Volvo V60 Polestar review (2014-2016) - can a Volvo estate really be exciting? - MPG and running costs

This is undoubtedly an area where the new Polestar scores over the old. Running costs aren't the be-all and end-all of an evo test but they're unequivocally an important factor in many purchasing decisions - a car you can't afford to run is not going to be much fun to own.

While the old car spewed carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a rate of 237g/km, the latest car is slightly less likely to create its own weather systems with a figure of 186g/km. Likewise, the 27.7mpg combined economy figure (which was optimistic in daily use to say the least) climbs to a more palatable 34.9mpg. While you're unlikely to hit that figure on the daily commute either, you should be getting more than the mid to high teens of the old car...

The change drops the tax bracket just a single grade from K to J and drops the annual bill from £295 to £270, though it's saved £150 in the first year band. The changes have also helped reduce BIK figures for company buyers.

Volvo does offer a range of Service Plans, which spread the costs of maintenance out across a series of monthly, interest-free payments to mitigate the expense of the Polestar. The V60 sits in a lofty group 43 for insurance and the top 37 per cent for Benefit-in-Kind tax.