Polestar 2 Review
Polestar 2 Review
Exploring the Polestar 2
In the ever-evolving landscape of electric vehicles, the Polestar 2 emerges as a standout contender, challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of sustainable mobility. Born from the vision of Polestar, a brand known for its commitment to innovation and progressive design, the Polestar 2 represents a new era of electrified driving.
At first glance, the Polestar 2 captivates with its sleek and dynamic exterior, reflecting a harmonious blend of Scandinavian elegance and sporty flair. As you step inside, the meticulously crafted interior reveals a sanctuary of modern design, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional comfort. But the Polestar 2 is not just about aesthetics; it is a vehicle designed to make a lasting impact on the way we drive and interact with our cars.
With its commitment to sustainability, the Polestar 2 is driven by electric power, offering zero-emissions performance without compromising on power or range. Equipped with advanced electric drivetrain technology, the Polestar 2 delivers exhilarating acceleration, seamless power delivery, and a driving experience that truly embodies the future of mobility.
Beyond its performance capabilities, the Polestar 2 embraces the latest advancements in safety, incorporating an array of intelligent features and systems to protect both occupants and pedestrians. This commitment to safety has earned the Polestar 2 recognition for its exceptional crash test ratings and innovative safety technologies.
As an electric vehicle designed for the modern world, the Polestar 2 also considers the practicality and convenience of everyday life. With its spacious interior, versatile cargo capacity, and user-friendly connectivity features, the Polestar 2 seamlessly integrates into your lifestyle, whether it's for personal use or business ventures.
The Polestar 2 is not just a car; it represents a shift in the automotive industry, where sustainability, performance, and innovation converge. Its popularity among environmentally conscious drivers is a testament to its ability to captivate hearts and minds.
Throughout this article, we will delve into the various aspects of the Polestar 2, exploring its exterior and interior design, comfort and practicality, safety features, performance, charging capabilities, and more. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of why the Polestar 2 stands out as a true game-changer in the realm of electric vehicles. So buckle up and join us on this electrifying journey as we uncover the exceptional qualities that define the Polestar 2.
Please note that this review is based on the Polestar 2 variants, which were updated in early 2023. The pictures used in this review are for illustration purposes only.
Polestar 2 exterior
The exterior design of the Polestar 2 is a captivating blend of sleek Scandinavian minimalism and contemporary sportiness. It exudes a sense of confidence and elegance while making a statement about its forward-thinking nature.
Starting with the front, the Polestar 2 features a distinctive grille with a unique pattern that sets it apart from traditional combustion engine vehicles. The Polestar logo proudly sits at the centre, emphasising the brand's identity and commitment to sustainability.
The sharp and expressive LED headlights, known as the "Thor's Hammer" signature lights, flank the front grille, giving the Polestar 2 a striking and recognisable face on the road. These headlights provide exceptional illumination and enhance the vehicle's futuristic appeal.
Moving along the sides, the Polestar 2 showcases clean lines and a sleek profile that seamlessly blends form and function. The absence of traditional side mirrors contributes to its aerodynamic efficiency, with smart cameras replacing them for improved visibility and reduced drag. The roofline gracefully slopes towards the rear, creating a coupe-like silhouette that adds a touch of sportiness to the overall design. At the rear, the full-width LED taillights further accentuate the modern aesthetic, creating a visually striking presence when viewed from behind.
One notable aspect of the Polestar 2's exterior design is its attention to detail. From the flush-mounted door handles to the smooth integration of charging ports, every element has been carefully considered to enhance both aesthetics and functionality.
The Polestar 2 is available in a range of eye-catching colours, including vibrant hues and sophisticated metallic finishes. This allows owners to personalise their vehicle to match their individual style preferences and make a statement on the road.
In summary, the Polestar 2's exterior design is a harmonious combination of clean lines, modern accents, and purposeful aerodynamics. Its sleek and confident appearance sets it apart from conventional vehicles, showcasing the brand's commitment to progressive design and sustainable mobility. Whether cruising down city streets or taking on winding country roads, the Polestar 2 captivates attention and embodies a new era of electric performance.
Polestar 2 interior
Step inside the Polestar 2, and you'll enter a world of modern luxury and cutting-edge technology. The interior of the Polestar 2 is designed to provide an exceptional driving experience that combines comfort, practicality, and a seamless integration of digital features.
You'll first notice the minimalist and uncluttered cabin, a hallmark of Scandinavian design. Clean lines, high-quality materials, and attention to detail create an atmosphere of understated elegance. The interior space feels open and inviting, enhancing the overall sense of spaciousness.
The seating in the Polestar 2 offers both comfort and support. The ergonomic front seats provide excellent cushioning and are designed to reduce fatigue during long drives.
The rear seats offer ample legroom and headroom, accommodating passengers of various sizes with ease. Upholstery options range from premium textiles to Nappa leather, allowing you to tailor the interior to your preferences.
At the heart of the Polestar 2's interior is the 11.15" portrait-oriented infotainment display, known as the Polestar Interactive Display. This vertically oriented screen is powered by an Android-based operating system, offering seamless integration with various digital services and applications. It provides access to navigation, media, vehicle settings, and even third-party apps, all within a sleek and intuitive interface.
In addition to the central display, the Polestar 2 features a 12.3" digital driver display behind the steering wheel. This customisable display presents important vehicle information, such as speed, battery level, and driving mode, ensuring that all essential data is easily accessible to the driver.
The Polestar 2 comes equipped with a host of advanced connectivity features. It supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing seamless integration with your smartphone for music streaming, hands-free calls, and access to your favourite apps. The vehicle also offers over-the-air software updates, ensuring you always have the latest features and enhancements.
In terms of practicality, the Polestar 2 provides ample storage solutions. The spacious 405-litre boot offers generous luggage capacity, making it suitable for everyday errands or weekend getaways. The rear seats can be folded down to increase the luggage space to 1095-litres, allowing for more flexibility when transporting larger items.
As of 2023, all Polestar 2s are equipped with a 360-degree surround-view camera, DAB Digital radio, a 250W eight-speaker high-performance audio system, heated front seats, a humidity sensor, semi-electric front seats with driver's seat memory and dual-zone electronic climate control.
Another notable feature is the absence of traditional keys. Instead, the Polestar 2 offers a digital key option, allowing you to use your smartphone as a key to unlock and start the vehicle. This convenient feature eliminates the need for physical keys and simplifies the ownership experience.
Overall, the interior of the Polestar 2 combines modern luxury, advanced technology, and thoughtful design. It creates an inviting and connected environment that enhances both the driving experience and everyday practicality. The Polestar 2's interior exemplifies the brand's commitment to creating a harmonious fusion of aesthetics and functionality.
Polestar 2 performance
The entry-level Standard Range Single Motor model delivers 490Nm of torque and 268bhp, enabling a 0-62mph time of 6.4 seconds. Opt for the Long Range Single Motor variant, and 0-62mph comes in slightly quicker in 6.2 seconds, thanks to 490Nm of torque and 295bhp.
The Long Range Dual Motor model boasts torque of 740Nm and 716bhp, which powers the Polestar 2 in 0-62mph in only 4.5 seconds. If the Performance Pack is equipped, 0-62mph takes only 4.2 seconds.
Polestar 2 range
When the single-motor Polestar 2 Standard Range mode was launched, it provided a range of around 273 miles due to its 69kWh battery. And the Long Range models were fitted with a 78kWh battery, delivering 341 and 301 miles in single and dual-motor forms, respectively.
However, thanks to updates earlier in 2023, the entry-level Standard Range model switched from front to rear-wheel drive and now uses a more efficient electric motor that provides a range of up to 330 miles.
Long Range Single Motor models are now supplied with a larger 82kWh battery and can provide up to 406 miles on a full charge, according to the Swedish car manufacturer. This impressive range beats the official figures for the Mercedes EQE's 394-mile range as well as exceeding those of the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 Long Range.
You can also lease the Polestar 2 Dual Motor, also supplied with a 82kWh battery, which can handily disconnect its front motor while cruising to provide more efficiency. The outcome is that the twin-motor versions can now deliver an improved official range of up to 367 miles, an increase on the previous 301-mile range.
It goes without saying, though, that achieving any car's claimed range requires smooth driving and gentle acceleration. If you regularly make full use of the Polestar 2's exceptional torque and power on your journey, it will adversely affect the range available to you. However, Polestar drivers can access a handy online calculator to determine how often they will need to charge their vehicle. The tool will help drivers find charging points whilst on the move and provide a slider for weekly distance, which is translated into total savings versus diesel or petrol, what the total monthly charges would be and work out projected Co2 emissions reductions.
How long does it take to charge the Polestar 2?
When charging the Polestar 2 from home, using a standard 7.4kW wallbox, it will take approximately 11 hours to charge the entry-level model or around 12 hours for the larger of the two batteries. However, suppose your house is equipped with three-phase electricity. In that case, you can take advantage of charging the Polestar 2 in around seven hours for the smaller battery and about eight hours for the larger batteries.
Due to recent updates earlier this year, the entry-level Polestar 2 Standard Range model can now charge up to 135kW and the Long Range versions up to 205kW. According to Polestar, you can charge up each version in around 30 minutes from 10-80% if you're using an ultra-rapid or fast rapid charger.
All Polestar 2 variants are supplied with a three-pin home-charging cable as well as a Type 2 charging cable.
How safe is the Polestar 2?
As you would expect from a brand with such strong links to Volvo, the Polestar 2 is extremely well-equipped when it comes to safety, with a comprehensive range of standard safety features and technologies designed to enhance occupant protection and mitigate the risk of accidents.
When vehicle safety industry experts Euro NCAP crash tested the Polestar 2 in 2021, they awarded the vehicle their maximum five-star rating, scoring adult and child occupant categories at 93% and 89%, respectively.
From January 2023, all Polestar 2s now come with driver-awareness technology, such as a 360-degree parking camera, which detects pedestrians, cyclists and other cars and informs the front and rear parking sensors. The camera also detects and reads road signs and handily displays them on the 12.3" driver display.
Standard safety equipment also includes a collision mitigation system, which utilises front and rear-facing radars to take 'preventative measures' when a collision is likely to happen. This includes warning the driver by pulsing through audio or visual cues or the brake pedal, which might be applied if needed. The collision mitigation system also includes seatbelt pre-tensioners, automatic pre-braking and steering assistance.
In addition, there's also a rear-collision warning and mitigation as well as blind-spot information, which detects vehicles that are about to pass and flashes a warning light in the frameless mirrors. If the driver persists in trying to switch lanes, the steer assist function steers Polestar 2 back into the lane it was in.
If you opt for the 'Pilot Pack', it includes Pixel LED headlights, 'Pilot Assist' lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control and LED front fog lights with cornering function.
There’s also a full range of airbags, including inner-side airbags designed to protect the driver and passenger from a side impact. Other safety equipment includes auto-dipping headlights that follow the road to improve visibility on twisty bends and turning in dimly lit areas.
How reliable is the Polestar 2?
Polestar is still a fairly new car manufacturer, but with their sister company Volvo supplying much of the car’s running equipment, you can expect reliability not to be an issue. Although Polestar issued a recall notice in 2020 regarding faulty power inverters and possible loss of drive, the manufacturer quickly resolved the issue and fixed the affected vehicles.
In 2023, when Auto Express carried out the Driver Power New Car survey, the Polestar 2 achieved a respectable 17th finish amongst a list of 75 best cars to own, scoring 90.94%.
What are the insurance groups for the Polestar 2?
The entry-level Polestar 2 Single Motor model falls into insurance group 40, while the Long Range Single Motor version has a rating of 44. However, adding the Plus Pack to your Polestar 2 Long Range – with its high-end stereo and panoramic roof helps drop the rating to group 42.
The top-of-the-range, all-wheel-drive Polestar 2, equipped with the Performance Pack option, has an insurance group rating of 45, which might seem high, but it's still lower than any Tesla Model 3 models, which fall between insurance groups 48-50.
What are the road tax costs for the Polestar 2?
Because the Polestar 2 is an all-electric car, it can help save thousands of pounds for company-car drivers in Benefit-in-Kind (BiK). In the 2022/23 tax year, EV drivers only had to pay 2%, which is fixed until at least 2024-25. Furthermore, you don't have to pay annual road tax until 2025.
Why is the Polestar 2 so popular?
The Polestar 2 has gained popularity for several reasons, as it offers a compelling combination of features and qualities that appeal to a wide range of our leasing customers.
Here are some key factors contributing to the popularity of the Polestar 2:
Electric Performance: As an all-electric vehicle, the Polestar 2 offers impressive performance and instant torque, delivering a thrilling driving experience. Its electric powertrain provides smooth acceleration, responsiveness, and a quiet ride, making it a compelling choice for those seeking both sustainability and exciting performance.
Scandinavian Design: The Polestar 2 showcases a sleek and contemporary Scandinavian design, characterised by clean lines, minimalist aesthetics, and high-quality materials. Its stylish exterior and refined interior create an appealing blend of elegance and simplicity, resonating with those who appreciate modern design philosophies.
Advanced Technology: The Polestar 2 embraces cutting-edge technology, both in terms of electric propulsion and connectivity features. With its state-of-the-art infotainment system powered by an Android-based operating system, the Polestar 2 offers seamless integration of digital services, intuitive user interfaces, and over-the-air software updates, enhancing the driving experience and keeping the vehicle up-to-date.
Range and Charging: The Polestar 2 offers a competitive electric range, allowing drivers to travel significant distances on a single charge. This alleviates range anxiety and makes electric driving more practical for daily commutes and longer journeys. Additionally, the availability of a fast-charging capability enables convenient recharging at compatible charging stations, minimising downtime.
Safety and Reliability: Polestar has placed a strong emphasis on safety, equipping the Polestar 2 with advanced driver assistance systems and numerous safety features. This commitment to occupant protection contributes to its appeal, providing peace of mind to drivers and passengers. Furthermore, the Polestar brand, being a subsidiary of Volvo, benefits from Volvo's reputation for safety and reliability, which adds to its overall popularity.
Environmental Consciousness: As an electric vehicle, the Polestar 2 contributes to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable mobility. This resonates with environmentally conscious consumers who prioritise eco-friendly transportation options and are committed to reducing their carbon footprint.
What is the Polestar 2 comparable to?
The Polestar 2 competes in the market segment of premium electric vehicles, where it faces competition from several notable models.
Here are some key competitors that the Polestar 2 is often compared to:
The Tesla Model 3 is one of the most popular electric vehicles globally and is considered a direct competitor to the Polestar 2. Both models offer similar electric range, performance capabilities, and advanced technology features.
The Audi e-tron GT is another strong competitor in the premium electric vehicle segment. It offers a blend of performance, luxury, and cutting-edge technology.
The e-tron GT boasts a stylish design, high-quality interior, and advanced driving dynamics, targeting consumers looking for a premium electric vehicle with a touch of sportiness.
The BMW i4 is BMW's entry into the luxury electric car market and competes directly with the Polestar 2. It combines BMW's renowned driving dynamics, a luxurious interior, and a comprehensive range of standard features. The i4 appeals to customers who appreciate a balance of performance, comfort, and brand prestige.
The Jaguar I-PACE is an all-electric SUV that offers a blend of sportiness, luxury, and practicality. It provides a spacious and high-quality interior, impressive performance, and lots of advanced safety features.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC is Mercedes' first fully electric SUV. It offers a comfortable and refined driving experience, an abundance of standard tech features, and advanced safety features. The EQC targets customers who seek a premium electric SUV with a focus on comfort and sophistication.
It's worth noting that the competitive landscape in the electric vehicle market is continuously evolving as new models are introduced, and existing models receive updates. Factors such as pricing, performance, range, charging infrastructure, and brand reputation all play a role in determining the competition within the premium electric vehicle segment.
Ultimately, consumers interested in the Polestar 2 often consider its rivals in terms of design, performance, range, interior quality, technology features, and overall value proposition to make an informed leasing decision that aligns with their preferences and priorities.
Is Polestar owned by Volvo?
Yes, Polestar is a subsidiary of Volvo Cars. Initially launched as a performance brand by Volvo in 1996, Polestar was acquired by Volvo Cars in 2015. In 2017, Volvo and its parent company, Geely Holding Group, decided to further develop Polestar as an electric vehicle brand. Polestar operates as a separate entity within the Volvo Cars group, with a focus on designing and producing electric vehicles that combine performance, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology.
The Polestar 2 is one of the key models developed under the Polestar brand's EV strategy.
Can you charge a Polestar 2 on a Tesla station?
The cheapest way to charge a Polestar 2 is by plugging it into a domestic energy source at your home. But this is also the slowest way to get your EV fully charged. The quickest and more expensive way to charge your Polestar 2 is through rapid charging.
While there aren't any dedicated Polestar 2 charging stations, you can charge a Polestar 2 at any commercial charging stations, including the Tesla supercharger network. For the best rapid charging options, you can download either the Zap-Map or Bonnet apps, which will give you access to a massive network of charging stations across the UK and Europe.
If you need help finding the right Polestar 2 or electric vehicle contract hire deal that suits your requirements, please call our experienced and friendly team on 02392 245570.
