2023 Polestar 2
Overview
The Polestar 2 is an electric vehicle that combines the styling of a sedan, the practicality of a hatchback, and the raised seating height of a crossover. As part of Volvo’s EV subsidiary, Polestar, this model comes only with a large battery pack and an electric motor powering the front wheels—or two electric motors if you opt for the more powerful all-wheel-drive setup. Either way, it’s a pleasant car to drive, and its minimalist interior is spacious and appealing. The single-motor version offers up to 270 miles of range according to the EPA, while the dual-motor version is rated to deliver 249 miles of range.
What’s New for 2023?
Polestar has expanded the color palette with two newly available exterior hues and a new interior color scheme. The 19- and 20-inch wheel options also feature new designs.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Single Motor
$47,500 (est)
$51,500 (est)
We would choose the more powerful dual-motor model for its snappier acceleration performance, even though the single-motor car offers better range. You can also equip the AWD car with a Performance package that includes larger wheels and tires and manually adjustable dampers.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
Unlike the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variants of the Polestar 2, versions equipped only with the 231-hp single motor are front-wheel drive. This variant delivered an unexceptional 6.8-second 60-mph time in our testing. The more powerful dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup, which features an electric motor on both axles and generates a total system output of 408 horsepower, zipped to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Our dual-motor test vehicle was equipped with the Performance package, which includes 20-inch wheels and summer tires, stiffer suspension components as well as adjustable Öhlins dampers, and upgraded Brembo front brakes. This combination contributed to the 2’s 0.90 g of cornering grip and 157-foot stopping distance from 70 mph in our tests. Polestar also provides three levels of regenerative braking, with the strongest capable of bringing the car to a complete stop without you touching the brake. While the aforementioned kit caters to the enthusiast crowd, we’re convinced the 2 rides better on the base suspension.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
Like the Volvo XC40 crossover, the 2 rides on the Swedish brand’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), though the electrified version of the platform accommodates a 75.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack under the floor. The electrical system supports fast-charging up to 150 kilowatts, and Polestar claims this method will recharge a dead battery to 80 percent in 40 minutes. The single-motor model has an estimated range of 270 miles, and the dual-motor is rated at 249 miles of range on a single charge.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The 2023 Polestar 2 with the single motor is rated at a combined 107 MPGe, and it has an estimated range of 270 miles. The dual-motor version is rated at a combined 89 MPGe, and it has an estimated range of 249 miles. On our 75-mph real-world highway route, our example traveled 190 miles on a full charge, which aligns with the Audi e-tron luxury SUV, but trails the Tesla Model 3 Long Range sedan, which managed 230 miles. For more information about the Polestar 2’s efficiency and range, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 2’s interior brings together wood, fabric, and plastic in a simple yet artful way. It looks modern, with clean lines, a spartan color palette, and minimal switchgear. The 2 borrows a couple things from its Volvo brethren, like the steering-wheel buttons and knurled start knob, but the overall design reads less busy here. In keeping with the electrified powertrain, Polestar swaths the interior in eco-friendly vegan fabric (though, you can get leather if you really want it). The power-operated liftgate opens to a not-so-cavernous cargo hold boasting 14 cubic feet of space. Need more? There’s another cubic foot of storage in the frunk.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
Inside, the driver faces a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a centrally located iPad-esque portrait-oriented touchscreen. The latter measures 11.2 inches and handles most functions, running Google’s Android Automotive OS infotainment system. It’s not all that different from other modern interfaces: Picture a box subdivided into four squares, each devoted to a different category of apps, be it navigation, phone, or audio. By grouping similar apps into a specific corner of the screen, Polestar believes users will have an easier time finding what they need, thus minimizing distraction. But what’s really great about this whole thing is that it makes Google Maps the integrated nav system and provides useful EV-specific information to the driver, such as where the nearby charging stations are and how long you’ll have to sit there once you arrive. Other things worth noting: You’ll find two USB ports in the front and two in the rear, satellite radio comes standard, and Harman/Kardon provides the sound.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Polestar 2 comes loaded with several driver-assistance and safety features, which should provide added peace of mind. For more information about the Polestar 2’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection Standard adaptive cruise control Standard blind-spot monitoring
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Polestar’s limited warranty sticks to the industry standard, on par with that from Tesla. The company also provides competitive coverage for the 2’s electrical components. Surprisingly, Polestar doesn’t offer the same three-year complimentary maintenance program as Volvo, its parent company.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Electrical components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2022 Polestar 2 Single Motor
VEHICLE TYPE
front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $47,200/$52,400
Options: Plus package (sunroof with projected Polestar symbol, heat pump, heated rear seats, Harman/Kardon premium sound system, heated steering wheel, power seats, wireless phone charging), $4000; Thunder grey paint, $1200
POWERTRAIN
Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 231 hp, 243 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 75.0 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Transmission: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.6-in vented disc/13.4-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy 4
245/45R-19 102V POL
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.7 in
Length: 181.3 in
Width: 73.2 in
Height: 58.2 in
Passenger Volume: 96 ft3
Cargo Volume: 16 ft3
Curb Weight: 4460 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.3 sec @ 93 mph
100 mph: 18.6 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.9 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 101 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 161 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.88 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 75 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving: 89 MPGe
Highway Range: 220 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 107/113/100 MPGe
Range: 270 mi
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2021 Polestar 2 Dual Motor
VEHICLE TYPE
front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$67,400 (base price: $61,200)
POWERTRAIN
2 permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors, 204 hp (each), 243 lb-ft (each); 75.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; combined output, 408 hp, 487 lb-ft
TRANSMISSIONS
direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 14.8-in vented, cross-drilled disc/13.4-in vented, cross-drilled disc
Tires: Continental SportContact 6, 245/40R-20 99V POL
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.7 in
Length: 181.3 in
Width: 73.2 in
Height: 58.0 in
Cargo volume: 16 ft3
Passenger volume: 96 ft3
Curb weight: 4714 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.1 sec
100 mph: 10.5 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.3 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 1.6 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.2 sec
1/4 mile: 12.7 sec @ 109 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 125 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 323 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.90 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 67 MPGe
75-mph highway driving: 79 MPGe
Highway range: 190 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D est)
Combined/city/highway: 130/135/125 MPGe
Range: 230 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs
