Going for walks, seeing some cool cars.

[Nedmundo]

Polestar 2. Polestar is Volvo's line of (slightly) more affordable electric cars.

Cool! I've seen a few of those in Philly and I spoke with one owner, who loves it. On Friday, I tested a Volvo S60 Recharge plug-in hybrid, which happened to be the top performance Polestar trim. Among other thing, it adds sport seats and an adaptive suspension.

It was fantastic, and one of the best cars I've ever driven. The acceleration is amazing, with the electric torque making it feel almost like a Tesla Model 3. I was pleasantly surprised by the handling and steering feel, because Car & Driver and others have criticized both, but at least in this Polestar trim ($67k) I thought they were decent. These days, if a car produces any steering feedback whatsoever, it's a win, and this one does. It had plenty of grip for my purposes.

I'm not interested in spending on the Polestar version, but a less expensive S60 Recharge could very well be in my future. I'd prefer to go fully electric, but we take enough road trips into rural areas (Maine, north-central PA) that I'm not sure it's a great idea...yet. Plus, with about 40 miles of electric range, we wouldn't burn any fuel in local driving, even out into the suburbs and back.

 

[Mike N]

Polestar 2. Polestar is Volvo's line of (slightly) more affordable electric cars.

Price?? I'm curious as to what "(slightly) more affordable" is considered.

 

[definenredefine]

Cool! I've seen a few of those in Philly and I spoke with one owner, who loves it. On Friday, I tested a Volvo S60 Recharge plug-in hybrid, which happened to be the top performance Polestar trim. Among other thing, it adds sport seats and an adaptive suspension.

It was fantastic, and one of the best cars I've ever driven. The acceleration is amazing, with the electric torque making it feel almost like a Tesla Model 3. I was pleasantly surprised by the handling and steering feel, because Car & Driver and others have criticized both, but at least in this Polestar trim ($67k) I thought they were decent. These days, if a car produces any steering feedback whatsoever, it's a win, and this one does. It had plenty of grip for my purposes.

I'm not interested in spending on the Polestar version, but a less expensive S60 Recharge could very well be in my future. I'd prefer to go fully electric, but we take enough road trips into rural areas (Maine, north-central PA) that I'm not sure it's a great idea...yet. Plus, with about 40 miles of electric range, we wouldn't burn any fuel in local driving, even out into the suburbs and back.

Overall we liked it. My biggest complaint was how much of the systems were controlled with the giant tablet in the center console. I don't like having to go through menus when I'm trying to adjust the AC. I think that's a common complaint, so I hope automakers are listening.

Price?? I'm curious as to what "(slightly) more affordable" is considered.

Starts at $48k - Polestar 2 – Our 100% electric car | Polestar US - too much for me to consider. My wife and I have good incomes but we can't imagine dropping that much on a car.

It appears the Polestar 2 is aimed more at the middle of the BEV market. I think they'll get undercut by the new BEV Equinox which GMC is claiming will start around $30k.

 

[Nedmundo]

Overall we liked it. My biggest complaint was how much of the systems were controlled with the giant tablet in the center console. I don't like having to go through menus when I'm trying to adjust the AC. I think that's a common complaint, so I hope automakers are listening.

Yes, the tablet interface is one of my main concerns, because I also don't like multi-layered menus. Volvo recently adopted a Google system, but I've read it isn't much better than the prior system. In the car I drove, at least the screen was very responsive, which makes it more tolerable.

Virtually all touchscreen systems get heavily criticized by the auto journalists, for good reason IMO, but the automakers seem committed to this approach so I'm not sure they're listening. I'm fine with a touchscreen, provided the most commonly-used controls have buttons or knobs, like volume, tuning, and AC. Our Subaru had a decent balance between physical controls and the touchscreen, but the touchscreen itself performed so poorly that it was a hassle.

 

[definenredefine]

Yes, the tablet interface is one of my main concerns, because I also don't like multi-layered menus. Volvo recently adopted a Google system, but I've read it isn't much better than the prior system. In the car I drove, at least the screen was very responsive, which makes it more tolerable.

Virtually all touchscreen systems get heavily criticized by the auto journalists, for good reason IMO, but the automakers seem committed to this approach so I'm not sure they're listening. I'm fine with a touchscreen, provided the most commonly-used controls have buttons or knobs, like volume, tuning, and AC. Our Subaru had a decent balance between physical controls and the touchscreen, but the touchscreen itself performed so poorly that it was a hassle.

That's my thinking as well. My car has no touchscreens but is chock full of soft buttons and has these weird, touch-based metal strips for temperature control. My wife's car has a touch screen but the AC and volume are all controlled with knobs or buttons.

 

[India_Sierra]

Yes, the tablet interface is one of my main concerns, because I also don't like multi-layered menus. Volvo recently adopted a Google system, but I've read it isn't much better than the prior system. In the car I drove, at least the screen was very responsive, which makes it more tolerable.

Virtually all touchscreen systems get heavily criticized by the auto journalists, for good reason IMO, but the automakers seem committed to this approach so I'm not sure they're listening. I'm fine with a touchscreen, provided the most commonly-used controls have buttons or knobs, like volume, tuning, and AC. Our Subaru had a decent balance between physical controls and the touchscreen, but the touchscreen itself performed so poorly that it was a hassle.

I drive Volvo V60 and V90 V6 models at work (and a V60 CC B5 though that isn't my preference). I hate cars that run most of their functions through touchscreen systems. They're still not 'immediate' or even close and I hate having to take my eyes off the road to adjust something.

My allocated work car is a Skoda Superb 280 TFSi. It has a 'tablet' with the nav functions on but the HVAC and drive resulted controls are all physical knobs and buttons. I much prefer that to the Volvo systems, and the Volvo systems are definitely on the more responsive side of things.

 

[Mike N]

That's my thinking as well. My car has no touchscreens but is chock full of soft buttons and has these weird, touch-based metal strips for temperature control. My wife's car has a touch screen but the AC and volume are all controlled with knobs or buttons.

I'd love to know what goes thru an engineer's mind when they design some of this stuff. There's cars I get in that basic controls are laid out logically and easy to understand, and others where you need an engineering degree to figure out something simple like starting the car or rolling down the window.

I've always subscribed to the KISS theory..... Keep It Simple, Stupid.

 

[Stewie26]

Cool! I've seen a few of those in Philly and I spoke with one owner, who loves it. On Friday, I tested a Volvo S60 Recharge plug-in hybrid, which happened to be the top performance Polestar trim. Among other thing, it adds sport seats and an adaptive suspension.

It was fantastic, and one of the best cars I've ever driven. The acceleration is amazing, with the electric torque making it feel almost like a Tesla Model 3. I was pleasantly surprised by the handling and steering feel, because Car & Driver and others have criticized both, but at least in this Polestar trim ($67k) I thought they were decent. These days, if a car produces any steering feedback whatsoever, it's a win, and this one does. It had plenty of grip for my purposes.

I'm not interested in spending on the Polestar version, but a less expensive S60 Recharge could very well be in my future. I'd prefer to go fully electric, but we take enough road trips into rural areas (Maine, north-central PA) that I'm not sure it's a great idea...yet. Plus, with about 40 miles of electric range, we wouldn't burn any fuel in local driving, even out into the suburbs and back.

 

[BadSanta1281]

I'd love to know what goes thru an engineer's mind when they design some of this stuff. There's cars I get in that basic controls are laid out logically and easy to understand, and others where you need an engineering degree to figure out something simple like starting the car or rolling down the window.

I've always subscribed to the KISS theory..... Keep It Simple, Stupid.

I'll second that opinion.

We recently went for a ride in the backseat of my friend's new Tesla. I asked him to disengage the window lock so that I could roll my window down. He fiddled with his touch screen for at least a minute and a half and couldn't figure it out. He was able to roll my backseat window down from the driver seat, though.

Then as we finally started rolling he spent more time looking at the screen than looking out the windshield.

I felt some anxiety when I figured out there was no direct mechanical connection, like a handle, to open the doors from the inside. I can envision certain circumstances when that could be a problem.

I'm content driving my old vehicles. My newest is a 2006 4-Runner. I feel like there's a technology sweet spot that started with OBD but before everything became touch screen. The controls on all my vehicles are fairly similar and intuitive... and I can turn the AC on without taking my eyes off the road.

 

[FilterFunk]

I'll second that opinion.

We recently went for a ride in the backseat of my friend's new Tesla. I asked him to disengage the window lock so that I could roll my window down. He fiddled with his touch screen for at least a minute and a half and couldn't figure it out. He was able to roll my backseat window down from the driver seat, though.

Then as we finally started rolling he spent more time looking at the screen than looking out the windshield.

I felt some anxiety when I figured out there was no direct mechanical connection, like a handle, to open the doors from the inside. I can envision certain circumstances when that could be a problem.

I'm content driving my old vehicles. My newest is a 2006 4-Runner. I feel like there's a technology sweet spot that started with OBD but before everything became touch screen. The controls on all my vehicles are fairly similar and intuitive... and I can turn the AC on without taking my eyes off the road.

For the same reasons, I'm sticking with my 2005 Honda CR-V. Everything works, it's easy to operate, and it's been paid off for 12 years!12 years of no car payments has been a very good thing!

Besides, I just really like the vehicle! It's like a faithful friend; we've been through a lot together.

 

[Mike N]

For the same reasons, I'm sticking with my 2005 Honda CR-V. Everything works, it's easy to operate, and it's been paid off for 12 years!12 years of no car payments has been a very good thing!

Besides, I just really like the vehicle! It's like a faithful friend; we've been through a lot together.

Does your 05 have the factory picnic table that my 03 had??

 

[definenredefine]

I've always subscribed to the KISS theory..... Keep It Simple, Stupid.

As a stupid person, I agree.

 

[FilterFunk]

Does your 05 have the factory picnic table that my 03 had??

Yep, but I've never used it. I use that sunken space under it as a pseudo-trunk at least once a week, though.

 

[Nedmundo]

For the same reasons, I'm sticking with my 2005 Honda CR-V. Everything works, it's easy to operate, and it's been paid off for 12 years!12 years of no car payments has been a very good thing!

Besides, I just really like the vehicle! It's like a faithful friend; we've been through a lot together.

I feel similarly about our 20010 Acura TSX, which we bought 13 years ago this month. It's been incredibly reliable, and is still a blast to drive with great handling, the high-revving VTEC motor, and a sweet six-speed manual. If it weren't for its lack of modern safety tech, I'd keep it for a few more years, at which point BEVs will have better range, and charging will be more accessible throughout the country.

But I really want the safety tech. For example, our block in downtown Philly is teeming with little kids and dogs, and most people walk in the street instead of on the sidewalk, so a backup camera is extremely useful for leaving our garage. I don't even have one of those, let alone pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, both of which could also be very helpful.

So I want to get something when new car prices stabilize at a more reasonable level, hopefully early next year.

 

[FilterFunk]

I feel similarly about our 20010 Acura TSX, which we bought 13 years ago this month. It's been incredibly reliable, and is still a blast to drive with great handling, the high-revving VTEC motor, and a sweet six-speed manual. If it weren't for its lack of modern safety tech, I'd keep it for a few more years, at which point BEVs will have better range, and charging will be more accessible throughout the country.

But I really want the safety tech. For example, our block in downtown Philly is teeming with little kids and dogs, and most people walk in the street instead of on the sidewalk, so a backup camera is extremely useful for leaving our garage. I don't even have one of those, let alone pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, both of which could also be very helpful.

So I want to get something when new car prices stabilize at a more reasonable level, hopefully early next year.

I think the new safety tech is great, too. Luckily, I live on a quiet cul-de-sac in a relatively sedate neighborhood. Not a lot of kids playing in the streets; just a few walkers and cyclists.

 

[turf3]

I'd love to know what goes thru an engineer's mind when they design some of this stuff. There's cars I get in that basic controls are laid out logically and easy to understand, and others where you need an engineering degree to figure out something simple like starting the car or rolling down the window.

I've always subscribed to the KISS theory..... Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Generally what's going through the engineers' minds is "Damn marketeers, don't they realize this crap's going to be buggy and we're going to be chasing warranty rates for years?"

 

[Razman]

My friend's Tesla got an update and somehow got set to "Mad Max" autodrive mode - it was coming within 12 inches of people as the car weaved in and out of traffic! My friend pulled over and fixed it but not without upsetting quite a few other drivers.

What I envision some day is someone taking their older-tech car and leveraging all the safety features of other cars by cutting them off and causing them to brake, and therefore creating room for lane changes, etc. Their drivers will have no choice but to let them in due to auto-braking, crash avoidance, etc. Makes me wonder how a gaggle of automated vehicles would handle adverse driving conditions like that.

 

[definenredefine]

I feel similarly about our 20010 Acura TSX, which we bought 13 years ago this month. It's been incredibly reliable, and is still a blast to drive with great handling, the high-revving VTEC motor, and a sweet six-speed manual. If it weren't for its lack of modern safety tech, I'd keep it for a few more years, at which point BEVs will have better range, and charging will be more accessible throughout the country.

But I really want the safety tech. For example, our block in downtown Philly is teeming with little kids and dogs, and most people walk in the street instead of on the sidewalk, so a backup camera is extremely useful for leaving our garage. I don't even have one of those, let alone pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, both of which could also be very helpful.

So I want to get something when new car prices stabilize at a more reasonable level, hopefully early next year.

TSX with a 6-speed. Nice!

 

[Michael Jewels]

Happy Halloween, all.

I saw this in front of an auto repair place that's beginning to get into car restoration too.

What do you think this is?

Is it a modded Rambler?

Mike

 

[Michael Jewels]