Polestar 2 review

Quick verdict

The Polestar 2 continues to deliver quality, style, great onboard tech, and reassuring levels of safety kit. The updated model gets more power and an official range of over 400 miles that few electric cars can even come close to matching – including some that cost twice as much.

For those seeking something different from a Tesla Model 3 in the compact, premium EV space, the Polestar 2 has most bases covered, and it’s competitively priced, too. Its main downside is that the ride is too firm for most UK roads, and it doesn’t drive as sharply as the BMW i4 to make that a worthwhile compromise.

Polestar 2: price, specs and rivals

It wasn’t that long ago that Polestar held the banner for Volvo’s motorsport activity (mainly in Swedish touring cars) before becoming the performance sub-brand for the Swedish marque’s quicker models. Now, under joint ownership of Volvo and Chinese giant Geely, Polestar has become a maker of premium electric cars and has a range of highly anticipated electric cars in the works, including the flagship Polestar 5 GT car and the Polestar 6 two-seat roadster.

But Polestar’s first foray into full vehicle production was in 2017 with the aptly named Polestar 1 – a low-volume, plug-in hybrid coupe. The fastback-styled Polestar 2 was the follow-up, an altogether more accessible car that the fledgling brand hoped would steal sales away from Tesla by offering a more stylish alternative to the hugely popular Tesla Model 3 saloon. Since the Polestar 2 launched in 2020, more players have entered the game, namely the excellent-to-drive BMW i4 and retro-futuristic Hyundai Ioniq 6, while the Volkswagen ID.7 offers long-range comfort and lots of practicality.

The Polestar 2 sits on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, which the Volvo XC40 SUV and Volvo C40 coupe-SUV also use. It has a saloon-like body but is actually a five-door hatchback with a slightly elevated ride height. This gives it a unique shape that’s not quite a crossover but still offers decent family practicality.

The Polestar 2 received a raft of updates in early 2023, including the addition of the ‘SmartZone’ grille panel that was first seen on the Polestar 3 large SUV, and includes various sensors, radar, cameras, and laser scanners for the autonomous safety systems. Other changes include switching the Single-Motoror versions from front to rear-wheel drive, making the electric motors more powerful and efficient, plus fitting larger batteries to Long-Range models.

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There are three versions of the Polestar 2 to choose from, starting with the entry-level Standard Range Single Motor. This model is priced at just under £45,000, features a 69kWh battery and is good for a range of up to 339 miles. Long Range Single Motor cars get slightly more power, a bigger 82kWh battery and a maximum range of 406 miles – pretty impressive considering it costs less than £50,000. Long Range Dual Motor versions add an extra motor on the front axle for all-wheel drive, which bumps the power output to 416bhp and 740Nm of torque, but cuts the range to 368 miles.

There are no trim levels for the Polestar 2, just three additional packs that build on the already generous standard equipment list. That list includes an 11.2-inch touchscreen running Google-powered infotainment software, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, Apple CarPlay, a wireless charging pad, over-the-air (OTA) update capability, a 360-degree parking camera, and an extensive suite of safety systems.

The Pilot pack includes extra autonomous safety kit and Pixel LED headlights. The Plus pack includes a heat pump, Harman Kardon audio system, heated steering wheel, and fixed panoramic sunroof. You can also upgrade from the standard vegan-friendly upholstery to Zinc Nappa leather.

Only Dual Motor cars can be ordered with the Performance Pack, which boosts power to 469bhp and adds Brembo brakes, adjustable Ohlins dampers and 20-inch forged alloy wheels. You also get gold-coloured seat belts to match the brake calipers.

Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor long-term test

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Our current affairs and features editor, Chris Rosamond, spent several months with the Polestar 2 in Long Range Single Motor form as part of our long-term test fleet. During his time with this executive EV, Chris found the Polestar 2 to be a pleasurable car to drive and he felt that the car’s overall quality was of a very high standard. However, things did feel a bit cramped in the back when it came to taking on family car duties. Once everyone and everything was crammed in, though, the real-world battery range was impressive. You can read the full long term test here...