MY22.5 XC60 PE Extended Range Collection

[sk546]

Hi all, after collecting my new MY22.5 XC60 PE last week, I just through I'd post a few pics and give a little feedback on my very initial thoughts between it and my previous MY20 XC60 PE.

Firstly, Thunder Grey, what a lovely colour it is in the flesh. It looks so very different depending on the current lighting conditions. Really happy that I went for it.
Secondly, the new & more powerful hybrid drivetrain is alot better and more integrated than the previous system was. The electric motor (now 145bhp) feels so much quicker than the previous unit and really has good around town and faster road ability. The increased range (now 40+ miles) is a godsend especially with the current fuel prices as I can now do the vast majority of my daily journeys without even troubling the ICE, even dual carriageway work at over 80mph (which the previous car really could not do).

The Android Automotive system seems to be really good (and only getting better through the updates coming out for it) however, I have come across a few areas where the older Sensus system is better/easier to navigate to certain driving options. I'm sure in time and with further updates, the system will be almost spot on.

The ride and comfort of the car seems to be improved over the original version too. I have had to use harder damper setting on the Ohlins suspension in order to keep similar handling and body roll characteristics than with my earlier car but even with stiffer damping settings, the ride quality over broken Norfolk back roads appears to be much better. Obviously Volvo/Polestar have continued to refine the components used over the years and thankfully so.

I love the one pedal driving available when creep mode is turned off and B mode is selected. It makes town driving a doddle and seems to improve energy recuperation which in-turn helps to increase electric range.

Negatives:
There are a few areas where cost cutting/saving is quite noticeable from the earlier car. Floor mats, synthetic leather on steering wheel and the cheaper recharging cable manufacturers are the most obvious but I'm sure there are a few that I have yet to notice.

VOC/My Volvo app has much less functionality with the Android Automotive system than it had with the older Sensus system. Hopefully, Volvo and Google will improve this as time goes on but I'm not holding my breath after seeing how long it took them to sort out Apple Carplay compatibility.........

Steering feel and feedback in the new car seems to be alot less than in my older car. Still better than alot of EPAS systems about but its not as easy to place on the road or feel what the front end is up to as it was in my old car. This may be in an effort to reduce the often reported torque steer feel on the T8 cars (not something I noticed alot in my old car) but overall, still pretty decent.

I do miss the driving mode selection wheel in the centre console and the steering wheel paddle shifters but so far, the car drives and responds so well when just left in Hybrid mode, I wonder if I will miss them as time goes on.

Overall, I am very impressed with the new MY22.5 car and the advancements made with the Hybrid drivetrain. Lets hope this continues as time goes by and the mileage increases.

[MrM83]

Looks beautiful. I think thunder grey is a great colour. Congrats!

[Matt90]

Looks amazing. I’m 3 months in to my XC90 with the extended range and with the warmer weather and B mode I’m managing my 46 mile round trip to work on full electric driving super carefully.