Polestar 2 Review 2024

The Polestar 2 is a handsome all-electric model that shares much of its origins with Volvo. It goes head-to-head with the Tesla Model 3 and South Korea’s Kia EV6 in the competitive mid-range EV market, but is it worth considering? Our Polestar 2 review will reveal all.

Critics will argue that the Tesla Model 3 beats the Polestar 2 on paper. That’s because the higher spec Model 3 is faster than the Polestar 2 and is also almost a full second quicker in the 0-62mph dash.

But that doesn’t tell the whole story. While the Tesla looks better on paper, the Polestar 2 is a much more complete package in the metal, and revisions in 2023 have increased the battery’s driving range considerably.

Build quality is higher with better panel gaps and good standards of overall fit and finish. This puts the Polestar very much on even terms with the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6.

While a centre-mounted tablet seems to have become the hallmark of a ‘proper’ EV, the Polestar 2 also has a much more conventional digital dash that can display all the info you need – road speed, charge remaining in miles and even navigation directions.

And that leads us on nicely to look at the 2’s tech. The Polestar uses Android Automotive (not to be confused with Android Auto), so the car’s infotainment operating system is light years ahead of its rivals.

Using the command ‘hey Google!’, you can control and adjust various things like the air-con, heated seats and demisters. You can also use the usual spread of apps via the infotainment, including Apple CarPlay.

It’s more than enough tech to keep the kids occupied – and there’s more than enough space, too. While the sharply-styled coupe lines do mean you lose some headroom, there’s enough leg and shoulder room for two adults in the back, and more than enough for two kids.

There’s plenty of storage, too, with 405 litres of space available via the rear hatch – although there is a slight lip on the boot to be aware of. Meanwhile, the front trunk gets 35 litres, which is just about enough to carry a backpack. There’s plenty of secure fastening points as well.

This is a bonus, as once you’re in the driver’s seat it’s hard not to make the most of all that power. With as much as 476PS driving all four wheels, the Polestar 2 is more than quick enough and delivers a powerful ‘shove’ in the back when you press the throttle (although it’s not quite as hard hitting as a Tesla Model 3).

Through the bends, there’s minimal lean and the car’s composure allows you to make the most of the road conditions. The Performance Pack offers better dampers, bigger brakes and 20-inch wheels that make it feel overly firm at times.

Still, if you’re spending close to £50k on a car, it’s nice to have the option to press on, even if doing so will hammer your range.

Going from 0-80% at a fast charger takes a little more than 30 minutes, while an overnight eight-hour charge from a domestic wallbox will fully charge the battery and give you about 270 real-world miles.

However, the new single motor Long range model promises up to 406 miles, making it one of the longest-range electric cars around.

Looking for another opinion? Why not read heycar's Polestar 2 review.

Like almost all aspects of the Polestar 2, it’s clear that it’s been designed and developed by people who understand what makes a good car.

So that means all the controls are responsive and offer decent levels of feedback (well, as much as any electrically assisted steering can when pressing on). With drive going to either the rear wheels or all four, there’s good balance and plenty of grip available for safe, relaxing progress.

Luckily, driving the Polestar 2 smoothly is something that comes easily. Sure, there’s a decent shove in the back to be had if you nail it away from the lights, but the car rewards progressive inputs – rather than sawing at the wheel.

So it’s pretty accomplished on B-roads but wonderfully mild-mannered around town, making it something of a joy to live with day to day. And, unlike some other EVs, like the Nissan Leaf, it doesn’t run out of steam at motorway speeds.

One criticism surrounds rear visibility, which is heavily compromised by the tiny rear windscreen. Luckily, the 360-degree camera helps you out a lot here and makes parking much easier.

Some reviewers have complained that the Performance Pack made the ride feel crashy, but we didn’t find it too bad. Yes, it’s firm on 20-inch wheels, but it’s sure footed and around town it behaves itself. Ride quality is often subjective, so be sure you book in a test drive to see for yourself.

There are two battery choices when considering the Polestar 2. The first is a 69kWh option, which offers a WLTP combined range of 321 miles in the Standard range single motor model.

It’s no slouch, with 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds, although the range will take a tumble if you use that turn of speed too often.

The rest of the Polestar 2 line-up comes with an 82kWh battery that offers up to 406 miles of driving distance in the Long range single motor version.

Choose the Dual motor model instead and performance gets a boost, taking just 4.3 seconds to go from 0-62mph, instead of the single motor’s 5.9 seconds.

Quickest of the lot is the Dual motor model with Performance Pack. It hits hard with 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds, thanks to 476PS power. Both Dual motor Polestar 2s offer an official combined battery range of 367 miles.

In every case, the Polestar 2 has plenty of power for overtaking or nipping out of busy junctions, and it’s enjoyable to drive.

As you’d expect of a car from the same stable as Volvo, the Polestar 2 has a comprehensive suit of safety kit. Every model has eight airbags, including inner side bags to create a protective cushion around its occupants.

To ward off potential trouble, there is lane keeping assist, Pilot Assist to guide the car in the correct lane and a Driver Alert Control.

You also have the help of oncoming, run-off road and rear collision mitigation systems, as well as a rear cross traffic warning.

To make the Polestar 2 even safer, you can add the Pilot Pack as a £2000 option. It brings LED headlights with an adaptive beam to give the best illumination at all times, as well as adaptive cruise control and speed limiter.

The Polestar 2 has earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating and is especially good for occupant safety.

A semi-electric deployable tow bar is an £1100 option for the Polestar 2. It can tow up to 750kg for an unbraked trailer, and up to 1500kg with a braked trailer, so easily outdoes a Tesla Model 3’s 1000kg maximum towing capacity.

Stylish touches include the ‘Thor’s hammer’ front lights and the wrap-around brake light at the rear. The proportions – and the stubby front end – almost give it a muscle-car vibe, which is offset by clean creases and clear shutlines.

A 2023 update replaced the traditional front grille with a smooth, plain ‘SmartZone’ panel.

Open the doors and from the driver’s seat you’ll notice a couple of things. One is the frameless rear-view mirror, which matches the frameless door mirrors. This means that the whole assembly moves, rather than just the plate glass.

It’s cool, but you’ll probably only get excited by it if you also found the wrap-around screen on the Samsung Galaxy sexy. We’d be more worried about how much they cost to replace.

If you’re concerned that the Polestar 2 is more about style than substance, don’t be. Its seats are very supportive without being too firm, and there’s plenty of room for heads, legs, and shoulders.

The five-door hatch layout gives you access to a decent boot with 405 litres of space. There’s a slight boot lip, but access is great. Longer items can go through a ski hatch or you can split the 60/40 rear seats (although this doesn’t give you a flat loadbed) to create up to 1095 litres of luggage capacity.

Like the rest of the car, the load area has been well thought out with hooks and tether points aplenty. There’s even a panel that folds up, splitting the rear boot in half and making sure your shopping doesn’t slide about.

There’s some storage underneath for cables while the front trunk is backpack sized.

The quality of materials used is good overall, although if you hunt around the car’s lower area you’ll find some poorer quality plastics.

It does feel like it’s been built to last though (as also evidenced by the panel gaps), especially compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Arguably the biggest talking point of the interior is the infotainment. If you’re not much of a tech-head, this could well make you feel a bit queasy, but the key takeaway is how easy the voice commands are to use.

Polestar has sorted out the 2’s infotainment so it now works easily with Apple iPhones.

It was a blindspot with the 2 early in its life, but you can now access your chosen smartphone brand’s apps quickly through the car’s infotainment screen.

This pro-Google infotainment system was the first car to use Android Automotive. That means you can issue commands like ‘Hey Google! Set the cabin temperature to 20 degrees’. True, it’s probably quicker to do it yourself, but when you’re bored in a traffic jam, it has some appeal...

Also, Android Automotive is worthy of great praise – it’s incredibly effective, unlike systems from many rival car makers. That said, we would like to see the app icons made bigger as they’re very easy to miss when you’re jabbing your first finger at the 11.2-inch central tablet.

At least you do get a digital dashboard. This may not sound like the sort of thing you’d miss, but having to crane your neck to look at the centre of the dashboard every time you want to see your speed in a Tesla Model 3 is frustrating.

Don’t expect there to be much haggling at the dealer. In fact, you don’t even have to go to a dealer to get one, because you can buy a Polestar 2 online.

Once you’ve configured it online, you then have a two-week window to adjust the trim and spec. Happy? Place your order with a refundable deposit.

The car is then delivered to your doorstep and you’re given a full handover that’ll walk you through the tech and all the key points. If you’d like to see one in the metal, then you’ll need to head over to a Polestar dealer or arrange a test drive through the company’s website.

At the time of writing, prices start at £44,950 for the Standard range single motor version, and stretch to £57,950 for the Long range dual motor with Performance Pack.

When it comes to running costs, electric vehicles speak for themselves. In the case of the Polestar 2, a full charge at home overnight costs roughly £17, which gets you 321 miles.

Is the Polestar 2 the most efficient EV? No, but it’s also not the most boring either. Given the Standard range single motor model is as quick as most decent hot hatches, you are certainly not giving up on straight-line speed when picking this EV.

Go for the more powerful 2 versions and they are seriously rapid.

If you need to make use of a quick charge on the motorway, then you’re looking at going from 10-80% in around 30 minutes. Thinking of plugging into a three pin at home? Don’t. There are all manner of reasons why this isn’t a good idea, but the notion of a 40-hour charge should be enough for you to put that out of your head.

When it comes to insurance, the Polestar 2 resides between Groups 34 and 44 depending on which version you choose.

It’s also quite likely to hang on to its value, as low volume means it will take a while for models to filter on to the used market.

Polestar keeps it simple with the 2 and only offers the car in a single, well equipped trim level.

As a result, every 2 comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, or 20-inch items if you go for the Performance Pack. As for the rest of the exterior, the only paint colour you don’t pay extra for is the base Magnesium grey, which we’d happily live with.

Inside, Polestar doesn’t hold back and the 2 gets Nappa leather from an animal welfare-approved source, along with Vegan WeaveTech material.

The front seats have electric adjustment, and the Plus Pack brings a heated steering wheel. This pack also comes with a powered tailgate, panoramic glass roof, and Polestar’s digital key that lets you open and start the car using your smartphone.

Talking of smart screens, the Polestar provides the main vehicle info to the driver via a 12.3-inch display directly in front of the steering wheel. It’s complemented by an 11.2-inch infotainment monitor that you can hook up to your smartphone via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

For those who choose the Plus Pack, which is a pricey option at £4,000, you get a Harmon Kardon Premium Sound system. It uses 13 speakers to deliver excellent audio quality.

The Pilot Pack, meanwhile, enhances further enhances Polestar 2’s driver assistance and safety features with Adaptive Cruise Control, Pilot Assist, intelligent Pixel LED headlights and more.