I’d get whichever one had the combination of best price, low miles, and best condition that you can find. Beyond that, they both have pluses and minuses so it’s pretty much a wash, so whichever one you like the best is what you should scoop up given your limited opportunities to be picky with a rare specialty vehicle with very few examples on the market at any given time to choose from. The tc one looks slightly better imo with a bit of a lower, more level drop, it’s quicker, and the trans is better in normal use. People have said that the 6 feels like it has more grunt at times but isn’t as quick, but it also seems to be slightly less problematic. The 6 currently has more aftermarket support in terms of speed parts so it may have the potential to go faster if you are looking to modify it. Both are great and whichever one is ‘best’ is generally considered a matter of personal preference here.

 

For whats its worth, the true T6 (read 6 cyl) Polestars got the T6 at the very end of their production run meaning they were very well sorted. The 4 cyls are the first years of the VEA engines which are known for oil consumption and ring issues like the early T5s in the P3. Like @Bunnspeed said, the 6 cyl has much more aftermarket support. With a proper exhaust the 6cyl can sound pretty mean, and at the risk of sounding like a boomer; there's no replacement for displacement

 

Don't forget the transmission - the 6cyl version has the older TF-SC80 6-spd which shifts more slowly. The 4cyl version gets the newer 8-spd with quicker shifts. The six will always sound better, and it has more aftermarket today, but as time goes by the differences will be minimal. I think any reason to choose between them is minor and mostly personal preference.

 

I just went through this myself, and I ultimately ended up with a 2018.

I don’t regret my decision in the slightest because at the end of the day I got the chance to own and experience an amazing car either way. I may be biased coming from a 2018 V60CC, but I love the 8 speed transmission for starters. As far as sound is concerned, I didn’t find it to be much of a tie breaker because to me they’re not comparable… the 6 cyl sounds nice for 6 cyl reasons, and the 4 cyl sounds great for twin charged reasons. Ultimately what made me more willing to spend the money came down to my own personal taste for the styling in the 17-18’s (ie the additional stitching in the seats). While it doesn’t add any horsepower, it just made it feel like I was getting more bang for the buck…

As for the aftermarket argument, since owning the CC from 2020, there has been multiple additions to the 4 cyl market and more options to come. There’s intakes, piping kits, do88 intercooler, TME down-pipe, diverter valves…. All of the important supportive mods you could buy are offered, so that wasn’t a tie breaker for me either.

There was no indication of how long I could be waiting for a 2015/2016, and even less certainty of if I’d beat someone else to it when I did find something. As the others have said it really comes down to personal taste/preference etc but I’d go take the 2017/2018 for a drive and if you love it like I did, I don’t think you’ll have any question about making the “right” decision.

 

I have driven several of the 4 cylinders and have a six cylinder (not true polestar, but polestar tuned). It's an absolute sin neither are a manual transmission, but personally I prefer the six... it just pulls so smooth. Both are far more fun than the new T8 cars IMO (and I'm not against the tech, I absolutely love the pure electric C40/XC40).

Both are wonderful cars and would be the envy of myself.

 

I managed to find a dealer that had both and was able to test drive them each for half a day. In sheer performance terms (acceleration, shift speed or handling) I couldn't really separate the T4 and T6 on the road - but the T6 Sport Mode soundtrack always made me smile - one of the best 6-cylinder engine notes I have come across (my car history includes 911 993s, 911 997s and an M3 CSL).

The T6s are harder to find, and nigh on impossible to find in Rebel Blue - only one came up in my 8 months of searching, over 200 miles away, and I was beaten to the purchase by another buyer. A month later it was back on the market (finance fell through) and I pounced. Every time I get into it, it just begs to be driven faster and my long term 20 mpg average is proof of that! Fuel economy is reportedly closer to 30 mpg in the T4.

 

The I-6 T6's Polestars were only produced from 2015.5 through the 2016 model year. There were 1560 of them exported to North America. Of those 1560, 80 were Rebel Blue. So, if you have a V60 T6 R-Design Polestar in Rebel Blue, you have a very rare car. I consider myself very lucky to have owned one of those for the last 3 1/2 years also. The car is a blast to drive. I love seeing the looks on people's faces when they get outrun by a Volvo station wagon. It really catches people off guard.

 

It’s really a game of trade offs. The 6 cylinder is going to sound better and be more reliable, and there are more aftermarket parts for it (which isn’t to say there aren’t parts for the 4 cylinder too). The real difference is the 6 speed on the 6 cyl vs the 8 speed on the 4 pot. The TF-80 is a very slow shifting, comfort-tuned transmission, doesn’t rev match downshifts even in manual mode, etc. The 8 speed is much snappier, with crisp downshift rev matching, quicker shifts, and more of a performance feel. So it’s more just a matter of what is more important to you: that glorious straight six sound or a better transmission.
Shame these cars were never offered with a manual like the super rare S60 Polestar they made with a 500hp 6 cylinder and a manual. That’s a super cool car. Apparently they made around 10 or so, all priced around $400k, basically just because a super rich Volvo enthusiast wanted one and asked them. The “regular” Polestars are begging for a stick too. But I digress.

 

I've got a 2017 P*, and I really like the 8-speed transmission. I can't compare to the 6-speed, but I've had other cars with 6-speed transmissions of that era and they were slow and clunky. The 8-speed feels like the 7-speed DCT that was in my Audi S4. Nice quick shifts and good programming. It seems to always be in the right gear when I need it.

I think I read somewhere that the smaller engine/trans combo with the 4-cyl allows more wheel cut, and so a tighter turning radius, but I could be remembering wrong.

 

I think I read somewhere that the smaller engine/trans combo with the 4-cyl allows more wheel cut, and so a tighter turning radius, but I could be remembering wrong.

You remember correctly. It's also a little bit lighter than the six-cylinder model. I sold my '16 P* 15 months ago and recently got a '22 V60CC. The eight speed would have been a wonderful thing in that '16.

 

I’ve driven the 6 speed in my old XC90 V8 R-Design and the 8 speed in my mom’s 2020 V60CC. The 8 speed is a vastly superior transmission, although I’m sure the Polestar S/V60 has much better programming for both transmissions. The 8 speed is inherently sportier though, being that it shifts faster, has shorter gearing on the low end, and especially since the 6 speed doesn’t blip downshifts, which is kind of unacceptable in a performance car imo. But the turbo 6 cylinder sounds way cooler. I’d have trouble picking if I were in the market for one.

 

Thank you guys so much. Those are very helpful opinions! Just curious, are there aftermarket transmissions or tunes for the 2015/2016 S/V60 Polestar models?

 

For tune, I know that Viva Performance sells Heico. It isn't cheap though...

Heico Sportiv e.Motion, Volvo S60/V60 Polestar

ViVA Performance specializes in performance and maintenance car parts and accessories for Volvo, Polestar, and Saab models.

www.vivaperformance.com

I'm not aware of an aftermarket transmission option for the 2015/16 P*. Viva also sells Heico's throttle response software

Heico Sportiv e.motion Speed Pedal Tuning, Volvo P1/P3 Models

ViVA Performance specializes in performance and maintenance car parts and accessories for Volvo, Polestar and European vehicles

www.vivaperformance.com

As others have said, if you're interested in a Polestar that responds to modding, you want the 3.0l variant - just be aware of that transmission's limits. I'm very happy with the 2.0l out-of-the-box performance. Its acceleration is a bit slower than my old E63 AMG wagon, but it is way more responsive and balanced. Sport+ mode is a hoot on mountain roads.

 

I have a 2018 V60 Polestar, Cyan Blue, for sale.
I can’t seem to figure out how to add the link, but it’s still listed here in the marketplace.

 

2018 V60 Polestar

1 owner car in near perfect condition with 66100 All service complete and up to date. Stealth hidden hitch with all attachments. Perfect for bike racks and towing Two wheels with minor rash. Volvo Platinum Extended warranty through 110,000 miles or 4/2026.

www.swedespeed.com

Wagon with the best color - you're gonna regret it! GLWS!

 

Like many here, I went through the same debate; having driven both a few times. The 6 cylinder with the polestar exhaust is probably one of the best sounding stock cars ever produced. And yes, there is more aftermarket.

The 4 cylinder car though, has a lot less weight over the front axle, so it is naturally more neutral. The AWD system has a better design/ programming, and the 8 speed automatic is absolutely manic in how hard it likes to shift in sport mode. It also does some nice rev matching when downshifting, and really does a good job at holding a lower gear in a turn. As much as I absolutely love a good engine sound, the experience the 8 speed brings to the table (along with less front axle weight) makes me prefer the 17-18 more for the composite driving experience.

Thats also to say the 4 cylinder isnt terrible sounding.. you would think it was great if you hadn't ever heard the angel's symphony that is the 6.

 

Those numbers are high - it was only 120 cars in 2015.5 and maybe 260 in 2016.

 

I have a 2018 Cyan blue V60 P*, and while I am sure the T6's are very nice in their own way, I wouldn't trade my TC 4 cylinder for one. In sport mode, the supercharger spools up while at a standstill giving electric car thrust from a standstill. I personally love the carbon fiber bits and the seats only available on the '18s. There seems to be some fear of the TC 4 cyl engines. I do not share in those fears. It has been the most reliable car I have ever owned through 4 years and 70K miles. Other than a seized alternator bearing and a passenger window regulator, it has been flawless. No oil leaks. I do treat it well with oil changes every 5000 miles.

Every year of the 4 year production run is unique. Whatever you get, it will be special.

 

i was wondering if you have a picture of those seats, as i have the 2015 (original run, not the 15.5) and i cant seem to find any differences between pics of the 2018 seats and mine.

 

Yeah, I heard the S60 Polestar Sedans (Rebel Blue) were rarer as there were more wagons brought to the states (and worldwide)

 

seems like that is indeed the difference. funny how they changed it for the last model year, cant imagine that being a cheap thing to do

 

I dont think the I4 has a smaller turning radius. Yes, the motor is narrower but they didn't redesign the suspension system and front chassis to get any turning radius benefit when going from the 6 to the 4.

 

Actually, I think they did. Folks have driven the cars back-to-back and have reported this. Also, auto writers said the same thing when the car was released.

For me, anything better than a P2R was an improvement!

 

The I4 P* definitely has a smaller turning radius compared to the I6. I was fortunate to drive both back-to-back. That said, the I6 isn't as bad as the V70R, but that's not saying much

 

Interesting because the i4 I have is still terrible in that regard. Then again the last car was a bmw i3 that could do a u turn on a 2 lane road.

 

Have yet to compare to a 6cyl but I love my 2018 4-banger blue P*!

(No not THAT blue, the other blue)

 

I purposefully purchased a new 2016 with the V6 vs a 2017. I have had multiple service advisors tell me I made the correct choice over the 4 cylinder. I never asked what they based the comment on, but I assume it has to do with problems with the VEA over the tried and true V6. I do concur with the comments that the slow transmission shifts lets the car down.

 

Don't know what VEA stands for, but the service advisors probably know of problems some owners have had with 2.0L supercharger issues.

 

VEA = Volvo Engine Architecture introduced back in 2014

I don't think there is a Volvo model for the consumer market that isn't using VEA Drive-E the past couple of years now. For good or for ill, they've double-downed on this platform across the board. Given it's extensive use and breadth across platforms, I'm sure Volvo would have found design flaws (and addressed them) by now.

Even that nice Cyan P1800 uses a Drive-E block.

 

There is nothing wrong with VEA as such. The problems are focused around the oil ring issues that were sorted in 2016 and from what I understand the complexity of the supercharger and turbo combination in the T6 engines. I would say that is the tradeoff one has to accept for the performance superiority the VEA has over the 6cyl counterpart.

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