XC60 D5 vs T8 Thoughts
 

Hey Guys,

Just got given a loaner XC60 R-Design Pro D5 AWD and I've got an Inscription Pro T8 AWD.

Whilst the T8 definitely has more power (mine also has the Polestar upgrade where as this loan car doesn't), the AWD system in the D5 feels a lot better handling wise and through the steering wheel. Not sure if its a T6/T8 thing but maybe 300bhp through the front wheels just feels like that even with the electric motors at the back on the T8 variants - not sure.

Otherwise, I personally prefer the Inscription seats to the R-Design seats, but on the other hand prefer the fact you can get black headlining with black seats in the R-Design model and can't on the Inscription.

Noticed the wheel has gearshift paddles as well, never even knew that was an option!

Both are really cool cars though, was surprised how "AWD" the D5 feels compared to my T8! Shame they don't do a T6 AWD in the UK would be a nice car to test.

I nearly went for the R design but it was the dark headlining that put me off and you can't option a light roof lining, I wanted a nice light interior after having 3 dark leather interiors in a row so I went with the Inscription in Blond Nappa and wood trim. Also you could not have a heated steering wheel at the time on the R design, I think you can now though.

Paddles standard on Design Pro, the main reason I went for the Design Pro.
Mine also has heated steering wheel.

I agree that the difference in power over the T5 and T8 is the reason why you get torque steer, the electric motor is not powerful enough to keep up with the front under full acceleration, and certainly a little worse with Polestar.

But tbh it is no worse than back in the day with hot hatch FWD just more lively and you have to be on the ball a bit more :) it does not bother me, fact is it is a very very fast car when you want it to be.

Yeah I completely agree its very fast, but after driving this D5 more I think I can safely say in this comparison;

X60 T8 Inscription Pro (Polestar) with Air Suspension & 20" Alloys
X60 D5 R-Design Pro with Air Suspension & 21" Alloys

That the D5 model handles a lot better, not sure if its weight distribution, 4WD/AWD system, different suspension setup, but in London it handles a lot better than my T8 - the T8 is obviously a lot more powerful than the D5 but I'm not necessarily sure that directly equals better.

Would be very interested to try a T6 XC60 AWD to see if its the engine or the hybrid AWD setup or the battery & hybrid engine weight or all of them!

Was also surprised that 21" alloys didn't feel noticeably harsher than my 20" alloys - is the R-Design air suspension setup any differently to the Inscription air suspension or is it the same when not on standard/adaptive coils?

I assume it’s the same with the Rdesign for the XC60 as with the V90 Rdesign, they have a sports chassis which is supposed to improve handling although perhaps a firmer ride, but with air suspension perhaps you don’t experience the firmer ride and just have the benefit of less roll in corners.

Have you tried the previous D5 AWD version, IMHO it is far better.

We have had two older style D5 AWD's and have also test drove the new style D5 AWD and T8. Interior finish and tech are slightly better on the new versions but the handling is wafty, it is the only word that describes it. The limited positive feedback from the steering even with the settings at their maximum is disappointing.

Our D5 AWD is coming to the end of its 5-year manufacturer's warranty this year, it is unlikely to be replaced by the latest XC60. A T6 AWD with improved steering feedback is not available. A pity that Volvo think they know best in the UK and limit what we are allowed to buy.

I agree, my last 3 xc90 mk 1 D5's handled much better on winding country roads, you could really drive them enthusiastically, I don't get the same confidence with my new D5 but it does improve a little when put into dynamic mode with lowered air suspension and slightly stiffer steering, but still does not feel as sure footed as my older models and those had standard 18" wheels and higher profile tyres..

The R-Design Pro with air suspension and 21" alloys in dynamic mode feels pretty good handling wise to me, in fact I'm surprised there's such noticeable difference in handling between my car and this loan car I'm in.

Do we know if the air suspension is different between R-Design Pro and Inscription Pro cars?

Failing the availability of a T6 XC60 anytime soon, would be nice to try the Polestar upgrade on this D5 and see what that does to it.

I'm guessing it's also the weight of the batteries in my T8 and as MaDProFF said there's a big discrepancy between the power rating of the front engine and the rear engine.

Just surprised at the difference between the two cars that's all. I'm also surprised that this R-Design has one inch bigger alloys and feels a lot less crashy over bad roads in London - but I'm guessing that might be the extra weight in the T8 or something similar.

Interior finish and tech “slightly better”?? C’mon now.. comparing first gen XC60/V60/XC90 interior and tech to SPA cars is like comparing a roman galley to a space ship.. and that comes from someone who owned a first gen XC60 and a V60- and I loved both of the cars, just to be clear.

Handling wise- test an RD (non-pro version..) car and tell me what you think.

I’d also disagree on the steering feel/feedback. No volvo was ever a BMW- but the SPA-generation adaptive steering is head and shoulders above the first gen cars’ fixed-ratio steering..

Air suspension is the same on all trims. Only the RD standard suspension setup is different- 30% stiffer springs and 10mm lower..