It’s no secret that I’m a Volvo fan. But it’s also no secret that I’m a BMW driver. While I love Volvo’s sophisticated, understated design, I like agility, performance and am known to collect speeding tickets the way other women collect shoes. So while I’ve recommended the XC60 to many of you, I’ve done so with the caveat, “Oh, it’d be great for YOU.” I recommended it the way you tell your friend to marry that really nice guy you’re not attracted to. ‘Sure, go ahead and commit to that piece of white bread for the rest of your life’, I’m gonna go find me a piece of something truly tasty, complete with fruit and nuts! Until now.
Volvo took this adorable mid-sized SUV and then went a little crazy. They popped the T8 plug-in hybrid engine inside. That was smart move #1. Then they had Polestar tune it. Excellent move #2, for that added another 15 horsepower and 22 lb-ft of torque. Then they added gold seatbelts. Ummm, yes please action #3.
Please watch the video below for the rest of the gory details of this beautiful machine. And SUBSCRIBE.
But before that, let’s note the one thing about this car I just can’t forgive. They added manually adjustable coil-over dampers by Swedish manufacturer Öhlins. This is all fine and good–because stiffness is certainly a thing– for me at least (me who is actively ignoring the dirty joke). However, these are only adjustable outside the car. Whaaat? I’m way too lazy for that action! Not exactly sure what the thinking was there, but I’m not a fan.
If we’re looking for flaws, that’s kind of where it ends. It’s zippy, it’s fun, I’d drive it..even if I have to grab a screwdriver and pop the hood to get the ride I really want.