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 260 miles of range.

What's New for 2023?

Dual-motor examples of the Polestar 2 gain an additional 11 miles of estimated driving range for 2023. Polestar has also expanded the color palette with two newly available exterior hues and a new interior color scheme and the 2's 19- and 20-inch wheel options feature new designs. A racier BST Edition 270 model will be offered in very limited numbers—270 in total, to be exact, only 47 of which are earmarked for our shores. The BST Edition 270's dual electric motors are tuned to produce an extra 15 lb-ft of torque and its suspension has been lowered and features adjustable Öhlins dampers. Unique 21-inch wheels are wrapped with specially-designed Pirelli P Zero performance tires.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

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 228-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 402 horsepower, zipped to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The highest-performing model is the Polestar 2 Performance, which features electric motors tuned up to 469 horsepower. The Performance model also comes equipped with 20-inch wheels and summer tires, stiffer suspension components as well as adjustable Öhlins dampers, and upgraded Brembo front brakes. During our testing, this combination zipped to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, offered up to 0.90 g of cornering grip, and stopped from 70 mph in just 160 feet. 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. The BST Edition 270 is the raciest version of the Polestar 2. We had a chance to take one for a test drive around California's Bay Area and came away impressed with its extra power and more responsive handling. Sadly, it's already sold out.

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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 260 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 260 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.

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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.

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

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