Verdict
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–Mount Wilson, California
I’ve been a philosophical utilitarian since I used to be fairly younger: no matter causes essentially the most good and the least dangerous is normally the most suitable choice. Whereas my elementary faculty buddies have been drooling over 911 Turbos and Fords Mustang and GT90, I wished a Chevrolet Caprice or Buick Roadmaster Property. Utilitarians don’t like sports activities automobiles.
At the same time as a seven-year-old, I acknowledged {that a} Ferrari F40 would solely allow you to convey one pal alongside, with no room for canines, two-wheeler bikes, mannequin airplanes, or Scorching Wheels race tracks. For that stuff, you wanted a wagon. Think about six-year-old Brett’s shock, then, if you happen to instructed him that in 28 years, he would drive one thing that carries a bunch of stuff and accelerates sooner than virtually each Nineteen Nineties supercar, all whereas getting about 30 miles per gallon and enabling about 40 miles of all-electric driving if desired. That’s the case of the 2023 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered – the utilitarian’s dream.
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Exterior Shade: Thunder Gray Metallic Inside Shade: Charcoal Wheel Dimension: 19 Inches
Its trim dimensions and delicate styling give the Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered an undeniably good-looking, Swedish look. However the design is half a decade outdated and wasn’t notably ground-breaking when new, so people on the lookout for extra stylistic persona could be higher served by the outré BMW M3 sedan or the aggressive (and costly) Audi RS6 Avant wagon. The sporty V60 does get some neat particulars, like gold-colored brake calipers, a block-textured black grille, and a white enamel Polestar badge on the again.
Inside, the Polestar feels all however equivalent to the S60 Recharge, with black leather-based and woven material seat upholstery. The V60 additionally will get Volvo’s flagship-signature Orrefors crystal gear selector, and the usual Bowers & Wilkins audio system options precision-cut metallic speaker grilles. The V60’s gold seat belts set it aside as a Polestar product, nonetheless, tying in with the brake calipers.
Seating Capability: 5 Seating Configuration: 2 / 3 Cargo Capability: 23.0 / 65.1 Cubic Toes
The plug-in V60’s seats are among the many finest I’ve ever skilled, mixing a soft high layer of froth with a agency, supportive construction that made it very simple to get snug. The entrance and outboard rear seating positions are heated, as is the steering wheel, however sadly air flow isn’t obtainable. The material inserts helped compensate by retaining much less physique warmth than leather-based or leatherette, and so they held me in place throughout arduous driving as properly.
The Volvo V60 has extra passenger area and vastly extra cargo room than the BMW M3, and its upright roofline and comparatively skinny pillars imply even back-seaters can keep away from claustrophobia. Sadly, the 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery takes up a good quantity of area within the heart tunnel, encroaching on each heart console storage and footroom when three persons are within the rear seat. Nonetheless, the Polestar is a spacious little wagon that gives far more consolation than anticipated.
Middle Show: 9.0-Inch Touchscreen Instrument Cluster Show: 12.3 Inches Wi-fi Apple CarPlay / Android Auto: No / No
The Volvo V60’s Android Automotive working system is new for 2023, bringing the Google ecosystem on board with Maps, Assistant, and the Play app retailer. Spotify and Pandora are additionally included if you happen to’d desire to not use the wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration. These exterior sources work properly, however as I discovered within the S60, the Volvo-designed stuff is usually a bit laggy and irritating to make use of. The worst offender is the local weather management system, which solely works by way of the touchscreen and doesn’t at all times register your inputs.
Audio high quality from the Bowers & Wilkins speaker system is great, and I’m glad it’s commonplace on the Polestar – on the S60 Recharge, it’s a $3,200 choice that I might battle to pay for. Volvo additionally contracted the audio firm to present the system a novel sound processing function, replicating the acoustics of the Gothenburg Live performance Corridor for crisp, ringing sound and mellow, reverberating bass.
Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-Liter I4 Plug-In Hybrid Output: 455 Horsepower / 523 Pound-Toes
The V60 Polestar used to make do with Volvo’s uncommon turbo- and supercharged 2.0-liter inline-four, however for 2023, the engine has been redeveloped to make use of spooled-up exhaust gases solely. The turbo powertrain is smoother than earlier than, and it’s now paired with a extra highly effective rear electrical motor and bigger 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery. With the fuel engine driving the entrance wheels and electrons driving the rear, the V60 makes 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet. Put your foot in it and also you’ll hit 60 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds.
Whereas the S60 Recharge I drove not too long ago felt a bit of heavy and ungainly in quick driving, Volvo’s tuning arm made the V60 much more nimble. Adjusting the Polestar-specific Ohlins dampers is an sadly difficult affair – the fronts have easy knobs positioned beneath the hood, however to vary issues up in again, it’s important to elevate the automotive and take away the rear wheels. No fancy energetic valving or sport mode buttons right here.
Nonetheless, even with the automotive in an as-delivered center floor, turn-in is sharper and the physique is stored tightly beneath management, with restricted porpoising and virtually no physique roll. And the Polestar’s flashy gold brakes are sturdy and grabby, but simpler to modulate than anticipated given the regen obtainable from the rear electrical motor. Though the V60 isn’t as quick or as sharp as sedan rivals just like the BMW M3, it’s nonetheless an entertaining companion for a canyon drive, with a loveable je ne sais quoi persona.
Driver Help Stage: SAE Stage 2 (Arms-On) NHTSA Score: Not Rated IIHS Score: Prime Security Choose+
The 2023 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered comes commonplace with each security function within the automaker’s arsenal. Its Pilot Help lane centering and adaptive cruise mixture feels a bit of dated, with some bouncing round between the lane strains.
Effectivity: 74 MPGe Mixed / 31 MPG Mixed EV Vary: 40 Miles
Base Worth: $70,550 + $1,095 Vacation spot Trim Base Worth: $71,645 As-Examined Worth: $72,190
The Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered doesn’t actually have any one-to-one rivals – it’s the one sporty luxurious wagon for lower than $100,000. Nevertheless it’s a screaming deal in comparison with equally sized sedan fashions. The $76,995 BMW M3 is a little more highly effective and sooner, at 473 hp and 4.1 seconds to 60, and it affords the enjoyable of a guide gearbox. If most efficiency is the precedence, there’s the 671-hp Mercedes-AMG C63 S E-Efficiency, which we estimate will value between 80 and 90 grand when it arrives subsequent 12 months. However that plug-in hybrid’s 4,600-pound estimated weight matches its lengthy title, and agility suffers a bit consequently.
Should you’re hellbent on a quick wagon, the one different recreation on the town is the Audi RS6 Avant, which prices $126,895 to start out. BMW affords an M3 Touring long-roof abroad so there’s some hope the V60 Polestar will get a direct competitor quickly, however for now, the Volvo’s distinctive mixture of understated panache, fleet-of-foot driving manners, and spectacular cargo-carrying skill put it in a phase of 1. That’s advantageous by me – I’m used to being the one wagon fanboy at school.