Review - Polestar 2

While the Tesla Model 3 has enjoyed a significant head start over the Polestar 2, the newcomer is wasting no time in catching up with its closest competitor with a range that matches the Model 3 in almost all key areas. 

Just how good is the latest Polestar 2, then, and how does it compare to its rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and the Tesla Model 3? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $63,900

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Polestar 2 (STD RANGE SINGLE MOTOR 69kwH) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Polestar 2 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Polestar 2 range kicks off from $63,900 for the base model Polestar 2 Standard Range with a single motor, while the Polestar 2 Long Range with a single motor is priced at $68,400. 

Opting for the most powerful Polestar 2 Long Range with a dual-motor configuration brings the price up to $73,400. 

Polestar offers a number of packages for the Polestar 2 range, including the $3,400 Pilot Lite Pack, the $6,000 Plus Pack and the $8,000 Performance Pack. 

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What Features Does the Polestar 2 Have?

The Polestar 2 range comes riding on a set of 19-inch alloys, and receives cruise control, LED headlights, a powered boot lift, keyless entry & start, heated front seats, a reversing camera with front and rear-mounted parking sensors, ambient lighting, two charging cables and an 11.2-inch infotainment system with Android Auto support, with Apple CarPlay being added later in the year. 

Polestar’s Pilot Lite Pack adds an adaptive cruise control system, surround-view camera, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring and a Pilot Assist feature. 

The Plus Pack adds an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system, a choice of vegan or Nappa leather upholstery, heat pump, heated steering wheel and rear seats, as well as a panoramic sunroof and wireless smartphone charger. 

Finally, Polestar’s Performance Pack adds a set of 20-inch forged alloys, Brembo brake package and adjustable Ohlins dampers. 

Range Features:

• 19-inch alloys

•  LED headlights 

• Cruise control 

• Powered boot lift 

• Keyless entry & start 

• Heated seats 

• Reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors 

• Two charging cables 

• 11.2-inch infotainment system with Android Auto 

• Adaptive cruise control (Pilot Lite Pack) 

• Surround view camera Pilot Assist (Pilot Lite Pack) 

• Vegan or Nappa leather upholstery (Plus Pack) 

• Heated steering wheel (Plus Pack) 

• Panoramic sunroof (Plus Pack) 

• 20-inch forged alloys (Performance Pack) 

• Brembo brake package (Performance Pack) 

• Adjustable Ohlins dampers (Performance Pack) 

Polestar 2 Colours

The Polestar 2 range is available in a range of colours, including Snow White, Thunder Grey, Jupiter, Space Black and Midnight Blue. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

The Polestar 2 range offers drivers a sublime blend of driving refinement, silent driving dynamics, and a range of impressively sporty characteristics in the powerful dual-motor variant.

Power for the base model comes in the form of a single electric motor mounted over the front axle that kicks up 170kW of power and 330Nm of torque, with power supplied by a 69kWh battery pack. 

Opting for the Long Range single motor means power outputs remain unchanged at 170kW/330Nm, with power supplied by a larger 78kWh battery pack, while the range-topping dual-motor Polestar 2 produces 300kW of power and 660Nm. 

In the base model, acceleration is silky-smooth, linear and impressively rapid for a daily driver and wastes no time in getting you up to speed without a second thought. Upgrading to the daul-motor variant gives the Polestar 2 some incredible acceleration characteristics and makes for an undeniably exciting drive. 

Around town, the Polestar 2 is a fabulous daily driver and commuter, offering some sharp handling yet user-friendly weighting for the steering that makes low-speed maneuvers and parking a simple task, while offering feedback as you pick up speed. 

The suspension package is more suited to smooth city streets than country B-roads, and is prone to transmitting some of the larger bumps on the road into the cabin, however, as a complete package the Polestar 2 is impressively smooth and comfortable on the majority of roads.

The Polestar 2 is an incredibly smooth and comfortable mid-sized sedan that offers an attractive slice of what driving in the future will look and feel like, and very much matches the driving dynamics of its peers like the Model 3, EV6, and Inoiq 5.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Stepping inside the Polestar 2, it takes just a moment to realise that simplicity has been a priority for the company’s designers, with the cabin offering a sleek and stylish cockpit with a heap of space for passengers. 

Up front, the driver and front passenger are treated to a minimalist cabin that offers a more substantive feel than something like the Model 3, with a heap of visibility through the windscreen and a great, adjustable driving position.

There’s absolutely no complaints in terms of head, leg or shoulder room in the front of the Polestar 2’s cabin. 

The vertically-mounted infotainment screen dominates the centre of the dash, sitting atop a small storage area behind the gear lever for smartphones and loose items. 

Other practical elements include some clever storage areas on either side of what would normally be the transmission tunnel, a sliding armrest that offers access to a cupholder and storage area, and a pair of sizable door bins. 

Move to the rear of the cabin and you’ll find that the Polestar 2 offers slightly more legroom in the second row than you’ll find in the Tesla Model 3, although headroom can be limited for extremely tall rear passengers. 

Overall, though, there’s a heap of space for a growing family, which is complemented by a pair of ISOFIX anchors on either side of the second row, as well as top tether mounts for an array of child seats. 

Finally, the Polestar 2’s boot is rated at 405L, which is slightly less than you’ll find in the Tesla Model 3’s 425L boot, although there is an additional 35L of storage in the front boot.

Is it Safe?

The Polestar 2 has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating, scoring 92% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child protection, 80% for vulnerable road user protection and 82% for its safety assist features. 

As standard, the Polestar 2 range comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking, oncoming lane mitigation, run-off road mitigation, lane-keep assistance, traffic sign recognition, a reversing camera with parking sensors, driver attention monitoring and eight airbags. 

Unfortunately, key features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera are reserved for the $3,400 Pilot Lite package. 

How Far Can the Polestar 2 Drive on a Single Charge?

The Polestar 2’s energy consumption figures are rated at 17kWh/100km for single motor variants, while the dual-motor variant is rated at 19.4kWh/100km on the WLTP cycle. 

This translates to range figures of 474km for the entry-level Standard Range Polestar 2 with a single motor, increasing to 540km for the Long Range single motor. 

The range-topping Polestar 2 Long Range dual-motor has a range figure standing at 480km. 

How Long Does it Take to Charge the Polestar 2?

The Polestar 2 range comes packaged with two charging cables, with the standard range variant receiving DC fast-charging up to 130kW and the Long Range variants receiving 155kW DC fast-charging. 

With the help of a DC fast-charger, you can bring the Polestar 2’s battery from 10-80 per cent in around 40-minutes, while a 7kW charger at home takes around 11-hours to charge the battery pack. Using a 3.6kWh AC plug in your home will take around 21-hours to charge the Polestar 2.

Our Verdict: Is the Polestar 2 Worth it?

In spite of the significant head-start that its main competitor has enjoyed, the Polestar 2 is an impressive battery electric vehicle in the midsize sedan segment that feels both familiar and futuristic. 

The Polestar 2 offers a silky-smooth driving dynamic that benefits from useable all-electric driving ranges that are now offering Australian buyers an attractive transition point into EV motoring. 

If you’re looking for a comfortable commuter, stick with the single motor variants that offer the best energy efficiency figures, or if you’re looking for an all-electric sports car, take a closer look at the dual-motor variant.

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty 

2. The battery receives an eight-year/160,000km warranty 

3. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

4. Three electric motor & battery options are available 

5. Range figures between 474-540km per charge 

Pros

• Smooth, sophisticated ride quality 

• Stylish and practical interior design 

• Impressive acceleration; outstanding in dual-motor variant

Cons

• Key safety features reserved for optional safety package 

• Smaller boot capacity than rivals 

• Expensive packages

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Polestar 2 Competition