Volvo’s excellent D4 diesel engine might be available in other cars across the Volvo range but its spiritual home is, in my humble opinion, under the bonnet of their compact SUV, the XC60.

Big SUV’s are notorious for pumping out huge quantities of carbon – just take a look at how many of them reside in the top band of the vehicle excise duty ratings – but thanks to the excellent Drive-E D4 diesel engine under the bonnet of this XC60 R-Design that figure is just 117g/km. What that means is, remarkably, the first year rate on a new XC90 D4 is precisely zero. After that it rises to a rather manageable £30 per year.

Not only is the XC60 cleaner than any of its premium rivals, it’s also more powerful. The 2.0-litre four cylinder engine offers 179bhp and an impressive 400Nm of torque. The all-aluminium power plant’s secret is a bespoke injector system called i-Art which carefully monitors the precise amount of fuel required for each combustion cycle, greatly reducing consumption and emissions.

It really is an impressive performer, particularly in-gear, where the broad spread of torque provides plenty of urgency when you’re looking to quickly slip past one of those inconsiderate motorists who insist on sharing the road with you.

I didn’t find the diesel particularly intrusive, even when stressed, and with the occupants also well insulated from wind and road noise the cabin is a very pleasant place to be making it an excellent motorway cruiser.

The large fuel tank and excellent economy mean that, just like the 60-series D4 saloon and estate, the SUV has a theoretical range of 1,000 miles.

The ride is comfortable enough not to be too much of a distraction, although there are occasions when the odd imperfections on the road permeate the seats and steering column, but the steering can be a little incommunicative and sluggish. The front wheels were also a little too quick to relinquish their grip on the road under heavy acceleration despite traction control being fitted as standard.

The interior shares design cues with other models in the Volvo range, with optional digital dials offering a range of ‘themes’ from sporty to elegant and the familiar floating console. The materials and finish are all high quality – indeed, the XC90 feels like a premium product inside and out – and the seats are comfortable and supportive.

Volvo’s obsession with safety on the road remains untempered, with curtain, driver’s passenger’s and side airbags, ABS, ESP and the aforementioned traction control all fitted as standard. On the options list there’s lane departure warning, blind spot indicator and collision avoidance braking. The XC60 also pretty handy off-road.

The XC60 is not without its flaws – the boot isn’t the biggest in its class and the steering is a little vague – but it’s handsome, beautifully built and then D4 diesel is a real gem. If you’ve got a small family and are planning a few ‘staycations’ then this could well be the car for you.

Volvo XC60 D4 R-Design

Price: From £32,735

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 181bhp

Acceleration (0-62mph): 8.5 seconds

Maximum speed: 130mph

Urban: 57.6mpg

Extra urban: 65.7mpg

Combined: 57.6mpg

Emissions: (CO2): 117g/km

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