voLvo XC60 TRIPLe TeST

TEST CENTRE BMW X3 vs Land Rover Freelander vs Volvo XC60 SUVs
Will they break
the bank?
BMW
Land Rover
Volvo
OFFICIALLY, The X3 has the best
fuel economy, returning 55.4mpg
on average. That’s 2mpg better
than the XC60 and 8mpg more
than the Freelander.
Our True MPG testers confirm
that pecking order, but their
findings suggest that the disparity
in the real world will be less stark;
while the X3 is likely to achieve
41.5mpg, the XC60 will return 38.3
and the Freelander 36.9mpg.
While similar official tailpipe
outputs place the X3 and the XC60
in the same 21% tax band for
company car drivers, the
Freelander’s larger engine and
greater CO 2 emissions push it into
a more punitive 25% tax band.
The knock-on effect of this is
that you can expect a monthly
tax bill of £202 if you run an X3 as
your company vehicle and £211 if
you choose an XC60. That’s a good
chunk less than the £241 you’ll pay
to run a Freelander.
It’s pricey to lease, too. At £403
for a typical three-year contract
hire agreement, the Freelander
costs £50 per month more than
the X3 and XC60.
The reputation of fuel-efficient
BMWs goes some way to
explaining why used examples
hold their value so well. The X3
will still be worth an outstanding
61% of its original value after
three years. This figure looks even
more exceptional when you
compare it with the 50% values
that the others will retain after
the same period.
‘BMW is
no longer
the leader
for diesel
engine
refinement’
What it will cost you
CHeaPeSt to oWn
BMW X3 Excellent resale values
and best real-world fuel economy
Prices BMW Land Rover Volvo
List price £28,965
Target Price £27,225
Company car tax
per month (20/40%) £101/£202
Contract hire
(per month)
£354
Residual value (by year)
1
2
3
4
£26,175 90%
£21,525 74%
£17,675 61%
£15,100 52%
Three-year cost
£1983
£1163
135g/km
£9550
Total
£18,496
£240
Depreciation Insurance Servicing Road tax
£5560
Emissions and economy
41.5mpg
21%
£1920
£29,200
£27,523
£403
£21,250 73%
£17,650 60%
£14,675 50%
£12,700 43%
Total
£22,908
£2295
£1137
£30,280
£26,880
£105/£211
£352
£22,875 76%
£18,800 63%
£15,425 51%
£13,175 44%
£11,455
Total
£21,152
£240
36.9mpg
38.3mpg
£120
£170
£120
158g/km
Comparing the essential equipment and option prices
✓ Standard
7 Not available
Alloy wheels Metallic
paint
Air-con/
climate
control
Cruise
control
Leather/
electric
seats
Land Rover Freelander pricey
to lease, tax and keep fuelled
£1546
£340
£121/£241
£12,848
£6254
25%
139g/km
True MPG
True MPG First-year road tax CO2 Tax liability
Bluetooth Automatic Parking
lights /wipers sensors f/r
Volvo XC60 Company car tax
bill won’t cripple your finances
Automatic Navigation
gearbox system
DAB radio
BMW X3 ✓ £610 7/✓ ✓ ✓/£970 ✓ ✓/✓ ✓/✓ £1525 £1775 ✓ ✓
Land Rover Freelander ✓ £550 7/✓ ✓ £410/£360 ✓ ✓/✓ ✓/✓ 7 ✓ ✓ ✓
Volvo XC60 ✓ £625 7/✓ ✓ £900/£600 ✓ ✓/✓ £325/✓ £1485 £575 £325 ✓
£6025
21%
Stability
control
Our
verdict
The XC60 D4 is unquestionably
the best car Volvo makes, and as it
turns out it’s also a better car than
the BMW X3 and the Land Rover
Freelander. At least these
particular versions.
As well as being a classy-looking
car inside and out, the XC60 is
more versatile, more refined and
more composed than either of its
rivals. In real-world terms, it’s also
almost as fuel efficient as the X3.
That’s some achievement.
The fact that your company car
tax bill won’t cripple your finances
means the XC60 makes financial
sense whichever way you look at it.
The X3 is an eminently likeable
car. however, we’d question the
wisdom of a rear-wheel-drive SUV;
141bhp going to the rear wheels in
demanding wintry conditions is
hardly an ideal scenario.
The X3’s engine is pretty gruff,
too, which leads us to conclude
that BMW is no longer the leader
for diesel engine refinement.
Despite some recent tweaks,
the Freelander is feeling its age.
It’s still a great place to sit, thanks
to a cosseting ride and a light
and airy cabin. equally, we
acknowledge that because of its
impressive ground clearance,
agility will never be a Freelander
forte. Increasingly, though, we
struggle to accept the mechanical
racket emanating from the
engine bay and the amount of
wind noise. We also struggle to
justify its punitive running costs,
so it finishes last.
april 2013 whatcar.com whatcar.com april 2013
1
Volvo XC60
2.0 D4 SE
For refinement; excellent to
drive; practicality
Against Cluttered dashboard;
compromised rear visibility
Verdict The D4 XC60 is hard
to fault and easy to praise.
it’s a near-perfect family SUV
BMW X3 sDrive18d SE Land Rover Freelander 2.2 eD4
2 3
For Great cabin; superb resale values; simple
iDrive system; affordable company car tax bills
Against Engine refinement; firm ride;
rear-wheel drive isn’t ideal for winter
Verdict Not as rounded as the XC60, but the
sDrive X3 is still a beguiling proposition
For Wonderful driving position; airy cabin;
flexible performance
Against refinement; pricey to run; small boot;
tight rear legroom; pronounced body roll
Verdict The Freelander always makes you
feel special, but it’s too noisy and too costly
Stats, specs and ratings
Volvo XC60 2.0 D4 SE
List price £30,280
Measurements
Figures in bold are best in test. Dimensions in cm.
Space
495-1455
litres
Economy
Average (Govt) 53.3mpg
Tank 70 litres
Emissions 139g/km, 21% tax
True MPG average 38.3
Real-world range 590 miles
Safety
Euro NCap crash rating xyxyxyxyxy
94% 79% 48% 86%
Engine and
performance
Size 1984cc, 5cyl, TD
Peak power
163bhp@3500rpm
Peak torque
295lb ft@1500rpm
Buying
Behind the wheel
Space & practicality
Quality & reliability
performance
ride & handling
refinement
Buying & owning
Equipment
Safety & security
Verdicts
0-60mph
9.7
sec
Top speed
124
mph
Performance figures
Weather conditions Dry
acceleration 30–70mph through the gears
10.8sec
30–50mph in 3rd/4th/5th/6th
3 3.8sec 4 6.1sec 5 12.8sec 6 27.1sec
50–70mph in 3rd/4th/5th/6th
3 5.9sec 4 6.0sec 5 8.2sec 6
10.8sec
Braking 30–0mph/70–0mph
10.1m 53.9m
Website www.volvocars.co.uk
Car pictured Volvo XC60 2.0 D4 SE Nav FWD
Geartronic with optional digital TV (£750); 18-inch
alloy wheels (£700); and metallic paint (£625)