The Hybrid-Electric Sports Sedan | 2020 Volvo S60 T8 Polestar Engineered Review

[@jasonchang7517]

Love it but for the price there are so many other options out there.

[@PRNTestDrive]

That's how I felt after dropping off the keys. It's a fun car, definite sleeper, but I'll put my money in an M340i.

[@GadgetFreakism]

Im in Malaysia , we only got the T8 model available. Due to malaysia's rules and regulations were so good for Hybrid Vehicle , we get the T8 models fully speced (no B&W tho) for almost only half the amount u guys paying for . Whicn is around or cheaper then BMW's 330i . And yes, i ordered one , and specially ordered polestar engineered parts for it. Im happy for thing i get with the price i paid for, it's a bargain

[@PRNTestDrive]

That's really interesting! How does the pricing work, is it mainly government incentives/rebates that the buyer has to apply for in order to get the price down?

[@GadgetFreakism]

@@PRNTestDrive indeed , it's incentives paid by government , no application process needed though. Although we seldom get the chance of option picking on the car as they fixed a lot of stuff in order to have the car price controlled in more reasonable manner.

[@adidascanada416]

I own a 2019 S60 T8 Polestar and came from a Lexus RCF (because of kids). I'm happy with the vehicle. Agreed, it doesn't have the V8 growl I used to have but feel that for a sedan, the performance is enough. Even with the infortainment lag, the infotainment system is still better than Toyota/Lexus. :)

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad to hear you're enjoying yours, congrats on the purchase!

[@avpdallas]

I own a 2016 AWD R-Design Polestar. It was the last year making a 6-cylinder Straite line. I've beaten everything on the streets except the 700hp mustang and Shelby and the Dodge Charger Hellcat past 1/4 mile. My favorite ones to beat over and over are those Subaru WRX-STI, Maserati's, all Cadillacs and every single SUV/Trucks. Luxury, safety and performance, the best car with the most fun hands down!

[@Habsfan0]

I own a 2020 M340i since July 2020 and I love it. I have to admit, this car (the S60 Polestar) has peeked my curiosity. I love the look of the car and even though it's not as fast as the M340i, it looks like it's still pretty quick!

[@PRNTestDrive]

Thanks for sharing! The BMW is definitely going to be quicker, but it depends on what you want out of a car. People will recognize the M340i, whereas this Polestar Engineered is a bit of a sleeper.

[@suzannelarragoity186]

@@PRNTestDrive I had a 2020 m340 and hated the ride so much we got rid of it for an audi s4 and couldn't be happier. The m340 needs to have adaptive suspension. If not...Pass.

[@spaceexplorer6636]

Absolutely gorgeous looking and functioning Volvo with enough power to enjoy the ride. Best of all worlds. Love the manual adjustable suspension, simple and efficient, however you know dumb lazy people will complain how come I can’t just press a button. It’s simple you can’t with this system it’s manual, get engaged and involved because it will last much longer than any electronic shock! Volvo got it right! Car enthusiasts will understand.

[@PRNTestDrive]

I only wish getting to the rear adjustment points was easier, the front ones are nice and quick but having to jack up the rear to get those is a bit of a pain, especially if you want to boot around in sport then swap over to a softer ride for a family outing.

[@spaceexplorer6636]

Yes, I agree the adjuster in rear is a bit of a bear to do, it would have been nice to see some sort of extension to the adjuster protruding though the trunk with access from the trunk. It’s ohlins design that Volvo bolted on, similar to BC coil overs for aftermarket add on’s which work extremely well.

[@TheKeenMechanic]

Another great video buddy. Love your channel Nile

[@PRNTestDrive]

I always appreciate it, thanks! We've got some fun stuff planned over the next few weeks, 4 episodes filmed, just hoping I can keep picking up cars like usual this month 😷

[@TheKeenMechanic]

@@PRNTestDrive I hope we all go back to normallity soon Nile as it is so stressful atm. Will keep an eye out for your next episodes

[@Dajlec]

Buying a 2020 tomorrow:) they are extremely hard to come by...the only one currently sold in my country and as far as I was looking around, a lot of r-designs but I couldn't find a single other polestar.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Hope it works out for you!

[@waynebrissette9459]

I've been jazzing after an S60 T8, and they are extremely hard to come by. I found a 2019 Type R T8 and bought it. Yes, there are compromises, but overall, I still think it's a great car and absolutely gorgeous on both the inside and outside.

[@scottysvensson]

Type R? You mean R Design 🤨

[@waynebrissette9459]

@@scottysvensson : Yeah... R Design (Doh!)

[@PRNTestDrive]

Hope you ended up finding one!

[@vomErsten]

2020 is the last MY Volvo to get if you want a Polestar, because in 2021 you get saddled with the 112 MPH limiter in your 415 HP sports sedan. Yeah, I know, can't do it on the highway anyway, but it's yet another feature that this car won't have versus the competition. If they want to expand their customer base, they need to alter their thinking and broaden their appeal.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Volvo is moving in the direction of safety, as their 2020 model years are supposed to mark their milestone of ensuring that no person will die or be seriously injured in a 2020+ Volvo vehicle. Speed is a factor they consider to attribute to death/serious injury so based on their vision it makes sense.

[@vomErsten]

PRN_TestDrive Opinion: their vision is misguided. Fact: their S60 sales are flat-lining before they can fly. They can't market sporty on one hand but then both fail to tune the car to drive properly and also cap its performance on the other. I am interested in a Volvo for style and comfort, but I am not willing to give up the control over the car I can get from the Germans. I am not alone. If they want to steal me away from the competition, they need to evolve.

[@funkymonkey1198]

Will be a great 3 year old buy in the UK

[@PRNTestDrive]

Same here in Canada!

[@paulm6481]

Beautiful car. I take it in base T5. If I am really interested in going electric, give me a Tesla model 3. All the engine technology in T8 just scares me about reliability.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Reliability for these will be the ultimate killer in the used car market. If Volvo has made a solid engine these will be great pre-owned, or a nightmare if they need lots of repairs.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@PRNTestDrive Hasn't this engine been around since 2015 or so? The super/turbocharged Drive-E 4 was introduced on the previous xc60/s60. The complication is the electric engine that's been added to it.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

As electric cars more and more penetrate the market, the association of speed with sound will change. The Tesla 3 makes little if any motor sound and that's probably true of the Jaguar i-Pace. The thing about BMW is, it's so ubiquitous. The appeal of the Volvo s60, even a regular one is, it isn't seen around as much. I think the car comes at a steep price as it's really a higher performance s60 T8 R design.

[@PRNTestDrive]

That's certainly true about the full EVs out there, but there's plenty of aftermarket options to make small 4 cylinder engines like this sound a lot meaner. I liked the car, I just don't know how many Volvo will end up selling.

[@james2042]

Volvo does premium/luxury cars very well but they should really leave performance cars to other brands. I would love a S60 Inscription T8. If I wanted a track car I would get an outright track car, not some luxury thing with stiff springs and a minor hp bump. For the road I just want effortless power and smooth driving. Like my Grand Cherokee is fast, it has a hemi and a 3.73 rear end, I have never run out of power, but have definitely run out of speed limit. Sporty vehicles are fun for a week, maybe 2, but unless its an actual track car you actually take to the track, it will just turn into a big ball of regret you spent way too much in mods on.

[@PRNTestDrive]

I do believe we'll be getting the S/V60 T8 Inscriptions, based on the XC60 pricing is pretty much the same though. It's a fun concept, but I don't think Volvo is going to be selling too many of these Polestar Engineered models.

[@remiandrepedersen868]

Driving a Volvo, just feels more right, for some reason! It can also be tuned, to be faster.

[@PRNTestDrive]

I certainly enjoy my time driving these cars.

[@TheKeenMechanic]

The one thing I don't like is the orange seat belts. Bad idea as you will see all the grease and dirt on them very quickly

[@PRNTestDrive]

That might be why the rumoured change to black could happen for 2021.

[@TheKeenMechanic]

@@PRNTestDrive I hope they do. Whoever suggested and approved the orange colour made a huge mistake.

[@adidascanada416]

They are gold (bright yellow) in colour but yeah, a think you have a valid point.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

I don't know. It's a Polestar signature that goes with the brakes color. The Polestar 2 will get them too but not necessarily every trim on that car. As adidascanada mentioned, they're gold, not orange.

[@bmw9146]

I get my in april 2021😁 same color too.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Very nice! Long wait though, I don't know if I'd be able to wait that long for anything. Enjoy it when you get it!

[@bmw9146]

PRN_TestDrive I could have gone for the v60 ( would have gotten that one faster). I work at the factory in Sweden were it is built. But Sweden is a wagon country and s60 will stick out more. Hate the new speed limit to 180km/h. Great review and big thanks.

[@sjorsboon2168]

In the Netherlands this is by far the cheapest 400 HP CAR. IT is a GT, Not a performance car like S4 or 3 series. Next month I’ll be enjoying it!

[@PRNTestDrive]

Glad to hear it! This was a fun car, I suspect in the Euro markets this makes a lot more sense.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

seems overly complex for a 3rd place finish. does it even have front double wishbone? the last time they did that rear transverse leaf spring (in fiberglass) was the 1998 S/V90's!

[@PRNTestDrive]

The front suspension is a double wishbone, the cost cutting seems to be with that transverse leaf spring.

[@lookcloser4536]

PRN_TestDrive There are 2 suspensions layout at the rear. A Multilink suspension (3 links per wheel) and a leaf spring to add some « comfort » without doing any harm to the trunk space. I have one of these (a longroof one) and it’s actually really clever. So double wishbone at the front, Multilink + Leaf Spring at the rear. It’s very intelligent and modern and all I can tell is that it works very well. :)

[@o0julek0o]

Now this is a car and a half

[@PRNTestDrive]

Get the V60 and you've got yourself a car and three quarters!

[@o0julek0o]

@@PRNTestDrive So I guess an S80 should yield 2 cars.

[@PRNTestDrive]

I’d buy one of those in a heartbeat if I could budget it in.

[@o0julek0o]

@@PRNTestDrive ahh, wouldn't we all. Thought I still dream of your BMW

[@sbokhumsook1494]

what is color of this car ? Is this Thunder Grey Metallic or not?

[@PRNTestDrive]

This one was Osmium Grey.

[@sbokhumsook1494]

@@PRNTestDrive Very nice color. But no this color im my country (Thailand) . thank you very much. ^_^

[@Butchcub75]

Lame... if you want an exhaust note dont get an electric or PHEV. I own a 2020 T8 Polestar Engineered and Im getting 45mpg (US). Its drives great, its fast and handles the mountain twisties in SO CA..

[@shkooling]

Very nice. How’s the car doing now?

[@PRNTestDrive]

Fair enough

[@colinstu]

I want to like this car but too much shiny black plastic on the inside, not a fan that there's no lighter color interior options. The manual adjustment for the suspension also not great, they really couldn't afford to wire in four stepper motors to control those knobs at the top? And of course the ubiquitous: there's no manual transmission option complaint.

[@PRNTestDrive]

In terms of the suspension, I feel that Volvo specifically wanted to have a manually adjustable set-up even though they could easily make it electronically controlled. It feels like a bragging right to have it. I'm also not a fan of the black piano finish and silver decor trim, Volvo makes some really nice open pore wood, I'd much rather have that.

[@mrjm6752]

Target is people who want to stand out by not having a BMW, AUDI or MERCEDES like everybody else. They do not care paying way more for way less to make a statement. The value of used one we be crushed down because its a volvo that nobody will want to take care of in a couple years, meanwhile other brand hold their value because there is a healty demand on the used market for these cars. Maintenance, will be a nightmare, no 3th party support or used parts from crashed cars compared to the competition ...

[@PRNTestDrive]

I'll be very curious to see how this car plays out over the next 5 years, if Volvo sells enough of them to make more, and how they fare in the pre-owned market.

[@benjaminsmith2287]

@@PRNTestDrive Do the previous blue ones sell? If so, they'll sell these. It's a limited run car, just something a bit more in performance for T8 buyers to go to (though at a stiff cost penalty). I do think the distinctive blue of the previous version distinguished it more than the regular colors of the current model.

[@felixt1470]

Who the hell in Canada is going to pay more than $80,000 Cdn for a Volvo sedan?????

[@PRNTestDrive]

I'll be impressed if Volvo sells more than 20 of these nation-wide.

[@adidascanada416]

I did! :)

[@c05l24]

I will, currently have a Jag and do like it but the T8 powertrain is too good to pass up....performance and fuel economy with a Volvo interior, sign me up. For this money, I would likely go S90 T8 though.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

too many compromises

[@PRNTestDrive]

Fair enough

[@itburnswhenip671]

The back looks god awful but the rest is beautiful

[@PRNTestDrive]

The design might not be for everyone, but it definitely grew on me. The S80's rear is still a little funky for me.

[@sunshadow9704]

back looks amazing.