The all-new Polestar 2 is an electric vehicle that beautifully combines the styling of a sleek sedan, the practicality and cargo space of a five-door hatchback, and the increased seating height of a modern crossover. This makes it the perfect car for those who want style, comfort, and utility all in one package. Whether you’re cruising down city streets or taking on rugged off-road terrain, the Polestar 2 is up for anything. The Polestar 2 is Volvo’s electric vehicle parent company. You can choose between the two electric motors that power the front-wheel drive setup or the more powerful one that powers the all-wheel-drive setup. The car is a pleasant one to drive regardless of which way you go about it. Additionally, the interior of the car is minimalistic, yet still spacious and appealing to the eye. The long range dual motor version offers 260 miles of range according to the EPA, while the single-motor version offers up to 270 miles of range.
By 2023, the estimated driving range for the dual-motor Polestar 2 will be 11 miles greater than in previous years. With this extra range, drivers will be able to go further on a single charge, making it a great option for those who want to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.
In addition to expanding the color palette, Polestar has also introduced new exterior and interior hues, as well as new 19- and 20-inch wheel designs. A more performance-focused BST Edition 270 model will be offered in very limited numbers—270 in total, to be exact, with only 47 of them headed for the U.S. market. This racier model features upgraded suspension and brakes and a power bump from 275 to 310 horsepower. The BST Edition 270 features dual electric motors that have been tuned to produce an extra 15 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the suspension has been lowered and features adjustable Öhlins dampers. This provides a more customized and comfortable ride for the driver and passengers. The 21-inch wheels are wrapped with a specially-designed tire to provide the best possible grip and handling. The Pirelli P Zero tires are designed to offer maximum traction and stability, making them the perfect choice for those who want the best performance and ride quality from their vehicle.
We would choose the dual-motor model for its more powerful acceleration, over the long range single motor. The dual-motor car’s snappier performance is more appealing to us, even though we would have to sacrifice some range. If you’re looking to really get the most out of your AWD car, you can equip it with a Performance package. This package includes larger wheels and tires as well as manually adjustable dampers. With this package, you’ll be able to take your car to the next level and maximize its performance potential.
Motor, Power, and Performance
The Polestar 2 comes in both dual-motor, all-wheel-drive and single motor, front-wheel-drive variants. The single motor Polestar is less powerful, with only 231 horsepower, but it is comes in at a lower price than the dual-motor variant. The single-motor variant of the car delivered an unspectacular and average 6.8-second 60-mph time during our testing. The more powerful dual-motor model, all-wheel-drive setup features an electric motor on both axles for better handling. This generates a total system output of 408 horsepower, which allows it to zip to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The dual-motor test vehicle that we were lucky enough to be equipped with came complete with the Performance package. This included some really great features such as 20-inch wheels and summer tires, plus stiffer suspension components and adjustable Öhlins shocks. Not to mention the top-of-the-line Brembo brakes. This combination made up the 2’s 0. In our test drive we got 90 g of grip and a stopping distance of 157 feet. Three levels of regenerative braking are available with Polestar, with the strongest capable of bringing the car to a complete stop without you touching the brake. We believe that the 2 rides better on the base suspension than the aforementioned kit does. The kit caters to the enthusiast crowd, but we think that the average person would prefer the 2’s smoother ride.
Battery Life, Charging, and Range
The 2 vehicles are built on the same platform as the Volvo XC40 and have a 75.0-kWh lithium-ion battery. The battery pack is under the floor. Polestar says that it’s possible to charge a dead battery to 80% in 40 minutes by fast charging up to 150 kilowatts. The dual-motor model is rated at 260 miles of range on a single charge and the single-motor model has an estimated range of 270 miles on a full charge.
Fuel Economy and MPGe
The Polestar 2 has a combined efficiency rating of around 107 MPGe and an estimated range of around 270 miles. The dual-motor version has a combined 89 MPGe and a range of 260 miles. Polestar 2’s efficiency and range align with the Audi e-tron luxury SUV, but trail the Tesla Model 3 Long Range sedan.
Interior, and Cargo
The interior design of the 2 is a beautiful blend of wood, fabric, and plastic. It has a modern look with clean lines, a spartan color scheme, and minimal switchgear. The steering wheel buttons and start knob of the 2 are a few things that were borrowed from Volvo, but the overall design is not as busy as it could be. Polestar’s interior is made of vegan fabric and can be bought with leather if you are really into it. The liftgate is powered and open to a large cargo hold which has 14 cubic feet of space. In addition, there is another cubic foot of storage in the frunk. This extra space is great for storing smaller items that you may need while on the road.
Connectivity and Infotainment
Inside the vehicle, the driver is greeted by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as a centrally located iPad-Esque touchscreen center console. This portrait-oriented touchscreen provides access the car’s intuitive infotainment system and navigation functions. The interface is similar to the other modern ones: Divide a box into four squares and use them for different categories of apps, be it phone, navigation, or audio. Polestar has designed its app screens to group similar apps into specific corners, in order to make it easier for users to find what they need and minimize distraction. By keeping apps that are used together in the same area. Polestar also aims to streamline the experience and make it simpler for users to get what they want from their phones. The best part about this is that it integrates Google Maps as the navigation system, and provides the driver with useful EV-specific information. This includes things like the location of nearby charging stations and how long you’ll have to wait once you arrive. The rear and front of the car have a couple of USB ports. The car has a satellite radio, and it comes with a sound system.
Driver-Assistance Features
The Polestar 2 comes fully loaded with several driver-assistance and safety features, which should provide added peace of mind. These features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and more. With these advanced safety features, you can rest assured that your vehicle is well-equipped to handle the road ahead.
