Polestar 2: A Luxury Electric Sedan for a Gas-Free World
The Polestar 2 electric vehicle may resemble the sophisticated Volvo S60 luxury sedan, but it is built for a gas-free world. As a product of Volvo’s EV subsidiary, Polestar, it combines range and horsepower even at its base trim level, ensuring a perfect balance of performance and sustainability.
Polestar 2: Impressive Range and Performance
The base rear-wheel-drive Polestar 2 boasts 295 horsepower and a claimed range of 320 miles. The all-wheel-drive variants offer even more power, with the standard model delivering 416 horsepower and the Performance Pack model reaching 449 horsepower. Both all-wheel-drive models offer a range of 276 miles, making the Polestar 2 a strong competitor in the electric car market.
Polestar 2: A Step Above the Tesla Model 3
Although the Polestar 2 starts at a higher price point than the Tesla Model 3, it makes up for it with more range and a traditional cockpit design. The interior features a classic instrument cluster and software backed by Google’s Android, which is a major advantage over Tesla’s minimalist design.
Growing Competition in the EV Market
Despite continuous improvements in range, features, and horsepower, the Polestar 2 still faces stiff competition from other electric vehicles such as the BMW i4 and Hyundai Ioniq 6. Nevertheless, it remains a top choice in the EV segment and has earned the 2024 Editors’ Choice award for its outstanding performance.
What’s New for 2024?
The Polestar 2 gets even better for 2024 with a larger battery and updated hardware, resulting in increased range and power. The single-motor model is now rear-wheel drive and offers 320 miles of range—an increase of 30 miles from previous models. The dual-motor versions now offer 276 miles of range, up 16 miles from last year. Horsepower has also increased, with the single-motor model delivering 295 horsepower (up from 231) and the dual-motor version providing 416 horsepower (up from 408).
Updated Features
For 2024, Polestar has also improved the torque ratio, prioritizing the rear motor. The Performance Pack comes with updated 20-inch forged wheels, and there is now an option for Michelin all-season tires for the 19-inch wheels. Additionally, the larger battery supports faster DC charging speeds of up to 205 kW.
Pricing and Trim Options for the Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 offers various pricing options depending on the trim and features selected:
- Long Range RWD: $51,300
- Long Range AWD: $56,700
- Long Range with Performance Pack: $64,400
For most buyers, the rear-drive single-motor model provides sufficient range and power, with its 295 horsepower delivering a quick and responsive driving experience. While the Performance Pack offers thrilling acceleration, it comes at the cost of reduced range, making the standard model a more practical choice for everyday driving.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The Polestar 2 starts with a single motor producing 295 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque, sending power to the rear wheels. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive models ramp up to 416 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the Performance Pack offers 449 horsepower for maximum acceleration.
Performance on the Track
In testing, the single-motor Polestar 2 Plus reached 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, while the dual-motor Performance model managed the same sprint in an impressive 3.7 seconds. The Performance model also features 20-inch wheels, summer tires, adjustable Öhlins dampers, and upgraded Brembo front brakes for superior handling.
Regenerative Braking and Ride Comfort
The Polestar 2 offers three levels of regenerative braking, with the strongest setting allowing the car to come to a full stop without using the brake pedal. While the Performance Pack enhances the driving experience for enthusiasts, the base suspension provides a smoother ride, making it the more comfortable option for most drivers.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life of the Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 is built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), the same platform used for the gas-powered Volvo XC40. This architecture is adapted for electric vehicles, featuring a 75.0-kWh lithium-ion battery in all-wheel-drive models and a larger 79.0-kWh battery for rear-wheel-drive single-motor versions. The larger battery supports 205 kW fast charging, reaching 80% in 40 minutes. The single-motor model offers an estimated range of 320 miles on 19-inch wheels, dropping to 307 miles with 20-inch wheels. Dual-motor Polestar 2: 276 miles (19-inch wheels), 266 miles (20-inch wheels), 247 miles (Performance model).
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The Polestar 2 delivers varying EPA-estimated MPGe ratings depending on its configuration. The single-motor version achieves 115 MPGe combined, with 124 MPGe in the city and 106 MPGe on the highway. The dual-motor model rates at 106 MPGe combined, 112 MPGe city, and 100 MPGe highway. For those seeking more detailed efficiency and range information, visiting the EPA’s website is recommended.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Space
Inside the Polestar 2, the cabin is modern and minimalist, combining wood, fabric, and plastic in an eco-friendly design. The clean lines and simple color palette give it a refined look, while the materials used align with the vehicle’s electric nature, including vegan-friendly fabrics, though leather is available upon request. The cargo area offers 14 cubic feet of space in the back and an additional cubic foot in the front trunk (frunk), making it functional yet compact.
Infotainment and Connectivity Features
The Polestar 2 offers a tech-forward interior with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.2-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. This touchscreen uses Google’s Android Automotive OS, organizing navigation, phone, and audio apps into four sections for easy access. The system integrates Google Maps for EV-specific features like charging station locations and estimated charging times. Additional features include two USB ports in the front and rear, satellite radio as standard, and a Harman/Kardon sound system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Polestar 2 is equipped with a suite of standard driver-assistance and safety features. These include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. For safety ratings, visit the NHTSA and IIHS websites.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Polestar 2 offers warranty coverage that aligns with industry standards. It offers a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and 8-year/100,000-mile coverage for electrical components. Unlike its parent company Volvo, Polestar does not offer complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Electrical component warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance: Not included
2024 Polestar 2 Specifications
The 2024 Polestar 2 Plus comes equipped with a rear-wheel-drive, rear-motor powertrain delivering 295 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque. Its 79.0-kWh liquid-cooled battery pack supports a peak DC fast-charging rate of 205 kW. Notable options include the Pilot Package and Midnight Metallic paint.
- Price: Base $53,500 / As Tested $56,750
- Battery Pack: 79.0 kWh
- Top Speed: 130 mph (governor-limited)
- EPA Range: 320 miles (combined)
Performance Metrics
The Polestar 2 delivers impressive performance results, reaching 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and covering a quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph, and braking from 70 mph to 0 takes 166 feet.
- 60 mph: 5.5 sec
- Top Speed: 130 mph
- Braking, 70-0 mph: 166 ft
- Observed Fuel Economy: 89 MPGe
