Home · 2013 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered Plug-in Hybrid · Complaints

What 66 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered Plug-in Hybrid

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (66)Crash / fire / injury (4)Visibility & wipers (29)Electrical system (9)Airbags (7)Body & structure (5)Engine (3)Brakes (2)Driver assistance (2)Steering (2)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1)Equipment Adaptive/mobility (1)

Newest first · 66 complaints · page 2 of 3

Oct 15, 2021Visibility & wipers

Water is leaking down the inside of the windshield while driving in rain. It comes from the top edge and streaks down the drivers side (left side). I spoke with a mechanic that services my vehicle and was told if it was a sunroof drain issue it would be coming down the pillars and getting on the floor. They were confident that it was the windshield that was leaking and referred me to a local auto glass business for repair. I read on a car forum about other Volvo car owners having the exact same problem with their Volvos that are around the same age as mine. It seems to be a glass adhesion failure that consistently occurs on the top edge of the Volvo OEM windshields. The forum is located at https://beranek.agrrmag.com/2015/04/volvo-glass-bonding-issue/ I also contacted Volvo about what I had found and having it covered by them, and they asked me to first get it inspected by a Volvo dealer before they would decide whether or not they'd pay for the repair. I spoke with someone in the service department of my nearest Volvo dealer and they wanted to charge me $300 just to inspect it. The date of the incident I'm giving below is the date that I first experienced the water running down the inside of the windshield while driving. Thankfully I had something within reach to wipe it with as I was doing 60 MPH on the interstate highway.

NHTSA ODI 11436878

Sep 2, 2021AirbagsVisibility & wipers

The problem started 2 years ago and has progressively become worse. The original windshield is leaking water, which drains down inside the A-pillar and windshield. Water also leaks into the air-bag in the A-pillar, and moisture may come in contact with the electronic parts in the dashboard, creating a safety issue and a potential fire hazard. Last year I contacted Tucson Volvo for help, and they referred me to JD Auto Glass (520-370-6599). The local dealer refused to take any responsibility for this safety defect. There have been heavy rains recently in Tucson, and water is dripping onto my lap while I am driving, and trying to wipe the dashboard dry. This causes a major distraction and obstructs my vision, since the water continuously runs down the inside of the windshield glass. Yesterday I contacted Tucson Volvo again, and they referred me to Tony's AutoGlass (520-889-2422). The Owner/Manager of Tony's AutoGlass informed me that leaking windshields are a very common problem with Volvos. I believe this is a very serious safety defect, and am seeking help from your office. Thank You!

NHTSA ODI 11431557

Jul 26, 2021Electrical system

The contact owns a 2013 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 5 MPH, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The contact stated that the electrical features ceased to operate in the vehicle. The contact stated that his wife was unable to activate the hazard lights. The contact's wife was unable to exit the vehicle as her driver’s side door would not unlock. His wife was forced to flag down a construction worker who pulled the door open from the outside. As soon the door opened, the lights began to work, and all the electrical features returned. The contact's wife was able to restart the vehicle and drive home. The contact left a message with a service advisor at a dealer to notify them of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11426484

Jul 12, 2021Visibility & wipers

The windshield leaks in rain.

NHTSA ODI 11424368

Jul 8, 2021Visibility & wipers

Noticed rain entering car from front windshield on the driver's side. Car was taken to an auto glass company thinking it was a seal. The technician showed me that there was no seal on the top of the windshield. He informed me that if I pushed the top of the windshield up I could confirm the seal was broken. He suggested I take it to the dealer ship because this was not a new issue. When I took it to the dealership the female auto adviser said she had not heard of such a problem. I contacted Volvo and was informed I needed to take it to the dealership for them to diagnose but did not indicate whether or not they would correct the damage.

NHTSA ODI 11423938

May 3, 2021Visibility & wipers

UPPER SEAL ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS FAILED. WATER LEAKS ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ON DRIVERS SIDE, INTO THE UPPER LIGHT CONSOLE AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND IS OTHERWISE IN GREAT CONDITION. THE WINDSHIELD IS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ODI 11415025

May 1, 2021

THERE IS A LEAK ON MY FRONT WINDSHIELHE, DRIVERS SIDE.. WHEN IT RAINS WATER SEEPS IN.. THE LEAK IMPACTS MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING. EG: YESTERDAY ICE COLD WATER WAS DRIPPING ONTO MY LAP WHILE I WAS DRIVING (DISTRACTING), AS WELL AS OBSTRUCTING MY VISION WHILE IT RAN DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE GLASS ). IT SEEMS MANY VOLVO OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY XC60'S. APPARENTLY THE SEAL DID NOT ADHERE CORRECTLY THEREFORE, EVENTUALLY ALL XC'S WILL EXPERIENCE IF NOT RECALLED BY VOLVO. THE AIRBAGS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND IF NOT FIXED, MAY LEAD TO DEATH FOR MAY VOLVO OWNERS. PLEASE HELP US WITH VOLVO CORPORATE. THIS MATTER REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

NHTSA ODI 11414733

Apr 14, 2021Body & structureVisibility & wipers

WHEN RAINING OUTSIDE WATER DROPS INSIDE ON THE DRIVER FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL . THIS JUST STARTED ON A 7.5 YEAR OLD CAR BUT WITH ONLY 47,850 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS GETTING WET AND IS TOTALLY DISTRACTED AND, IF IGNORED, THE BODY WILL RUST, LOOSENING THE WINDSHIELD.. THE CAR CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN IN THE RAIN WITH THIS LEAK AND IT CANNOT BE LEFT OUTSIDE AT ALL IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF RAIN, UNLESS THE WINDSHIELD IS COVERED WITH PLASTIC. IF I IGNORE THIS THE CAR WILL RUST AROUND THE WINDSHIELD SO AS TO WEAKEN IT'S ROLE AS A PART OF THE SAFETY CONSTRUCTION TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI 11408026

Apr 13, 2021Electrical systemSeats

EVERY TIME IT RAINS WATER RUNS IN FROM SUNROOF AND OR FRONT WINDSHIELD GOT TO WHERE YOU CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IN THE RAIN ANYMORE IT IS SO BAD. STILL HAS THE FACTORY WINDSHIELD IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11407973

Apr 12, 2021Visibility & wipers

WHEN IT RAINS, WATER LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF MY WINDSHIELD DOWN INTO MY CAR. IT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. WATER STARTS TO STREAM DOWN THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO TAKE A TOWEL AND WIPE IT DOWN AS I AM DRIVING TO SEE. THE WATER ALSO DRIPS DOWN ONTO THE CONSUL AND ONTO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER LEGS AND FEET. THE INTERIOR GETS WET AND SMELLS SOURED AFTER EACH RAIN. I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED DUE TO FAULTY ADHESIVE AT THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS OTHER CASES AND I AM DISAPPOINTED THERE HAS NOT YET BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11407598

Mar 9, 2021Visibility & wipers

WHEN RAINING, WHILE IN MOTION, THE WINDSHIELD IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER WILL LEAK DIRECTLY ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THESE LEAKS WILL DRIP ONTO THE HANDS OF THE DRIVER OR THE STEERING WHEEL OR WILL RUN DOWN THE WINDSHIELD, ON THE INSIDE. WHEN DRIPPING TO THE STEERING WHEEL, THE WHEEL BECOMES HARDER TO GRIP AS IT IS COVERED IN COLD WATER FROM THE OUTSIDE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIPS CAN BE DISTRACTING AS COLD WATER DRIPS ON THE DRIVER'S HANDS. WHEN RUNNING DOWN THE INSIDE, THE DRIPS OBSTRUCT SIGHT AS WELL AS DISTRACT THE DRIVER WHILE IN MOTION. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DISTURBING WHEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, IN HEAVY RAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11399894

Feb 27, 2021Body & structure

WATER LEAKAGE INSIDE OF FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD DURING LIGHT RAINFALL. CAR WAS STATIONARY. LEAKAGE IS CONTINUOUS EACH TIME IT RAINS. VOLVO XC60 2013 3.2 ENGINE

NHTSA ODI 11398195

Feb 22, 2021Visibility & wipers

WINDSHIELD LEAKS SEVERELY WHEN IT GETS WET. THE LEAK IS FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD AND DRIPS ON TO THE DRIVER, STEERING COLUMN, DASHBOARD AND RUNS DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW. IT LEAKS IN RAINSTORMS, SNOWSTORMS, WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT GETTING RAINED ON AND ESPECIALLY IN CAR WASHES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, HAVING TO TAKE HANDS OFF OF THE WHEEL TO WIPE THE INSIDE OF A WINDSHIELD DURING A STORM AND DRIVING TO BE ABLE TO SEE CLEARLY IS A HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI 11397312

Dec 29, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT INITIALLY CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND SPOKE WITH THREE DIFFERENT REPRESENTATIVES WHO REFUSED TO INFORM HIM IF THE VIN WAS UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT THEN SPOKE TO AUTOBARN VOLVO CARS OAK PARK (1140 GARFIELD ST, OAK PARK, IL 60304) WHERE HE WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.*DT*DT*JB*JB

NHTSA ODI 11385446

Dec 17, 2020Visibility & wipers

THERE IS A LEAK IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THERE ARE NOT CRACKS, BREAKS OR ABRASIONS ON THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THE PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THAT ALL GLASS COMPANIES IN THE AREA ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SAY THAT IT IS AN ORIGINAL/MANUFACTURING ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF IT IS RAINING WHILE I AM DRIVING THEN THIS WOULD IMPAIR MY VISIBILITY AND CAUSE DISTRACTION. ALSO IF AN AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY THEN IT WOULD COULD CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE CAR. I DIDN'T HAVE A LEAK UNTIL I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE. THEY RAN IT THROUGH A CARWASH AND THEN AFTERWARDS I MAGICALLY HAD A LEAK IN AN AREA THAT IS WELL KNOWN FOR FAILING.

NHTSA ODI 11383914

Dec 1, 2020Visibility & wipers

FACTORY INSTALLED WINDSHIELD SEAL IS UNBONDED AND WATER RUNS DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AND RAIN, REDUCING VISIBILITY WITH NO WAY OF CLEARING IT WHILE DRIVING. WATER PENETRATION FROM THE WINDSHIELD ALSO PRODUCES CONDENSATION, FURTHER REDUCING VISIBILITY. YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING IT BEGAN RAINING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WATER BEGAN RUNNING DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND I COULDN'T SEE CLEARLY ENOUGH TO CONTINUE DRIVING SAFELY, SO HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DURING BUSY TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH.

NHTSA ODI 11377260

Oct 13, 2020

WHEN ENTERING THREE LOCAL INTERSECTIONS THE CITY SAFETY AUTO BRAKE ENGAGES EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED AT THESE 3 LOCATIONS. THEY ARE LIGHT CONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS WITH INGROUND SENSORS. SPEEDS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LESS THAN 10 MPH. THE MOST CONCERNING EXAMPLE WAS THE BRAKING STOPPED THE CAR AND THEN WHEN MY SPOUSE ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION IT STOPPED HER AGAIN AND SHE WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED. ALL THREE APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN UPDATED OR ARE NEW. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR PROBABLY A YEAR AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT THESE INTERSECTIONS 100% OF THE TIME, BUT THESE ARE THE ONLY INTERSECTIONS WE HAVE HAD THE ISSUE, IN THE 4 YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT WHEN IT WAS IN FOR OUR LAST OIL CHANGE AND THE COMPUTER IS NOT INDICATING ANY ERROR CODE ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. SO THE SYSTEM THINKS THERE WAS SOMETHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. I HAVE NOT FOUND VERY MUCH ONLINE WHEN TRYING TO SEARCH THIS ISSUE. THE DATE I AM LISTING WAS THE MOST RECENT. WE DO HAVE A VIDEO FROM YESTERDAY.

NHTSA ODI 11364139

Oct 2, 2020Engine

THIS VOLVO EXPERIENCES "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" PERIODICALLY (ESTIMATED AT 2 TIMES PER YEAR) SINCE IT WAS NEW. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MANIFESTS ITSELF GENERALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP (RED LIGHT, DRIVE THRU RESTAURANT, PARKING LOT) BUT HAS HAPPENED ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE RACES TO FULL THROTTLE AND LUCKILY, FOR THE INSTANCES SO FAR, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITH THE BRAKES. THE ACCELERATION LASTS FOR ROUGHLY 1-2 MINUTES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED (MAY 31, 2020), I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE ENGINE RACED TO 8,000 RPMS, HELD THERE FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN THE TO THE DEALER (QUANTRELL VOLVO, LEXINGTON KY) TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. AT ONE POINT, THE VOLVO ENGINEERING TEAM SUGGESTED A NEW TRANSMISSION TO FIX THE ISSUE, WHICH WAS DONE AT VOLVO'S EXPENSE BY THIS DEALER, AND STILL THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE MOST RECENTLY IN SEPTEMBER (9/25-9/29) 2020. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A "CODE" TO EXPLAIN THE FAULT AND STATED THEY THEREFORE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I THEN ESCALATED THE ISSUE TO VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS GIVEN THE SAME RESPONSE. I CAN UPLOAD DOCUMENTS FROM THE DEALER IF NEEDED, ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE IN GETTING THIS CAR FIXED WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ODI 11362380

Sep 1, 2020Visibility & wipers

WATER LEAKS BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CAR DUE TO A BAD WINDSHIELD SEAL. YOU CAN PUSH FROM THE INSIDE AND SEE THE WINDSHIELD LEAVE THEY FRAME OF THE CAR. THIS CAUSES MILDEW TO FORM IN THE CAR AND I HAVE SPEND MANY $100S TO REMEDY. TO REPLACE WINDSHIELD IS $1000 BECAUSE OF THE RE-CALIBRATION OF ELECTRONICS THAT IS NEEDED.

NHTSA ODI 11352449

May 31, 2020Visibility & wipers

FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH A DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. IT LEAKS WATER INTO MY CAR AND ON ME WHILE I'M DRIVING. THE WATER TURNS TO MOLD UNTIL I SHAMPOO IT OUT. IT AFFECTS MY VISIBILITY DRIVING. I'VE TRIED TO GET IT FIXED BUT I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF WAS TESTED AND IT IS NOT LEAKING IN THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORUMS OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I WORRY IF I SPEND 1,000 ON A NEW WINDSHIELD THAT IF THIS IS AN OEM PROBLEM IT WILL LEAK AGAIN. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS BOTH DRIVING AND STATIONARY. BUT IN THE MEANTIME I WORRY ABOUT MY FAMILY GETTING SICK FROM MOLD IN THE CAR EVERY TIME IT RAINS AS WELL AS WHEN I'M DRIVING MY VISIBILITY. VOLVO NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RESEALING ALL OF OUR WINDSHIELDS FOR FREE AND REPLACING FRONT CARPETS. I AM NOT EXPERIENCING ANY ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHICH IS GOOD.

NHTSA ODI 11326656

Apr 16, 2020Visibility & wipers

I GUESS IT'S A COMMON TRAIT WITH VOLVO.... MY FIRST VOLVO SINCE.STEPPING AWAY FROM MERCEDES AFTER 39 YEARS.... THE SEAL ON THE WINDSHIELD HAS STARTED TO FAIL AND LEAK JUST ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL..... OFF TO SAFELITE AND DITCHING WHAT HAS BEEN A SUBSTANDARD VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11321310

Dec 19, 2019Body & structure

I OWN A 2013 XC 60. IT HAS ADHESIVE FAILURE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR OVER TWO YEARS. EVERYWHERE I TAKE MY VEHICLE THEY TELL ME THAT IT IS PROBABLY THE SUNROOF LEAKING. (SAFELIGHT WHO VOLVO SAID I SHOULD USE) WE HAVE CHECKED ALL THE SUNROOF DRAINS AND IT IS NOT THE SUNROOF IT IS 100% MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I WAS TOLD BY ONE VOLVO DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER PULLING IT OUT FOR ME BUT IF THE WINDSHIELD BROKE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR A NEW WINDSHIELD. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL FOR THE WINDSHIELD LEAKING. I DO BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. MY CAR GROWS MOLD IN THE FLOORBOARD FROM IT LEAKING SO BADLY. SO I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO SHAMPOO OUT SO THAT MY FAMILY AND CHILDREN DO NOT GET SICK.

NHTSA ODI 11290174

Dec 17, 2019

MY WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING FROM TWO AREAS ON THE TOP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THERE ARE NO OBVIOUS CRACKS OR SCRATCHES WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE SEAL IS DEFECTIVE. AS THIS IS PART OF THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY AND WITHOUT A CRACK, THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11289637

Dec 14, 2019Airbags

A MONTH AGO PURCHASED A 2013 VOLVO XC60 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. ON 12/9/19 THE AIRBAG ICON APPEARED WHICH SAID," SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT." SINCE I LIVE IN NEW YORK AND BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE OUT OF STATE IN ( VIRGINIA) , I CALLED A VOLVO DEALERSHIP NEAR ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER THAT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HAD ANSWERED THE RECALL AND IT WAS THAN FIXED IN 2015. I TOLD THEM IF THAT WAS THE CASE , THAN WHY IS THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING AGAIN, AND IS 2019. I ALSO EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THIS APPEAR TO BE A DEFECTED ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL SINCE THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN OR IT WAS NEVER ADDRESS PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE BY VOLVO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE A RISK AND CONCERN , IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY LEADING TO INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI 11288998

Oct 19, 2019Airbags

SRS WARNING

NHTSA ODI 11269549

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Working with the data? Download all 66 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 18, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered Plug-in Hybrid verdict →