The D4 diesel engine used across the Volvo range from 2014 - 2018 has suspect reliability. The Exhaust Gas Recycling (EGR) assembly on the engines between those years has a fundamental fault which Volvo has been unable to fix.

So I would not recommend a 2014 - 2018 XC60 D4. I had the D4 engine in V60, and it had three fixes under warranty in 3 years, before the car came to the end of its lease agreement. Great car otherwise, but I was glad it wasn't my own money I was spending on it. Some owners are now out of warranty and battling with Volvo to get a definitive fix, despite multiple attempts to solve the problem during the warranty period.

The mid 2018-on diesels have a completely different EGR assembly which is supposed to fix the problems above - but it's too early right now to say if it truly HAS fixed the issue.

I like Volvos but I would warn you not to buy a diesel version from 2014 onwards.

Assuming this is the current shape XC60, it is a bit too new a design (April 2017 i think) to be making any valid comments about its reliability. Anyone who has one will still be well within the warranty period, and how well the dealer addresses any issues does have a bearing on how the owner views the problem.

This is the 'good/bad' section for the car in the review on this website,

www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volvo/xc60-2017/good/

Not really much to get excited about. Though i have to say i am a little bemused by the fact that it being, 'not as sharp to drive as its rivals', is considered a minus point. Surely not everyone on the road wants their SUV to drive like a hot hatch?. Also, the boot is cited for being amongst the smallest in class, and while that may well be the case, it does have a volume of over 500 litres.

There certainly has been comments from forum members concerned about how the long term reliability of the current Volvo line up fare under their Chinese owners, what with the "any engine you like as long as it is 2.0 litres" mantra, and the high tech interior with its huge touchscreen which houses most of the controls. especially compared to older Volvo's, which, in some cases, are near enough indestructible.

I had a May 2016 V60 D4 and Volvo had just fixed the EGR problem before mine was delivered. I had no problem in the two years that I had it. It was solid but both performance and handling were stodgy, and the ride not comfortable enough to make up for this.

Your partner should get a long test drive and see how he likes the XC60. I had the XC40 on my short-list last year, when I eventually went for the Q2, and I found it too wallowy and vague in terms of handling, although two friends have XC40s and are very happy with them.

I believe the petrol Volvos are better to drive, but very thirsty. One friend with a T5 XC40 gets no more than 28 mpg on a long run, whereas my 2.0 petrol Q2 will do 40+.

Finally, I personally wouldn't go near a car where the heating and A/C have to be adjusted via a touchscreen. The XC40 is one such - not sure about the XC60. This is potentially dangerous: so much for Volvo's boasting about the safety of their cars.