Volvo XC40 D4 Polestar Upgrade - Worth it??

I took the plunge and went for the Volvo Polestar Engine Tune upgrade. What do you get and how does it compare to standard?
Spoiler Alert!!!
The upgrade has been taken off and refunded!!😢

[@dezrok1]

I've been looking everywhere for a video like this. Thank you for posting it!

[@luisrodrigotrejogrimaldo2231]

Thanks for making this video. You saved me money

[@johnw4590]

Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate. I was wondering about this upgrade 🤔

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Your welcome. It seems the D4 gets the least real world power difference from other engines.

[@miguelabrantes3965]

I added the polestar kit to my XC40 D3 geartronic fwd and noticed a large difference. The torque increase helps a lot in the acceleration. It is clearly expensive but with all the volvo certificates and no loss of warranty seems like a nice way to go if you are looking to improve the car's driving behavior.

[@oloferlksson3317]

I have polestar uppgrade every volvo i own and the biggest diffrence is the power in middle revs and how the gearbox handles for me is no brainer its worth every little penny

[@martinmoser6734]

The same I can tell you about my T5: Polestar is a must-have. Unfortuantely it is no more available for the Mild-Hybrid Petrol engines.

[@pawellenarczyk1089]

@@martinmoser6734 check the site now! They start to offer to both b4 diesel/petrol right now

[@UncleHo5]

For my 2017 xc 60 (prefacelift) in the specs is stated that will rise from 193 HP to 225 HP. I will do mine in Sept.

[@e46Kyle]

Thanks for the comparison! Curious what precisely the upgrade claims to do. Does it actually add horsepower? Or just change throttle response? Does it change transmission shift points? From your video it looks like the factory "dynamic" setting might accomplish most of those things anyway.

[@martyjackson4806]

Nice to see Flat Eric over your shoulder on a shelf. I think I'm going to go for RaceChip Tuning set up. It's transferable to a 2nd car as well.

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Haha. Well spotted! Let me know how the race chip performs. I might need to test it.

[@Mirror1973]

Yes it is! Just did mine today and the change in my vehicle is insanely better! My local dealer had a 100 dollar discount available that expired today and decided to use it for the upgrade

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Ok. Maybe they have changed the mapping. Is yours a D4?

[@Mirror1973]

Ash LOVEsTECH mine is a T5 FWD, I’m in the USA. I must add, the service technician did explain the optimization varies from model of car and engine type, same with the price

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Yep. I’ve heard other engine models see a bigger difference. Enjoy! D4 not so much. ☹️

[@BestDad89]

I had it done and I love it! Worth every £££ sorry you didn’t like it…

[@marka3239]

I had the upgrade on my V40 T5 and it made a really big difference, I now have an XC 40 T5 and have had it installed and it has made a very small difference. It was well worth it on the V 40 but not so much on the XC 40

[@sethchanmz]

What is the main difference in V40 ya?

[@TheKevzx6r]

Was considering this however it’s a v40 d4 8 gear auto. To be honest I was quoted £770 to polestar map and after watching this video it makes naff all difference. Well very marginal! Good upload thanks.

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

It’s ok ish. But not worth it for that money for me. Thanks for watching

[@TheKevzx6r]

@@AshLOVEsTECH Got the car bench mapped. Now 235hp and 470nm torque. Now running optimal power without compromising limitations of engine or gearbox. 👍🏼

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

@@TheKevzx6r wow. Impressive!big difference I expect.

[@shaunphill]

@@TheKevzx6r How's the map/car doing now? Was the performance worth the fuel economy? (Only asking as I'm on the fence between a Polestar upgrade or remap for my D4)

[@TheKevzx6r]

@@shaunphill Get it remapped properly mate. It’s a bench remap on v40 d4. Absolutely transformed it! Polestar is complete rip off and pitiful gains. Remember that’s how the car should run. 👍🏼

[@alexeidmitriev1692]

What eventually was needed to see. No real difference except kick between gears. Wish polestar engineers same kick, but to the nuts I'm using T4 for S90, really disappointing

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Agreed!

[@GPPhotography1]

We will be getting our Volvo V60 upgraded next month. I do not expect huge changes to the acceleration in general - like you demonstrated already in the video. Having 40Nm more torque earlier and quicker/more consistent shifting is my main reason for doing the upgrade.

[@vytkaz]

Hi Peter! How is your upgrade? Whats your experience? I have d4 manual, wondering maybe on manual its no even worth?

[@GPPhotography1]

@@vytkaz For a manual transmission I doubt that you feel that much of a difference. The additional 40Nm are noticeable more on the passenger seat and less on the driver seat - I do not know why maybe I am currently concentrating a little more on the car. What you notice more is the quicker shifting and it feels more smooth.

[@GPPhotography1]

@@windo-bus6469 If you are having an automatic gear model than the optimisation would be noticeable in all drive modes. Smoother and quicker shifts. The performance distribution of course is mostly available in the polestar drive mode - similar to the regular drive modes.

[@windo-bus6469]

@@GPPhotography1 That’s great, actually I’m looking mostly forward to gearbox update. Thanks for answering :)

[@ciprianslatineanu440]

I drive S90 D4 Inscription, I can feel the gearbox respond a bit slow, need 1 sec sometime to change the gear, I m planing to upgrade the Polester on 28th I dont do it for HP only to sort the gear shift, I will update soon the comment.

[@ciprianslatineanu440]

Job DONE. Honest I drive a diferent car, the gear chamge fast and very smooth. My car is D4 so is diesel. I recomad it if you get a good deal by Volvo.

[@DeviantDrones]

@@ciprianslatineanu440 thanks for the update, very interesting to see you had a different experience, I may try it if an offer comes up

[@griscencoalexandru2751]

@@ciprianslatineanu440Salutare. Cunosti cumva pe cineva cu motorizarea D5 care a facut acest upgrade? Se simte diferenta? Nu ma oot hotarî.😂

[@barrywalls5666]

Its clear even from the Polestar Upgrade website which has the power changes listed from standard to Polestar optimised that the Petrol Engines get the better boost in actual spec. The T5's will get a noticeable difference where the D engines will get on average around 40nm of torque and about 1-2 sec quicker 0-60mph, so a 10% increase which will be hardly noticeable by many. The Auto Gear box also gets a remap so it takes longer between gear changes to feel more sporty so mid range power will feel better in a diesel, thus people commenting that they like the difference. Personally I have a 2015 S60 D4 181bhp 400nm car which has one of the fastest 0-60mph across the current Diesel range (from 2014 on) and I am happy with my 0-60mph of 7.4 seconds (7.3 with Polestar) and I like the way it drives from the factory. I did consider the upgrade, but the extra insurance cost (yes its a 10% insurance premium to Polestar upgrade) and the way I liked the car currently made me decide against the upgrade for such minimal gains. The main selling point was it was an official Volvo upgrade so it won't ruin the car like most racing chips could. I thought I would share my research as it sort of aligns with why some may not like the upgrade.

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

All very valid. Thanks for sharing.

[@clewis5220]

Great comment- Aviva insurance didn’t charge me extra for this in my 2016 v40 D4 as they classed it as an optimisation not a modification

[@marcuslee3256]

I was wondering if I should get polestar upgrade for my 2021 XC90 T6, after watching this video I am crystal clear of what I am going into. Thank you for your video!

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

If the t6 is petrol I think the results will be better than my diesel. Thanks for watching.

[@Gozar111]

As I understand you have to drive the car aggressively for some kilometers after the upgrade before you will feel a change. It learns somehow.

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Not sure but just ordered the new all electric xc40 on Volvo subscription. That should make a difference 😳. Will make a video on that one when it arrives. Sadly September.

[@zermattgully]

Isn’t one of the key features of the Polestar upgrade that it changes the front/rear drive drive split? With Polestar active there’s at least 40% drive going to the rear wheels ALL of the time...whereas in other modes, Comfort or Eco ...it’s predominantly FWD unless the AWD system detects a need to push more power/traction to rear wheels. So it’s a handling upgrade as well as a [small] power and torque upgrade?

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Thats the first I’ve heard of that. could be, but in my straight line tests it would be hard to tell.

[@bavers]

Hi, did you get the Polestar removed? I have just had my V40 D3 done and it took it from 150bhp to 177bhp. I love the extra power now. But I think the D4 only gets 10bp gain? Plus they had an offer at £595 which I didn’t think was too bad.

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

I did. Now chopping her in for the P8 Recharge. Should see a big difference there I hope 🤣

[@rickywinthrop]

Man. That thing is a real slug with or without the upgrade. I drive a 2015 v60 rdesign with the polestar tuning stock and its completely mental compared to this.

[@Manuel-vl9fh]

What Polestar mostly does (at least in an XC60-T5, my case) is to change the car behavior (or feeling) in "regular driving", not when flooring. When you kickdown there is little difference due to the slightly higher power, not very noticeable as you have assessed in you video. However, in daily driving you feel the car much more lively. Besides, the gearbox works much better with Polestar, is faster and the shifting points are more appropriate. In "Polestar mode", for instance, you can drive on a downslope without requiring manual downshifts. Don't you have this same feeling with the XC40-D4?

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

After having driven it for a week now with Polestar installed, I think you’re right. Although the D4’s gearbox does some quirky things more than before. Randomly changing gear, or holding a high gear when it’s clear I’m not ‘going for it’. I’m actually preferring to drive in comfort mode than polestar. It does a better job at that. Overall it seems more responsive, but ultimately on the diesel version, it’s not good enough for me to keep. It will be returned. I’m disappointed as I really wanted to feel more from the upgrade.

[@MrRokper]

I tested V60 D4 CC and was very disappointed with how transmissions behaved. It was extremely hesitant and slow to respond. The "kick down" was a disaster. Was that any better with "Polestar optimisation'". If not, something more fundamental has gone terribly wrong at Volvo (or Geely), screwing up implementation of a perfectly good gearbox. The same (Aisin auto-8 speed) transmission in BMW X1/ X2 works very decently though. So clearly, it's electronics. The question is, is it only software, or hardware as well. Perhaps ECU and transmission electronics are not very compatible or some emulation is needed. Perhaps sensors and actuators on accelerator are low quality. Perhaps interfaces are screwed up and there's simply not enough bandwidth between all of those elements. Who knows...I suggest, you compare with it BMW X1/X2 20dXdrive, I'd like to hear your opinion. Design wise, I prefer Volvo, but if it's so screwed up even Polestar can't make up for it, than I'll (sadly) have to go for BMW. And all just because of some sloppy engineering...

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

@@MrRokper If I do manage to trial the X1/X2 I'll let you know. For the Volvo, now with nearly 2 weeks with Polestar, the day to day general driving and need for quick turn of speed is better than standard. Just not much! What I don't understand is if Volvo can improve day to day drivability via polestar software, why its not implemented in the first place as standard build. The kick down and general gear changes are not great as standard. For the 10bhp increase polestar brings, I can live without that.

[@alexeidmitriev1692]

@@AshLOVEsTECH Exactly. If it is an option, why so unclear difference with default mode. What do we pay for? I didn't know about their return policy but seems like the numbers of negative feedback ares o big that they had decided not to fight with each and every customer. My car is 1 week old and definitely I'm not keen on installing 3rd party optimisation now. Maybe in the future, because there are definitely extra capacities in this engine

[@makkeyn]

@@AshLOVEsTECH do you mean comfort mode got better than without polestar?

[@dancam3269]

Hi have a look at my similar test cheers Dan

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Link?

[@redpawny8989]

Polestar is simply a software "upgrade" where it stays in lower gear a few seconds longer before shifting to the next gear. It is NOT a hardware upgrade. I test drove xc40 T 2021 R-series with Polestar and without. I was VERY disappointed as the difference was minor for such a major price difference. Salesman kept trying to switch modes to avert taking about the "25 HP" difference; documentation claims "15 HP" difference. It looks like a very nice car, but the performance was sub-par imo for a $46K (sticker price) [$42K invoice].

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

That’s correct.

[@norishooor]

Good fa ya ! Bravo ! Fa that kinda money we should expect some more... In my country for D4 Inscription, (Diesel) they said that from 190HP and 400nm , I'll get 200hp and 440 nm torque, for about 1500euros... Well, with your review, I kinda change my views... Sorry, but that looks kinda crap! Thanks fa that ! Not worth it....

[@TheZsoltika2682]

Hi. Just wondering how much was cost. I've just bought an S90 with the polestar badge on it. And I didn't know what that meant till now. Thanx

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

From memory it was between £650-£800 depending on the deal they had going on at the time.

[@hdtvkeith1604]

The Polestar upgrade feel like a placebo money grab considering it does almost nothing. Most the of tT5 XC40 here in my area all have the package added. Woudl have preferred they leave that off and put the HK audio in most of them.

[@MementoMori-xx5qo]

The gearbox computer is flashed and haldex too. Read the Volvo document and youll understand the cost.

[@hdtvkeith1604]

@@MementoMori-xx5qo Regardless, $1200 for virtual little or no difference is a money grab by dealers and Volvo.

[@adamashok6750]

Buddy av got d5 r design and Volvo changed my drive train but did not get polster but my car flys

[@adamashok6750]

My d5 has been done your d4 has no power pulse mine has hell of a difference

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Ferdus Ali I wish that had been the case for me 😥 but the d4 upgrade just doesn’t make enough difference to justify the cost

[@kEirenic]

Does polestar upgrade improves off-throttle responds? I dislike xc40 lack of responds of xc40 I step off the throttle paddle. The car doesn’t seems like gonna slow down.

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Not that I noticed

[@kEirenic]

@@AshLOVEsTECH too bad. I have to skip it then. Btw Thanks for the reply

[@lleifior2]

Read this with some trepidation yesterday, I'd committed to a half price deal from my selling dealer. I have to say it has transformed my 2020 V60 Cross Country T5. Bargain

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Sounds like only the D4 doesn’t get much of a boost. Which is a real shame, as I really wanted it to.

[@ericliu7362]

Thinking about doing this to my exact same car. How’s it been driving since?

[@lleifior2]

@@ericliu7362 Lot better in the mid-range, especially less lag in overtaking. Not quite as good as my old BMW 335d...:-)

[@lleifior2]

@@windo-bus6469 No change in the non-Polestar modes as far as I can tell.

[@damohalls2192]

Does this affect insurance?

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Probably. If you tell them 😁

[@clewis5220]

Aviva uk classed it as an optimisation not a modification so my 2016 V40D4 insurance didn’t go up after install. It’s ok but holds onto gear in a corner ( for safer cornering?) which can take the revs a bit too high for my liking in a Diesel lol

[@JesusChrist-bu1kf]

Rip off. I remapped my TT and is made a huge difference 25bhp extra + 60 Nm Torque

[@ganuv]

Give me a break you don’t do it on the diesel car

[@garciakcfan]

What engine is that?

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Diesel D4

[@garciakcfan]

@@AshLOVEsTECH how much horsepower is the d4? I only ask because I own a s90 t6 and I absolutely love the polestar upgrade and it’s worth every penny in my opinion.

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

@@garciakcfan Its the 190bhp version

[@garciakcfan]

@@AshLOVEsTECH I think your expectations were a little high maybe? Especially for an engine that only puts out 190hp to start with. Lol. I know there’s a lot more to the upgrade than 10 extra hp. 200 hp is lackluster in any car.

[@jasper_north]

Not worth buying a female XC40

[@fargogemini694]

Slow and very slow

[@AshLOVEsTECH]

Yep. Got the P8 twin full electric now. Night and day difference. 😁