The Volvo PHEV, makes sense over the straight ICE version, currently, there is zero AP increase to have the battery. But if running costs are a concern, unless you do 95% of your driving in chunks of less than 20 miles with a charging station at the stop points, I just can’t see anything attractive on the current Volvo offerings, the diesel’s were economical, AP’s used to be reasonable, but you can’t say that anymore sadly.
Hopefully, Volvo will soon have its EV’s on the scheme, they do make nice safe cars, that are great to sit in, even if potentially boring to drive, but they don’t make economical petrol engines, they were always renowned for their diesels. I had an XC40 D5 as a hire car in northern Sweden, and it was phenomenal in the Ice and snow, even the big touch screen was great (once I’d spent an hour trying to switch it from Swedish to English), I did test drive the Incription Pro this time and really liked it, APART from the fuel consumption.
As to the debate on Brands, I’m definitely a slut, and have zero loyalty to Brands, I go for the car that does what I need at a price I can afford. I’m luckier than Wigwam and Glos Guy though, in that it’s only me getting the car and not having to please the wife…