2018 Volvo V60

2018 Volvo V60 Polestar Drivers’ Notes Review

Just in time for the reveal of the new 2019 Volvo V60, the outgoing 2018 Volvo V60 Polestar arrived at Autoblog HQ. We drove the refreshed model last year. While we were impressed, compared to the competition, the car was expensive and dated. Still, the limited-production model was never going to be a runaway success and a diehard Volvo enthusiast was never going to look for anything else. It is the only wagon in the class, too.

The V60 Polestar is powered by a “twincharged” — supercharged and turbocharged — 2.0-liter inline-four and sends power to all-four wheels through an eight-speed automatic. That powertrain replaced the turbo inline-six and six-speed auto from the original Polestar V60. In addition to the powerful engine, Polestar fitted adjustable Öhlins DFV shocks, stiffer springs and stiffer anti-roll bars. Polestar models come with 20-inch wheels and summer tires, though this one was wearing winter rubber.

Inside, the V60 Polestar comes with heated sport seats with black leather and blue stitching. The same color combo can be found on the shift boot, center console and steering wheel. There’s matte carbon-fiber trim on the center stack that matches the carbon front splitter and mirror caps.

Associate Editor Reese Counts: To say I have a soft spot for Volvo wagons would be an understatement. My grandpa had a huge influence on my love for cars (I now own his old ’99 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG). As a kid, I remember poking around in the garage to get a look at his Volvo 1800ES. Along the way he also owned Volvo 200, 700 and 900 Series wagons. My mother owned a Volvo V70 R that regularly blew the doors off Camaros and Mustangs at stoplight drags. I learned to drive in that car. In fact, the only vehicle that had more of an impact on me growing up was probably the Chevy Corvette. My dad has owned 17.

This was the first time I’ve had a chance to drive a Polestar-tuned Volvo. In our review, we said that the V60 Polestar was a car for Volvo enthusiasts. I am that enthusiast. Sure, for $62,595, I could get a whole lot of other cars. The 2018 Audi S4 that’s currently in the Autoblog garage is a perfect example. Compared to the Volvo, the Audi is quicker, more comfortable, more refined and features a thoroughly modern interior. It just lacks a certain jazz that the Volvo simply oozes.

I love the bright blue color and the Polestar design cues, like the carbon-fiber splitter, rocker panels and mirror caps. Not a fan of these 20-inch spoked wheels, which look tacky. Inside, the Polestar blue stitching is sporty and the interior is smartly laid out. But like Reese notes, the V60 is based on ancient bones. The interior, with some cheap looking materials, shows its age. Still, I had a blast in the V60 Polestar. I like what it is and what it does. But $62,595 feels lofty. I’d take my money elsewhere.

Denree Smith Author

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