As Polestar rolls out its Model 3 rival internationally across three model years now, the stylish liftback Polestar 2 sedan makes a competitive case as a high-tech Euro alternative to American EV hegemon Tesla. Assessing its strengths and weaknesses aids your purchase decision between these electric luxury vehicles.
Overview
The Polestar 2 launched in 2019 as the first fully electric vehicle from Polestar, a jointly owned subsidiary of Volvo and Chinese automaker Geely positioning itself as a premium electric performance brand. This guide will provide you an in-depth look its tech features, interior comforts, real-world range, pricing with incentives, charging speeds, safety ratings, pros and cons versus rivals, manufacturing pedigree, and the brand‘s future outlook.
While unlikely to seriously threaten the Tesla Model 3’s sales dominance, particularly in the United States where supercharger incompatibility limits adoption, the Polestar 2 deserves consideration from EV shoppers seeking a little Scandinavian driving flair. Let‘s delve into the specifics.
Trims, Prices, & Savings
Polestar sells the 2 in two core trims, simplified here with current pricing before $1,300 shipping:
| Model | Drive | Battery | Range | HP | 0-60 mph | Base MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range Single Motor | FWD | 69 kWh | 270 mi | 231 | 7 sec | $48,400 |
| Long Range Dual Motor | AWD | 78 kWh | 260 mi | 408 | 4.5 sec | $52,900 |
Combined with the $7,500 US Federal tax credit Polestar qualifies for, out the door prices for Americans could land between $40,000 to $45,000 depending on configuration. Additional state incentives like California‘s $2,000 rebate sweeten deals further for qualifying buyers.
Competitively then, the single motor Polestar 2 variant fights for the same shoppers as the RWD Tesla Model 3 and entry Audi e-tron, while the AWD model aligns better with mid-range Model 3s and Jaguar I-Pace crossovers.
Optional packages like the well-appointed $3,500 Pilot Pack push the highest trim toward $65,000 fully loaded. So while prices overlap economy brands, Polestar positioned itself firmly among luxury electric marques like Tesla‘s.
Design and Passenger Roominess
Sharing a platform with Volvo‘s XC40 crossover but engineered EV-first, the Polestar 2‘s modern Scandinavian design language trends more stately than radically swooping. Clean sheetmetal and minimalist lines aim for mass rather than niche appeal. Large doors enable easy ingress and egress.
Inside, passengers luxuriate across 3 inches more rear legroom than the Tesla Model 3 thanks to a longer wheelbase. Trunk space equals many compact hatchbacks at 14.3 cubic feet, while folding the rear seats expands cargo capacity to 38.7 cubes—perfect for bulky shopping runs. Clever engineers even carved out a front "frunk" at 1.2 cubic feet for smaller items.
Materials like open-pore wood decking and leatherette or textile upholsteries align with sustainability values. Buttons stay scarce to highlight the highly-praised 11.9-inch Android-powered touchscreen and Google services tightly integrated throughout.
Range & Charging Speeds
On paper at least, Polestar 2‘s EPA maximum range ranks mid-pack among luxury competitors:
| Model | Battery | Max Range |
|---|---|---|
| Polestar 2 Single Motor | 69 kWh | 270 miles |
| Polestar 2 Dual Motor | 78 kWh | 260 miles |
| Tesla Model 3 RWD | 62 kWh | 272 miles |
| Tesla Model 3 Perf. | 82 kWh | 358 miles |
For most commuting and trips, expect between 200 to 250 miles range depending on styles and conditions—perfectly practical but trailing class benchmarks. Software updates may yield slight gains over time.
Recharging the largest 78 kWh battery from 10% to 80% capacity takes just 35 minutes at specialized 150 kW fast charging stations—lagging Tesla‘s 250 kW Superchargers but rivaling most networks. Level 2 home units fully replenish batteries overnight after about 8 hours.
Performance, Handling, and Driving Feel
Specification sheets spotlight the Polestar 2‘s positioning as a quick, capably handling GT rather than hardcore corner carver:
| Model | Horsepower | 0-60 mph | Top Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Motor | 231 | 7 seconds | 100 mph |
| Dual Motor | 408 | 4.5 seconds | 127 mph |
MotorTrend recorded the throatier Dual Motor variant accelerating 0-60 in 3.9 seconds during testing, demonstrating conservative factory benchmarks. For comparison, Tesla‘s RWD Model 3 reaches 60 mph in 5.8 seconds normally or as quickly as 3.1 seconds when upgraded to its top Performance edition.
So while blisteringly quick in a vacuum, published figures show Polestar 2 falling slightly short of its Silicon Valley rival on raw accelerative force. Power seems ample but not exhilarating based on reviews. Handling and braking garner universal praise although wind noise intrudes at interstate speeds.
"Makes a competitive case among electric luxury cars even if it fails to claim any notable performance crowns," summarized Car & Driver after extensively sampling a Polestar 2.
Safety Tech & Driving Assistance
As Volvo‘s first EV project, Polestar 2 safety standards hew religiously towards its Swedish parent‘s obsession with occupant protection. Boron steel in the body structure absorbs enormous crash forces. Aluminum and composite materials handle lighter duties while reducing weight.
Sophisticated computing power enables accident avoidance assistance. When crashes prove unavoidable, eight airbags surround passengers in concert with pyrotechnic seatbelt pretensioners and multiple chamber side impact padding. A post-collision system depowers the battery to reduce electrical fire risks.
Euro NCAP, Europe‘s stringent crash safety overseer, awarded Polestar 2 high scores after subjecting examples to over a half-dozen demanding tests mimicking real-world collisions:
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
| System | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | ★★★★★ |
| Adult Occupant | 93% |
| Child Occupant | 89% |
| Vulnerable Road User | 80% |
| Safety Assist | 83% |
Polestar 2‘s standards include automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assistance, adaptive LED headlights, and other driver aids expected among luxury vehicles. The optional $3,500 Pilot Pack adds niceties like a 360-degree parking camera.
"Polestar 2 sets an excellent baseline for passenger protection ahead of the brand‘s bigger electric models impending arrival," said Euro NCAP‘s Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen.
Google-Powered Digital Lifestyle Experience
Embedded Android technology sets Polestar apart from conventional luxury marques, with Google services like maps, apps, and voice functionality deeply integrated. This delivers excellent real-world functionality and convenience.
Over-the-air software improve features and add capabilities rather than requiring shop visits. Downloadable apps let you customize your experience. Standard goodies like wireless smartphone charging, WiFi hotspot, and USB-C ports will satisfy most mobile warriors.
Reviewers counter that Google‘s in-car layout doesn‘t match Tesla‘s polish or aesthetic pizzaz yet. Limited profile support, occasionally laggy responses, and dull graphics feel underdeveloped but likely temporary as the system matures.
Overall though, fanatical Google users will feel immediately at home inside Polestar 2‘s digitally augmented cabin. Expect capabilities here rivaling any vehicle.
What Does Polestar‘s Future Hold?
While Polestar‘s first vehicles set technological and sustainability benchmarks for the reborn brand, its corporate leadership already confirm more green machines underway.
Debuting this October, the hotly anticipated Polestar 3 electric SUV will compete toe-to-toe with offerings from Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Tesla‘s soon available Model X refresh. American contract manufacturing comes online for the Polestar 3 as well exporting Swedish engineering prowess abroad.
Additionally, a phenomenally powerful 600 horsepower version of the Polestar 2 dubbed BST 270 arrives in extremely limited numbers by year‘s end. Just 270 examples will reach customers starting around $75,500; this special edition singlehandedly doubling the standard model‘s output with chassis upgrades cementing track credentials. Each gains a serialized plaque and exclusive trim details setting them apart from regular Polestar 2s.
So while today‘s 2 spearheads the showroom, its makers clearly have the resources and ambition to compete far more aggressively across segments as the 2020s progress. Parent giants Volvo and Geely are investing deeply in Polestar‘s vision of sustainable electric performance motoring for the premium market.
Should You Consider Buying or Leasing?
After assessing Polestar 2 across all factors, several conclusions emerge:
For technology early adopters, the deeply integrated Google system sets Polestar apart from Tesla and conventional luxury brands alike. Over-the-air updates and app integration carries serious appeal—this electric vehicle was built to get better with age.
For ride comfort and cabin space, greater rear legroom and length than a Model 3 make the Polestar a superior option if routinely packing adults in back. Construction hews towards silence and serenity over performance.
For a luxury brand backed by legacy giants, Volvo and Geely‘s stewardship provides security versus worrying Elon Musk tweets. Dealerships offer test drives and neighborhood service. Resale values seem strong amid limited supply.
If free access to Tesla‘s Supercharger network matters, Polestar 2 won‘t suffice yet. Until Elon Musk finalizes network sharing logistics, Tesla enjoys proprietary charging infrastructure domestically providing key convenience and trip planning advantages their Swedish rival lacks.
Within its competitive set, shoppers wanting a more modestly priced EV also should compare the 2 against the XC40 Recharge from corporate cousin Volvo. Similarities abound but Volvo factors in slightly lower performance for increased range and utility at a comparable out the door cost with incentives.
For the right customer desiring sustainable luxury motoring with progressive Scandinavian styling and the latest tech under the hood, I recommend scheduling a Polestar 2 test drive or booking an overnight evaluation. This silver arrow may not claim leadership over Tesla outright, but it certainly earns merit as a formidable contender.
