Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Polestar Review

Electric Car Experts review the Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Polestar

Look and Living

The family size SUV Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 Polestar plug in hybrid is unmistakably a Volvo on approach. The familiar front grill and the new ‘T-lights’ first featured on it’s sibling, the Volvo XC90. It has a more rounded front than when first launched which I find pleasing to the eye. The view from the side is also quite sleek for an SUV. The rear view is tidy and looks compact for a car of this size. The charging socket for this PHEV is on the front left wing with the petrol filler cap being at the rear right.

The Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar is a mid size SUV, comparable to the BMW X3 or Audi Q5. Inside there is plenty of space for 5 adults. The finish in this example, the Inscription, was very high. The leather upholstery was very soft and the seats comfortable with plenty of adjustment. The instrumentation was very clear with 100% LED driver instruments and a large touchscreen in the centre console, both with high definition. The steering wheel has a chunky soft leather feel to it which was sporty. It also features the usual controls, phone, volume, etc. However I found the black plastic inlays in the steering wheel let down the overall appearance.

Entertainment

The touchscreen control panel was very clear with its HD screen. The satellite navigation was excellent, showing charging stations and adapting journeys for charging stops.

Entertainment is provided through the DAB radio or apple car play/android auto. The standard speaker system is more than adequate with great sound throughout the cabin.

Fit and finish throughout the cabin is excellent. Storage is good with a in-armrest compartment, glove box and door pockets. Overall the finish is high quality, although the glass ‘crystal’ gear selector is a bit odd and not to my taste.

Look and Living 8.5/10

Technology

The Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar is highly specified. The 9 inch centre display is a work of art. The HD glass touch screen is stunning in its clarity. The sat-nav is extremely clear and easy to use. Entertainment, as mentioned above include, DAB, apple car play, android auto and Spotify in-car app.

Driver aids include cruise control with driver assist. The system includes camera and radar technologies which regulates speed and direction. With a combination of automatic acceleration, braking and steering it makes staying-in-lane and negotiating stop-start traffic easy. You  can drive down the motorway only touching the steering wheel every few minutes.

The 360 degree camera and kerbside cameras give great visibility and makes parking a breeze.

Performance and drive 9/10

Range, charging and greenness

Like all hybrids the Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar has good range, the combined range being 350 miles. Volvo quotes 28 miles for electric only and 134 mpg in hybrid mode. The model we drove achieved around 20 miles in electric only mode and after a few thousand miles was averaging a little over 30 mpg.

Charging the 10.4 kw  battery of the Volvo XC60 will take around 8 hours or an overnight charge.

C02 output of 73 is above average for a hybrid but about right for a hybrid SUV.

Lets be honest though hybrid SUV’s are more about savings on Company Car Tax than saving the environment.

Range, charging and greenness 6/10.

Specification and Extras

The Volvo XC60 Recharge comes in four models, the Inscription Expression, R-Design, R-Design Pro and Polestar Engineered). All are very well specified and need little additions. The extras however are expensive when added.

The base model XC60 Recharge starts at £51,340 on the road with the Polestar Engineered starting at £64,090.

Specification and extras 8/10

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