I have a D5 215 bhp unit raised to 230 bhp with a Polestar optimisation software tweak and I can say that it is an awe inspiring engine. It seems unburstable and with more torque and bhp than I am ever likely to need. It has a sports mode on the auto gearbox but frankly with the engine's power output starting quite low in the rev range, I never need to use the sports setting. I'm sure that it uses more fuel than lesser Volvo engines but coming from V6 petrol engines, the fuel consumption seems wonderful. It makes a growling sound on hard acceleration and it has a diesel rumble on tickover but once on the move with minimal throttle use, it is unobtrusive. Mine has only clocked 60K miles in 10 years but I'm told that quarter of a million is easily attainable and that the engine remains reliable. Doing the maintenance and the engine will probably outlive me!. But I am ancient!
