disappointing when in hybrid mode...if you put your foot down there would be a lag and then suddenly the engine would join the party, screaming. In power mode it was fine, but obviously that's not the point of a hybrid.
I also tried the Model Y about 5 times and just couldn't get on with how crashy it was, the ix3, which I liked but RWD and comparatively underpowered was disappointing, the i4 which was a lovely drive but too small, and the Q4 which fell into the same territory as the ix3. Also liked the ix, but after wincing at how my GT looked from certain angles, I don't know if I could have another ugly car!
baconfries said:
Currently in a 335d GT, which is quick and practical.
The XC40 is hilariously punchy. The XC60 is a lovely cruiser, but I found the petrol engine a bit disappointing when in hybrid mode...if you put your foot down there would be a lag and then suddenly the engine would join the party, screaming. In power mode it was fine, but obviously that's not the point of a hybrid.
I also tried the Model Y about 5 times and just couldn't get on with how crashy it was, the ix3, which I liked but RWD and comparatively underpowered was disappointing, the i4 which was a lovely drive but too small, and the Q4 which fell into the same territory as the ix3. Also liked the ix, but after wincing at how my GT looked from certain angles, I don't know if I could have another ugly car!
How do you find the engine in the 335d, seeing as it'll be largely similar to the X3?The XC40 is hilariously punchy. The XC60 is a lovely cruiser, but I found the petrol engine a bit disappointing when in hybrid mode...if you put your foot down there would be a lag and then suddenly the engine would join the party, screaming. In power mode it was fine, but obviously that's not the point of a hybrid.
I also tried the Model Y about 5 times and just couldn't get on with how crashy it was, the ix3, which I liked but RWD and comparatively underpowered was disappointing, the i4 which was a lovely drive but too small, and the Q4 which fell into the same territory as the ix3. Also liked the ix, but after wincing at how my GT looked from certain angles, I don't know if I could have another ugly car!
It makes sense to go XC60 I think, given the size of your current car.
Honestly...that 335d engine is one of the best I've ever had (my only diesel too). Quick and lots of torque...and I was getting 40+ mpg (brim to brim) on runs (not trying for economy), with 48mpg on very long runs (trying a bit more for economy).
Doesn't sound too bad for a diesel either. Auto box is also outstanding.
Doesn't sound too bad for a diesel either. Auto box is also outstanding.
tvrfan007 said:
We have an xc40 but a single motor. Wasn't bothered about the twin as the Mrs is piling the miles on it. Lovely to drive tbh, comfy on a run and doing every 1 of its claimed miles to a charge at the moment.
Had to wait 6 months or so for it though.
Is that the newer RWD one or one of the earlier FWD models? How do you find it for any longer journeys if you don't mind me asking? Had to wait 6 months or so for it though.
I'm looking for my first EV through my works scheme and I'm umming and arring over the XC40 and the Cupra Born 77kw.
On a salary sacrifice scheme they're coming in at much of a muchness in price, and whilst they're not too dissimilar in size (remarkably so, other than their height) I'm just not sure if I want to drive around in an SUV; I'm concerned that it'll feel soft/wallowey on the road, I know that it's no sports car but still, arsed with driving around in a pudding.
I’ve had an XC40 twin for almost 2 years on business lease through my ltd. It’s been fantastic. Previous daily was an X3 35d which was good but nowhere near as comfortable as the XC40 or as fast of course. We find the XC40 plenty big enough inside - not much in it I’d say between the 2017 plate X3 cabin wise, but the boot was bigger. The Volvo seats are fabulous too.
The PHEV thing always strikes me as the worst of all possible worlds. Also, in my case asa company car, the XC40 is a no brainer given £0 VED, 2% BIK and it costs about £7 to charge overnight.
The PHEV thing always strikes me as the worst of all possible worlds. Also, in my case asa company car, the XC40 is a no brainer given £0 VED, 2% BIK and it costs about £7 to charge overnight.
I’m not sure it really helps you, but we bought an XC60 T8 for the simple reasons that:
The XC40 is too small for us.
The hybrid drivetrain is the best of all worlds for us. Most of our mileage will be electric only but when we do need to go further afield it’s always at peak travel times when public chargers are at their busiest.
So rather than carry around a heavy battery that we rarely use and won’t be big enough when we really need it, we carry around a heavy ICE that we rarely use but will have the range when we need it.
Plus I absolutely love the light airy interiors of the bigger Volvos. The XC40 doesn’t quite do that. Ultimately buy the car you want rather than the car you need. Because all the car you need is a three year old Skoda Octavia - everything beyond that is just a “want”.
The XC40 is too small for us.
The hybrid drivetrain is the best of all worlds for us. Most of our mileage will be electric only but when we do need to go further afield it’s always at peak travel times when public chargers are at their busiest.
So rather than carry around a heavy battery that we rarely use and won’t be big enough when we really need it, we carry around a heavy ICE that we rarely use but will have the range when we need it.
Plus I absolutely love the light airy interiors of the bigger Volvos. The XC40 doesn’t quite do that. Ultimately buy the car you want rather than the car you need. Because all the car you need is a three year old Skoda Octavia - everything beyond that is just a “want”.
Thanks for all the helpful comments. I test drove both again and have ordered the 2024 XC40 Twin Ultimate.
In case someone stumbles on the thread later with a similar question, the deciding factors were:
XC40 was nicer to drive. XC60 in EV mode was nice, but only RWD and of course hugely underpowered compared to XC40. XC60 in power mode was nice, but would be better buying a proper petrol if you plan to spend time in that. We just couldn't get comfortable with Hybrid mode, really did feel like the worst of both worlds. XC60 also felt more vague compared to the XC40.
Most of our journeys could be done on battery power alone, but the XC60 doesn't really compare to a full EV in that respect, but in return you get petrol power if you want it. Given that 75%+ would be on battery, it made sense to get a proper EV.
The 2024 XC40 has had significant upgrades in range, putting it much closer to Model Y.
Interiors of both cars were surprisingly similar in size. The XC60 quality was a bit higher, but not enough to sway us. Boot space was also comparable
I wasn't keen on picking up a hybrid on a 3 year commitment given the new EVs due to market soonish (A6 Avant Etron, XC60 Recharge etc). I've taken the XC40 over two years for minimal additional cost.
My work lease has tyre replacements included, and the XC40 comes with All Seasons. I'd have had to pay for winters or all seasons out of my own pocket if I went for the XC60 as it comes fitted with summers.
I also have concerns re the BIK on hybrids being targeted by chancellor in coming years. It's already about £200pm for the XC60.
If I was to disregard all of the practicalities stuff, the XC40 was just way more fun to drive at all times. And it felt like we were taking a ton of compromises just to have a petrol engine as a back up.
List price is almost identical on both cars, but lower BIK on XC40 gave us a slightly lower cost, plus significant savings in fuel over the hybrid.
In case someone stumbles on the thread later with a similar question, the deciding factors were:
XC40 was nicer to drive. XC60 in EV mode was nice, but only RWD and of course hugely underpowered compared to XC40. XC60 in power mode was nice, but would be better buying a proper petrol if you plan to spend time in that. We just couldn't get comfortable with Hybrid mode, really did feel like the worst of both worlds. XC60 also felt more vague compared to the XC40.
Most of our journeys could be done on battery power alone, but the XC60 doesn't really compare to a full EV in that respect, but in return you get petrol power if you want it. Given that 75%+ would be on battery, it made sense to get a proper EV.
The 2024 XC40 has had significant upgrades in range, putting it much closer to Model Y.
Interiors of both cars were surprisingly similar in size. The XC60 quality was a bit higher, but not enough to sway us. Boot space was also comparable
I wasn't keen on picking up a hybrid on a 3 year commitment given the new EVs due to market soonish (A6 Avant Etron, XC60 Recharge etc). I've taken the XC40 over two years for minimal additional cost.
My work lease has tyre replacements included, and the XC40 comes with All Seasons. I'd have had to pay for winters or all seasons out of my own pocket if I went for the XC60 as it comes fitted with summers.
I also have concerns re the BIK on hybrids being targeted by chancellor in coming years. It's already about £200pm for the XC60.
If I was to disregard all of the practicalities stuff, the XC40 was just way more fun to drive at all times. And it felt like we were taking a ton of compromises just to have a petrol engine as a back up.
List price is almost identical on both cars, but lower BIK on XC40 gave us a slightly lower cost, plus significant savings in fuel over the hybrid.
Edited by baconfries on Monday 29th May 11:42
Edited by baconfries on Monday 29th May 11:44
Next year will also see the XC30 released (teased as 7th June 2023 for official launch), which may affect XC40 sales, as you’d expect it to be cheaper. Though I noticed recently that the XC40 P8s at two years old are giving some strong PCP residuals - buy a 2021 car now for £35k and on 24month pcp the residual is £29k!
AKjr said:
tvrfan007 said:
We have an xc40 but a single motor. Wasn't bothered about the twin as the Mrs is piling the miles on it. Lovely to drive tbh, comfy on a run and doing every 1 of its claimed miles to a charge at the moment.
Had to wait 6 months or so for it though.
Is that the newer RWD one or one of the earlier FWD models? How do you find it for any longer journeys if you don't mind me asking? Had to wait 6 months or so for it though.
I'm looking for my first EV through my works scheme and I'm umming and arring over the XC40 and the Cupra Born 77kw.
On a salary sacrifice scheme they're coming in at much of a muchness in price, and whilst they're not too dissimilar in size (remarkably so, other than their height) I'm just not sure if I want to drive around in an SUV; I'm concerned that it'll feel soft/wallowey on the road, I know that it's no sports car but still, arsed with driving around in a pudding.
Only had it three weeks but it successfully went to the south cost and back, using 72 percent of the battery there which was higher than expected as it was only 150 miles but to be fair it was almost all 60 to 70 mph on the way down. On the way back the m25 was a giant car park so lots of time sitting still with ac on but still used 70 percent so the 240 is a rather optimistic as they all are. Google maps in the car hit the battery on the nose though.
All in, very happy, I find it quite spacious but I'm not a big guy and my kids are 5 and 3.
AKjr said:
Is that the newer RWD one or one of the earlier FWD models? How do you find it for any longer journeys if you don't mind me asking?
I'm looking for my first EV through my works scheme and I'm umming and arring over the XC40 and the Cupra Born 77kw.
On a salary sacrifice scheme they're coming in at much of a muchness in price, and whilst they're not too dissimilar in size (remarkably so, other than their height) I'm just not sure if I want to drive around in an SUV; I'm concerned that it'll feel soft/wallowey on the road, I know that it's no sports car but still, arsed with driving around in a pudding.
We had the rwd Ultimate single motor on demo for a week via Lex before we ordered a replacement company car.I'm looking for my first EV through my works scheme and I'm umming and arring over the XC40 and the Cupra Born 77kw.
On a salary sacrifice scheme they're coming in at much of a muchness in price, and whilst they're not too dissimilar in size (remarkably so, other than their height) I'm just not sure if I want to drive around in an SUV; I'm concerned that it'll feel soft/wallowey on the road, I know that it's no sports car but still, arsed with driving around in a pudding.
The single motor went well enough - the twinultimate we've ordered is going to be laugh out loud quick although the reason we've gone for that is the awd and also the bigger battery rather than the performance.
The google infotainment integration was impressive, everything worked perfectly and although being a bit confused by a percentage score for range rather than miles initially I was impressed when you can ask google how much range you've got left and it will spit the miles right back at you.
Very easy car to life with day to day, comfy enough, quick enough (either version) and as long as you don't expect it to have the cornering skills to match the performance, this is not a car to hunt out an apex.
IanJ9375 said:
We had the rwd Ultimate single motor on demo for a week via Lex before we ordered a replacement company car.
The single motor went well enough - the twinultimate we've ordered is going to be laugh out loud quick although the reason we've gone for that is the awd and also the bigger battery rather than the performance.
The google infotainment integration was impressive, everything worked perfectly and although being a bit confused by a percentage score for range rather than miles initially I was impressed when you can ask google how much range you've got left and it will spit the miles right back at you.
Very easy car to life with day to day, comfy enough, quick enough (either version) and as long as you don't expect it to have the cornering skills to match the performance, this is not a car to hunt out an apex.
Theyve just done an update as of last week which gives the range below the battery percentage on the instrument cluster, you may be pleased to know.The single motor went well enough - the twinultimate we've ordered is going to be laugh out loud quick although the reason we've gone for that is the awd and also the bigger battery rather than the performance.
The google infotainment integration was impressive, everything worked perfectly and although being a bit confused by a percentage score for range rather than miles initially I was impressed when you can ask google how much range you've got left and it will spit the miles right back at you.
Very easy car to life with day to day, comfy enough, quick enough (either version) and as long as you don't expect it to have the cornering skills to match the performance, this is not a car to hunt out an apex.
Cheers for the replies both 
Have gone for an XC40 with the bigger battery - the range rather than performance was my main driver for that, I'm a biker and I've got a Caterham (although mothballed in my Dad's garage at the moment) also, so I'm well catered for in so far as speed is concerned.
Have gone for an XC40 with the bigger battery - the range rather than performance was my main driver for that, I'm a biker and I've got a Caterham (although mothballed in my Dad's garage at the moment) also, so I'm well catered for in so far as speed is concerned.
Edited by AKjr on Thursday 15th June 14:05
Shabaza said:
Theyve just done an update as of last week which gives the range below the battery percentage on the instrument cluster, you may be pleased to know.
I am thanks lolWeird isn't it we spent all our lives just living with a needle sat somewhere between E and F knowing roughly how many miles we've got left but put in battery percentage and I lose my mind...well until I found I could ask google and it tell me! :-)
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