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Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 AWD Polestar Engineered – An SUV With Two Faces

The name of the Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 AWD Polestar Engineered is at least as complicated as its drivetrain. Back in the days when the angular Swedes still listened to badges like 246 GL or P1800 ES, the world was clearly simpler. What has progress brought?
2022 Volvo XC60 T8 37 photos
Photo: Axel Griesinger
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Volvo is doing splendidly, despite difficult times for the overall market. For the full year of 2020, global sales reached 661,713 cars, which is only a 6.2% decrease year-on-year in the pandemic-ridden year. There are reasons for this success: They pioneered practical SUV models (remember the first XC90) and have continuously expanded their range. Now they are more successful pioneers in reducing CO2 fleet emissions. By abandoning the diesel engine and consistently electrifying all models, the Swedes are taking a leading role.

All off-road series called XC are already available with hybrid powertrains. Both mild and plug-in technology is used here. But the Swedes are not just putting the part-time electric vehicles in the tree-huggers' corner. With the Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar, they are also targeting performance customers from Mercedes-AMG, BMW M and Audi RS.

Design: The power SUV remains visually very subtle

In terms of styling, however, the powerful Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar remains restrained. The turn towards more sustainability is particularly evident at the rear. Where two self-assured tailpipes told of the engine power in the last model year, there are now only curved decorative trim strips.

2022 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered Recharge
Photo: Axel Griesinger
Other aerodynamic add-on parts and bulky air intakes are also nowhere to be found on the slim and Scandinavian cool exterior. Only the mighty 21-inch wheels, behind which powerful Akebono six-piston brake calipers glow gold, reveal the top model.

Interior: High-quality atmosphere with first-class noise comfort

The Polestar also remains restrained in the interior. The interior with its large upright monitor is just as familiar as the very good ergonomics and great finishing. The comfortable and multi-adjustable seats are upholstered in a grippy mix of leather and mesh textile. Only the yellow seat belts are an exclusive addition and splash of colour to the interior of the Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar.

Space, on the other hand, remains somewhat tight. Everything is fine in the first row, where the XC60 sits like a tailor-made suit, but it gets tighter in the rear. Children have plenty of room to move around, but with two Isofix seats, the space to the front seats becomes tight. The same applies to the trunk, which can be loaded squarely, practically and high, but with 483l it remains below average for its class.

Technology: The hybrid drive delivers 405 PS and 670 Nm to the four wheels

The powertrain of the Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar is certainly its biggest technical highlight. The combination of a highly upgraded 2.0-liter four-cylinder with turbocharger and supercharger, as well as an electrically driven rear axle works very well. With 87 PS, the e-drive seems a bit weak on paper, but its 240 Nm are fully sufficient for everyday use. Above all, the interaction and takeover by the combustion engine works very smoothly and almost imperceptibly.

2022 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered Recharge
Photo: Axel Griesinger
A total output of 405 PS and 670 Nm then also ensures corresponding driving performance. A time of 5.2 seconds to 100 km/h is remarkable, especially considering the 2.2 tons total weight. Because the hybrid technology weighs heavily, the Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar is 450 kg heavier than the diesel model, which is no longer available. Incidentally, the 180 km/h limit for the top speed also applies to the top model. Safety is a top priority for the Swedes.

In addition to the powertrain, however, the infotainment must also be mentioned as a highlight. Because new in the XC60 is the switch of the infotainment from Volvo's own system to a modern Android-based solution. The software was first used in the all-electric Polestar 2, and now all Volvo models are gradually being equipped with it. The new architecture impresses with crisp graphics, great computing power and only slightly changed menus. Once you've driven a modern Volvo, you'll quickly find your way around.

But where there is a lot of light, there is also shadow. The Google Maps navigation, for example, convinces with good route guidance, a very good hit rate for points of interest and voice control, but also suffers from crashes. It can happen that both the cockpit display and the central display only show the Google logo, but do not remain responsive. The system only reboots in the background after a few minutes - anyone who would have to rely on announcements and route instructions during this time will get lost in doubt. The last lifesaver is then: Bowers & Wilkins. The sound system is outstanding, belongs to the best on the market and is worth its price.

Driving dynamics: The Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 AWD Polestar Engineered is not a real sports car

That's because the power SUV prefers to drive in a surprisingly relaxed manner. Although the numbers and golden add-on parts suggest great performance, the character is rather well-behaved. The Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar does not tempt you to speed, but plays to its hybrid strengths to the full. The fine chassis can't always hide its sports ambitions, however, and sometimes delivers quite dryly.

2022 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered Recharge
Photo: Axel Griesinger
If you then challenge the XC60 and really grab it by the horns in Polestar mode, you'll be surprised. Because it not only goes fast in a straight line, it also turns corners well. Not as wild as a sports car, of course, but there is a kind of GTI feeling.

Only the consumption increases immensely with a sporty driving style. If you want to drive the Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar, you'll have to reckon with consumption of around 12 liters and more. Even a full battery can hardly help here, the weight and performance take their toll. At least the Polestar gets about 40 kilometers purely electrically, which is usually enough for everyday use.

Ride comfort: Only after manual adjustment can the comfort be convincing

The fine Swedish Öhlins spring-damper elements need a little help to prove their quality. Subjectively, the Polestar-refined Volvo isn't hard at all. But in absolute mismatch to the spring rate, the dampers left the occupants puzzled and a bit shaken. There was nothing left to do but reach for the knurled wheels, and that's absolutely serious. Because unlike other adaptive suspension systems, the Öhlins suspension of the Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 AWD Polestar Engineered is only mechanically adjustable.

2022 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered Recharge
Photo: Axel Griesinger
On the front axle, this is accomplished with a twist of the damper mount on the strut bearing. For the rear axle, the trunk trim has to be removed to access the shock absorbers. We found that our test car had the suspension turned up to full hardness. We dared to go directly to the other extreme. Full open valves for unrestricted flow and correspondingly soft damping.

Suddenly, the performance hybrid's character is completely different. And to its full advantage, because the softer damper setup fits the concept better. The Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar does not tempt you to speed, but cleverly plays to the strengths of its two hearts.

Conclusion:

The XC60 flagship may be a hybrid, but it doesn't want to be an eco-car. Instead, it is a very well-equipped and very confident car. It offers enough space for the family plus luggage and handles most of its daily tasks purely electrically. The sporty SUV should therefore score a lot of points. The fact that it is also not averse to cornering should please additional customers. However, it lags a bit behind the competition, even if they don't offer the same comfort.

2022 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered Recharge
Photo: Axel Griesinger
The Volvo XC60 Recharge Polestar is a good compromise. It offers the best of many worlds. But that's precisely why it's also expensive, because quality has its price. Those who want to afford it and can recharge at home should shortlist it.

For this reason, we give the Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 AWD Polestar Engineered 4/5 stars.

Postscriptum:

Shortly after returning our test car, the Swedes announced that they were extending the electric range of their hybrids to a whopping 90 kilometers. This is supposed to make them even more silent in everyday driving. At the heart of the changes is an enlarged high-voltage battery in the cardan tunnel. It has now 18.8 instead of 11.6 kWh. In addition, the power of the electric motor also increases to 145 PS. The T8 model, whose four-cylinder gasoline engine has been slightly throttled, now has 310 PS, bringing its total output to 455 PS. Another new feature of the extensive technology update is the one-pedal function. The electric motor recuperates after the accelerator pedal is released that the vehicle is braked to a standstill. However, it is unfortunately uncertain when this performance upgrade will be available. The MY22 we tested is considered sold out. This means that delivery dates from mid-2022 are realistic, i.e. from MY23.

The overview
Pro:

sovereign drive
very quiet interior
high-quality craftsmanship
modern infotainment system
Cons:
Price tag very ambitious
Software does not run stable
Öhlins suspension can only be adjusted manually

Technical data:

Model: Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge AWD Polestar Engineered
Engine: Four-cylinder inline, 1,969 ccm
Power: 318 PS (233 kW)
Torque: 430 Nm at 4,500 rpm
Electric motor: rear axle electric drive
Power: 87 PS (65 kW)
Torque: 240 Nm
System power: 405 PS (298 kW)
System torque: 670 Nm
Battery: Lithium-ion
Capacity: 11,6kWh (gross)
Drive: electric all-wheel drive, eight-speed automatic transmission
Fuel consumption (WLTP): 3.2 l gasoline/100km
Test consumption: 9.2 l gasoline/100km
Test consumption: 29 kWh/100 km
Acceleration (0 – 100km/h / 62 mph): 5.2s
Top speed: 180 km/h (112 mph) limited
Dimensions (L/W/H): 4.69m/1.90m/1.65m
Weight: 2,215kg
Base price: from 84.850 Euro in Germany
Test car price: 95.830 EUR
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