VOLVO USES the XC designation across its ranges to denote ‘cross country’ and so you would think that if you bought an XC model, then that’s what you’d get.

But you’d be wrong.

Ever conscious that some owners like the chunkiness and safety aspects of a 4 x 4, but don’t necessarily need the benefits of an extra driven axle, the Swedish company has sneaked in one of those ‘eco’ blighters into its XC60 range.

And, knock me down with a tonne of Co2, if it’s not actually the cheapest in the range. That’s in contrast to some manufacturers who think that by adding the words ‘eco’, ‘hybrid’ or ‘dual-fuel’ actually means that they can charge you a couple of grand more for the privilege of them giving you a car with either a smaller engine or a, technically cheaper, electronically remapped one.

So, the removal of an extra driven set of wheel on the XC60 actually saves you a couple of grand! And, it also means that you can expect to squeeze close on 50mpg out of what is, essentially, now a very large and tall estate car.

The XC60 DRIVe – as the open-toed sandal, kaftan-wearing version is known – is fitted with the proven 2.4-litre diesel power train, though it is ‘detuned’ by dropping it to a single turbo to 173bhp (from the more normal 202bhp on the the twin turbo D5 engine in the range).

It’s still pretty lively, though, and, I would imagine a fairly solid towing vehicle too, though it’s rated only for 1500kg with a braked trailer.

Even the de-tuned, DRIVe version will do the timed run of 0-62mph in under 10 seconds with a manual gearbox and slightly over that with the Geartronic auto. The more normal diesel ir more than a second quicker.

As you expect from Volvo, safety is pretty high up the priority list on the XC60. All of this range now comes fitted with the award-winning ‘City Safety’ system.

Basically, when operating at low speeds of up to 19mph – traffic jams, city driving etc – the car’s ‘brain’ works to avoid collisions if the speed differential between the car and the one in front of it is less than 9mph. It takes nerves of steel to test this – which I don’t have – but some who have tells me it works perfectly.

Even if it does not stop the collision, the designers tell me that it will certainly make them much less damaging than if it were not fitted.

At the moment, the sensors are only sensitive enough to work with a car in front, but a second-generation version should be able to recognise bikes and people too.

Inside the cabin, it’s all typical Swedish clean lines and it has a nice, relaxed feel, though I did feel that the seating felt a little less robust than I’m used to in a Volvo (weight saving?).

The SE version had leather-faced upholstery, with electrically adjustable driver’s chair and come chromy bits to set it apart.

So to price. Does the XC60 DRIVe stack up with the opposition – if there really is another ‘green’ or ‘eco’ designated vehicle of this size. The version tested, with SE spec’, hits the road at £27,995, with the S-spec’ £1500 cheaper and the standard engined SE priced at £2000 dearer.

It will save you money in running costs, being 7mpg better off in fuel economy, but you’ll have to weight that up with the fact that this is only two-wheel-drive and that might be a turn-off for quite a few readers of The Scottish Farmer.