We've been pleased with our 2022 Polestar 2 electrical vehicle. For those unfamiliar with this EV, Polestar was the performance division of Volvo before separating into an electrical vehicle company. Polestar and Volvo (and Lotus) are now owned by Geeley. We use the Polestar for local trips and, with our expanded solar panel array, we easily re-charge the Polestar battery without additional PG&E costs.
Our experience with our Audi A5 was very good until fall 2022. In September, the SOS warning system no longer functioned and repeatedly blasted a loud alarm every minute. The alarm stopped after a month - not sure if the alarm mechanism is now broken. Shortly afterwards, the A5 lost Bluetooth capability (no mobile phone services), GPS became inoperative as the map now wanders over oceans and mountains while we reside in town and the sign recognition service only works sometimes. Apple CarPlay provides an alternate GPS service but the Audi issue prevents any CarPlay calling out or receiving calls for mobile phone service. The mobile phone will ring through CarPlay but it can't be answered until the driver pulls over to use the actual phone. It seems the problem also caused the interior microphone to become unresponsive. The dealer told us a telecom module has most likely failed. It has been almost four months of waiting for the part to be delivered from overseas. Rumor says the failing part is waiting for manufacture in Ukraine - so there's that issue, as well. There were about 10,000 2020 Audi vehicles delivered just in the US that use this telecom module. From what I've read, other Audi model lines also use the same or similar failing part. Audi Customer Service indicated that 2,400 new modules were manufactured in December for 'world' distribution. (Update: In late January 2023, warranty repairs were made that seem to address the mentioned problems. We're watching for any relapses.)
The above situation and interest in reducing our gasoline use has led me to consider a PHEV - a plug-in hybrid electrical vehicle. More specifically, I've focused on a Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered (PE) Recharge AWD model. This is an estate car or, alternately, referred to as a 'wagon.' We've owned two SUVs in the past but I now prefer a lower riding auto that has additional carrying capability. This car is the same length as our Audi hatchback. The V60 seems to offer a great combination of power, interior space, comfort, 74MPGe and all wheel drive. The V60 PE Recharge is a very fast Volvo - which is unusual to many. This vehicle has almost a 50 mile range for running solely on electrical power. With careful driving, owners report an overall 45-55mpg. l've been told that there may be only 200 V60 PE PHEV estate models allocated for US delivery for 2023. This creates somewhat of a challenge for locating and purchasing this model. If we proceed with this purchase, the V60 will be the third Volvo we've owned over 40 years. Our first Volvo (245) still drove nicely for 14 years (though long-term maintenance became costly). Presently, we have a 2023 V60 PE Recharge reservation for an early summer delivery - presuming we lose confidence in the Audi and decide to sell it.
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