The 2017 Volvo V60 Polestar AWD gets 23 MPG combined. This is somewhere between a hoped-for number and an acceptable one for the buyer who seeks this car: someone who values performance and exclusivity over saving money on gas. They want a practical wagon, but don’t want to sacrifice driving thrills. They’re willing to trade a few MPG for the Polestar’s unique blend of Swedish practicality and genuine speed.

City and highway performance

The EPA says the V60 Polestar delivers 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. To understand these figures, some context is needed. The 2.0L four-cylinder engine is both turbocharged and supercharged, a potent combination that provides immediate response and a broad powerband. That technology impacts fuel consumption, especially in stop-and-go city driving, which explains the 20 MPG figure, while the 27 MPG highway rating is more respectable. It’s achievable when cruising and taking advantage of the eight-speed automatic transmission’s ability to settle into a fuel-sipping gear.

However, even on the highway, the temptation to tap into the Polestar’s power will invariably lead to a drop in fuel economy.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2017 Volvo V60 Polestar at $2,500. This figure is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the national average fuel price for premium unleaded gasoline. It’s a significant cost, reflecting the Polestar’s preference for premium fuel and its fuel economy. Potential owners should factor in this substantial expense before purchasing; fueling a high-performance wagon like the Polestar costs more than just the initial purchase price. This number reflects the higher cost of performance.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA estimates provide a baseline, real-world fuel economy for the V60 Polestar will vary depending on driving habits and conditions. Aggressive driving, frequent acceleration, and heavy traffic will lower fuel economy below the EPA estimates. By contrast, gentle acceleration, consistent highway speeds, and optimal weather conditions may allow drivers to approach or even slightly exceed the EPA numbers. Ultimately, the V60 Polestar’s fuel economy is heavily influenced by the driver’s right foot.

Those who embrace the car’s performance capabilities will likely see numbers closer to the city estimate, while those who prioritize efficient driving can expect figures closer to the highway rating.

How it compares

The V60 Polestar competes against other performance-oriented vehicles. Consider the Audi S4 Avant (though a direct competitor did not exist in 2017). It offers more modern technology, and although it’s difficult to get an exact comparison without a wagon variant in the S4 line, the sedan version typically achieves around 24 MPG combined, slightly better than the Polestar. A BMW 340i xDrive wagon of the same era manages around 25 MPG combined. These incremental differences are unlikely to sway a buyer already drawn to the Polestar’s distinctive design and performance character. For those considering all Volvo fuel economy data, the V60 Polestar stands out as a performance outlier within a brand increasingly focused on less gas.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Because the Polestar has both a supercharger AND a turbocharger, it’s important to accelerate smoothly. Avoid sudden bursts of throttle, which force both systems to engage simultaneously, using a lot of fuel. Instead, aim for gradual increases in speed.

Frequently use cruise control, especially on the highway. Maintaining a steady speed minimizes unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, which hurt fuel economy. Use cruise control whenever possible to optimize fuel consumption on long drives. Also, remember that AWD systems always sap a little bit of power, so consider this trade-off.

Ensure your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Check your tire pressure regularly and maintain the recommended pressure specified on the driver’s side doorjamb.

Reduce unnecessary weight in the vehicle. Extra cargo adds to the vehicle’s overall weight, which impacts fuel economy. Remove any items you don’t need from the trunk or cargo area to minimize the load on the engine. See the V60 MPG across all years to see how the weight of different trim levels impacts efficiency.