Have you been searching for your next car and come across intriguing new contenders like the Polestar 2? This Swedish-Chinese electric performance sedan caught your attention with its sleek looks and electrified power.
But as an EV newcomer from a lesser known brand, you likely still have lots questions. How quick is it really? Can it handle curves? What‘s the interior vibe? How does it compare to segment leaders like Tesla?
Well after test driving the 450 horsepower Polestar 2 Performance model, I can provide some detailed firsthand impressions. Keep reading this 2000+ word guide as I break down Polestar‘s origins, the 2‘s driving dynamics, tech details, and most importantly – what you can expect living with this vehicle everyday.
Overview: A Quick Crash-Course on Polestar‘s Electric Vision
Let‘s start with some backstory so you understand Polestar‘s DNA…
Polestar‘s Racing Roots
While a new EV brand to most people, Polestar has over 20+ years of racing heritage and tuning Volvos for performance. They campaigned Volvo sedans in various European touring car and endurance championships over the years. So they know speed, suspension and pushing boundaries.
Becoming an EV Brand
In 2015 Polestar was bought by Volvo to serve as their in-house electric performance division. They released a beautiful plug-in hybrid GT coupe halo car (Polestar 1) in low volumes. But the all-electric Polestar 2 you see today is their first mass market EV contender aiming at the increasingly crowded luxury EV space.
High Tech Meets Natural Beauty
Just from photos you‘ll notice Polestar‘s design language blending futuristic surfaces with natural, sustainable materials like flax-based composites. They pull off Scandinavian minimalism with an edge.
Benchmarking the Segment Leader
The Polestar 2 has firmly set its sights on the runaway success that is the Tesla Model 3. Similar size and price point – but touting more established brand heritage via parent company Volvo.
Now that you‘ve got the basic backstory, let‘s jump into what it‘s like experiencing this EV newcomer firsthand. Buckle up!
Driving Dynamics – Precision Performance Electrification
Let loose on some winding backroads is where the Polestar 2 Performance Edition really shines…
The moment I press down the accelerator, all 408 electric horses spring to life hurtling me forward with urgency. This thing is no slouch with 60mph arriving in just 4.5 seconds.
Dropping down to second gear, I lean into the next curve. The lowered, track-tuned Öhlins dampers keep Roll firmly in check while delivering an agile, spirited ride. Light steering loads up naturally through the bends encouraged by the rear-biased AWD torque split.
At one particularly tricky uphill-downhill combo, those massive Brembo brakes prove their stopping power shedding speed with no drama before tightening my line.
This is clearly still a Volvo at its core – but absolutely amplified for engaged driving. At times I honestly forgot I was piloting over 2 tons of battery cells rather than a pure performance coupe. Credit to the Polestar‘s engineers delivering such an involving ride.
Cruising on highway stretches, the Polestar 2 impresses with its stability and peacefulness. Tesla‘s reputation for disrupting noise insulation doesn‘t seem to apply here after Volvo applied their expertise. Conversation at 75 mph happens easily without raising your voice.
All said this EV executes performance driving with the confidence and incremental improvements earned through Polestar‘s racing pedigree. They sweated the details that truly matter behind the wheel.
Design & Cabin Experience – A Masterclass in Scandinavian Style
The minimalist interior trims and color schemes ooze Scandinavian design ethos…
Wrapping into those form-fitting vegan leather seats, the first thing I notice is outstanding outward visibility with a perfectly sized steering wheel acting as my command center. Volvo nails ergonomics and that remains true here.
Brushed aluminum and matte finish wood veneers flow over the dash wrapping into the doors for one harmonious cockpit design. Subtle golden accents and seat belts add warmth against the otherwise cool-toned greys and blacks. Touches of texture from the woven textile dash and seats keep things tactile yet vegan-friendly.
Polestar rejected frivolity focusing only on quality materials laid out with Zen-like simplicity. The entirety of cabin design challenges your assumptions of what sustainable luxury interiors could one day resemble.
Of course we can‘t forget to mention that 11 inch center touchscreen. Running Google‘s Android Automotive OS, the interface walks the perfect line between familiarity and innovation. Wireless connectivity, embedded apps like Google Maps, and regular OTA updates ensure things stay cutting edge too.
Basically if an Apple store and Swedish cottage had a futuristic baby, it would feel something like the Polestar 2 inside.
Ownership Experience – Reliability Backed by Volvo Pedigree
Considering this is likely your first electric car, reliability worries may creep up. Thankfully as a Volvo-born company, Polestar infuses that safety and quality mindset into their new EVs.
Early owner surveys praise build quality conveying substance, tight panel gaps and operation you‘d expect from a premium auto manufacturer – unlike Tesla‘s inconsistencies.
Polestar‘s first year of production went smoothly without delays or parts shortages unlike Tesla‘s ongoing challenges ramping Model 3/Y production years later. Their showrooms run sales and service gracefully too.
And since Polestar lives under the Volvo range of vehicles, their dealerships possess deep understanding working on the shared components. Loaner EVs are accessible during any rare service instances.
Basically if you‘re seeking the electric future but without experimental setbacks, Polestar checks the box. Innovation and sustainability meets robust Swedish engineering for confidence-inspiring daily transportation.
Polestar 2 Performance vs. Tesla Model 3 Quick Comparison
Cross-shopping against the well-established Tesla Model 3 Long Range probably gives you the best perspective of strengths for each EV contender…
In summary – The Tesla offers more raw performance metrics – acceleration and max range. But the Polestar counters with more refinement, established quality and brand reputation for long term ownership.
So while the Model 3 wins on paper over its electric upstart rival, the Polestar 2 remains plenty quick while delivering a more curated luxury experience those wanting the latest EV technology paired with Volvo‘s safety pedigree.
And aesthetically, the Polestar breaks away from the crowds with a truly unique Scandinavian style challenging traditional automotive design. Beauty lies in the details they say!
The Verdict – An Electric Alternative Worth Strong Consideration
After analyzing Polestar on paper then putting its Polestar 2 Performance model to the test, this exhilarating EV siezes my highest recommendation. The total package addsup to a daily driver I could happily live with long term thanks to smart practicality with a personality all its own.
If you desire avantgarde looks turning heads daily yet seek confidence-inspiring build quality & brand reputation to match, the Polestar 2 deserves serious consideration.
Yes there may be cheaper or faster EVs on the market, but very few encapsulate such a compelling blend of sustainability, innovation, safety and true driver engagement like this Swedish upstart. It feels special in a way its core luxury rivals of old are still chasing.
Hopefully this firsthand perspective gives you the insights needed to decide if the Polestar 2 Performance aligns with your needs in the growing EV space. Whatever you end up with, happy electrified travels my friend!
