2020 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered

We’re off to Canada in the 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered. It appears similar to the standard midsize XC60. But differences by Volvo’s long-time racing partner begin under the hood… where a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4… teams up with a plug-in hybrid powertrain…. producing 415-horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque. That’s 15 more horses and 22 more lb-ft of torque than the standard plug-in hybrid. They say that will shave about a-tenth-of-a-second off 0-to-60 to less than 5-seconds. Electric only range is up to 18-miles. 

As expected all-wheel drive provides great grip for the road, with an electric motor now powering the rear wheels. An 8-speed automatic swiftly handles the gearing.  A new strut bar connecting the front suspension towers boost chassis rigidity. Unusual outside-the car manually adjustable dampers, and selectable drive modes also help create a more dynamic drive.

The Polestar treatment naturally means more power up there but it also faster and the shifts are quicker.

Their enhanced staregy also applies to the suspension… it is a sportier… but not necessarily as stiffer than of the other European brands we’ve driven. It swiftly adapts to the road while keeping things comfortable in here… and naturally you have that overall solid feeling that Volvo is know for.

Beefier gold painted brake calipers signal there’s more to this mid-size crossover than you might expect.

Inside, Volvo’s sophisticated take on modern luxury and comfort… mixes with sportier accents and gold colored seatbelts. 

The 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered stays true to the brand’s style, safety and capability… while adding a dose of sportiness… starting at under $70,000.