Best Volvo cars for fuel efficiency
Volvo offers a range of reliable cars with a choice of fuel, electric or hybrid power – but how economical are they?
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Best MPG Volvos
Volvo is a brand that’s renowned for producing reliable cars with an outdoorsy edge, and particularly impresses with its range of SUVs.
Fuel efficiency in Volvos is measured using ‘miles-per-gallon' (MPG) figures that measure how much fuel they’ll use over how many miles.
Ideally, you want to fill up (or charge up) as little as possible while still covering the most mileage.
If you want a fuel-efficient Volvo, here’s our top picks for models that aren’t too greedy.
Volvo XC60 Recharge T6 AWD
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A used Volvo XC60 Recharge is a slick option for an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid SUV that’s positively packed with tech.
You'll get Google systems built-in, an air-purifier that’s ideal for travelling in busy cities, and a Bower & Wilkins audio system.
The XC60 Recharge offers up to 49 miles of electric range in the T6 model, with a combined fuel economy of 217-282.1mpg.
This makes it a seriously economical car that balances fuel and electric power to give you an efficient drive.
CO2 emissions are respectable too, officially claiming 24mpg even with that all-wheel-drive technology.
Volvo XC60 T8 AWD
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A used Volvo XC60 T8 is another impressive variation of the XC60 model, offering even more features and tech than the T6.
You get an upgraded electric motor that improves your 0-62mph speed to just 4.9 seconds, with an electric range of up to 47 miles.
Fuel economy overall is rated at up to 282.1mpg, with the same 24mpg CO2 emissions as the T6 model.
Both are fuel-efficient while still feeling every bit the luxury SUV.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
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A small SUV with plenty of electric power, a used Volvo XC40 Recharge is ideal if you’re ready to ditch fuel completely.
It competes with the BMW iX and VW ID.4 as a worthy alternative, especially if you like the outdoorsy vibe of a Volvo.
In this model, you can expect up to 333 miles of purely electric mile range, all while still offering a spicy 408hp statistic. It’s the perfect blend of punchy power and frugality.
With an 11kW three-phase wall box charger, you’ll also be able to boost your XC40 from flat to full in around seven hours.
Volvo S60 T8 AWD Recharge
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A used Volvo S60 T8 AWD Recharge model is an ideal family car, offering plenty of space, brilliant running costs and a sporty look.
As a plug-in hybrid, you can make savings on fuel in the S60 by relying on battery power where possible. Volvo claims that you can get up to 55 miles of electric range, with 455hp.
CO2 emissions are impressive too, offering a 17g/km figure. You can also expect a boost from flat to full in just five hours using a standard wall box charger, so it’s easy to charge up overnight with no issues.
Volvo V60 Cross Country
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An ideal model for practicality and comfort, the all-wheel-drive Volvo V60 Cross Country is a slick-looking car with a massive boot.
In fact, you can fit up to 519 litres in the rear of the V60 – ideal for merging into family life as a reliable estate.
The efficiency of the V60 Cross Country will differ depending on the model you choose.
Volvo claims you can expect up to 47.9mpg from diesel models and 38.1mpg from the petrol options.
There are currently no electric V60 Cross Country models on offer.
Volvo XC40 T4 Recharge
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Another brilliant hybrid option from the brand, a used plug-in Volvo XC40 T4 Recharge is a suave SUV with plenty of character.
With an official fuel economy figure of up to 134.5mpg, it’s definitely an efficient option and benefits from combining the 1.5-litre petrol engine and 78.9hp electric motor.
The T4 model is less powerful than the T5, but it’s still more than enough for most motorists.
You’ll also be able to travel up to 28 miles using just electric power alone, with 47g/km of CO2 emissions.
Volvo XC90
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The Volvo XC90 is available as a petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid model, with mild hybrid tech added that’s ideal if you don’t want to think about charging your car.
Rivalling models like the BMW X5 and Audi Q7, the Volvo XC90 is comfortable, spacious and stylish.
In the XC90 Recharge, you can expect up to 235.1mpg from the plug-in hybrid engine.
Petrol engines offer up to 33.6mpg, and diesel is up to 44.1mpg. The most efficient choice will be the plug-in hybrid, but diesel is the second-best choice for keeping frugal with fuel.
The plug-in hybrid also has a brilliant CO2 emissions figure of up to 76g/km from the T8 Recharge, while fuel-powered models like the 2.0 B5 235hp diesel model goes up to 214g/km.
Volvo S90
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While Volvo is probably most recognisable for its SUVs, a used S90 Saloon is a sleek alternative that still has the brand’s signature look.
It’s still a chunky model, with a 461-litre boot, but it’s sophisticated inside and out.
There is a range of engine options available in the S90 lineup, including petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid models.
The plug-in hybrid is the most efficient choice, offering up to 352.6mpg from the Recharge T8.
This model also has a 19g/km that’s especially impressive. Plus, you’ll get up to 54 miles of electric-only mile-range.
Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge
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Volvo has been pulling it out of the bag with hybrid options for a while now, and the plug-in Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge is a brilliant example of this.
Using a 1.5-litre engine paired with an electric motor, the XC40 T5 Recharge can achieve up to 139.4mph according to official WLTP combined fuel economy statistics. This will, however, differ based on your real-world driving habits.
CO2 emissions are rated at around 55g/km, and you can cover up to 28 miles using only your electric power.
Volvo V90 Cross Country
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A used Volvo V90 Cross Country is a reliable estate car with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, making it ideal for family life.
It’s efficient too, offering up to 54.3mpg from the D4 model and up to 138g/km in CO2 emissions.
In petrol models, you can expect a slightly lower fuel economy figure of up to 36.2mpg.
There are currently no electric V90 Cross Country models on offer, but you can grab the original Volvo V90 Recharge plug-in hybrid model if you do want some support from an electric setup and aren’t set on an estate.
Fuel-saving tips
One of the best ways to save fuel is by switching to a hybrid Volvo, or you can even choose to take the jump to a fully-electric vehicle.
Cars with electric motors and batteries can rely on this setup to take the edge off while driving, so less fuel is used up overall.
If you’re not ready to switch to a hybrid or electric car or just want to improve your fuel efficiency further, driving steadily and braking smoothly can help reserve fuel. Erratic driving at high speeds uses up more fuel than a steady cruise.
You can also ditch some extra weight from your car to reduce fuel usage. Taking off a roof rack or roof storage box can make the car lighter, as well as offloading any extra luggage from your boot that isn’t essential.
You might also want to lay off the air-conditioning and heating to preserve petrol and diesel.
Having your heating or A/C on high can use extra fuel, so consider whether you really need to use the feature if you’re trying to be frugal.