What’s hot

• The five-cylinder D5 engine is an absolute gem – quiet and refined when you want to cruise down the motorway, tunefully engaging when you put your foot down.
• And it’s complemented extremely well by the six-speed only Geartronic autobox that slips imperceptibly between the cogs
• There are excellent safety features as standard, such as an upgraded City Safety system (active up to 31mph) which will automatically brake the car in an emergency situation if the driver fails to take avoiding action
• The interior of the car exudes a feeling of well-being that’s both relaxing and calming
• Perhaps it’s not surprising with optional goodies such as Sensus Connected Touch with Navigation – a multimedia hub that car run apps and internet radio as well as points you in the right direction with its 7 inch colour display; why, even with gloves on the touch screen still works, a world first – along with a heated leather steering wheel
• Part of the reason why the Volvo XC60 exudes that pleasant place to be aura is that the interior of the XC60, like the exterior of this Volvo SUV, has also been smartened up with new wood inlays, a new headliner, and silk metal frames around the air vents and light controls
• But part of the appeal for any small business owner or SME company director is the ability for the Volvo XC60 to combine smart business carriage with practical cargo capability and go-anywhere ability
• There’s the four-wheel drive system, useful if you tow a boat, horsebox or need access across unmetalled or muddy roads
• In terms of practicality, the rear seats fold flat – or can split fold – to extend the car’s carrying capacity (or the middle seat folded to turn the rear into a four seater with armrests)…
• …while other thoughtful touches include a panel that lifts up from the boot floor and rests upright. On it are hooks to hold your shopping bags from the supermarket shop, or an elasticated strap to keep larger items under control and prevent their contents spilling around the boot (see pictures)
• Volvo talks about its cars being “built around you” – working unobtrusively in that typically non-flashy Swedish way – and the boot item is just one of many such delightful touches that make ownership so much easier, simpler and satisfying

What’s not

• The D5 five-cylinder diesel engine is being phased out. We shall mourn its passing…
• …however, the reasoning is steely clear: our Steptronic Volvo XC60 is pretty dire on CO2 emissions – 169g/km CO2
• All of which means you’re facing a company car tax band of 29% and a monthly company car tax bill of £386 (before any extras are added to bump up the P11D price)
• You can only get this D5 engined model in four-wheel drive