2021 Polestar 2 Review

　　

2021 Polestar 2 Review

byJonathan ElfalanDirector, Vehicle Testing

　　Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at zzdcar, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.

　　New cars come out all the time. But how about a new car from an all-new brand? That doesn't happen very often, but our "once in a blue moon" event is here with the 2021 Polestar 2 small electric luxury sedan.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

2021 Polestar 2 EV Insights

Trim:2 Launch Edition

　　Launch Edition 4dr Hatchback AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $59,900 MSRP

　　

Estimated Range Based on Age

 zzdcar TESTED

　　215 milesThe range for a used 2021 Polestar 2 is estimated to be 215 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 215 miles.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　Estimated battery warranty remaining is 5 years or 58,000 miles for this car.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.

　　

Charging at Home

　　8 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$4,400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Federal Credit

　　$4,000

　　Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

　　For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

　　For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$78/mo

　　2

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Car Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Polestar is a new offshoot from Volvo. In the past, there have been Polestar-engineered performance versions of existing Volvo vehicles. Now it's getting its own vehicle lineup but with a different, more modern take. Instead of throaty exhausts and high-strung turbocharged engines, there's lots of electricity and luxury.

　　The Polestar 2 is meant to rival the Tesla Model 3. It has more squared-off styling than the 3 and a large rear hatch area in lieu of a standard trunk, as the Model 3 has. Range is certainly decent — the EPA estimates you can go 233 miles on a full charge — but there's no way to upgrade to a bigger battery and more range, as you can with the Model 3.

　　Inside, the Polestar 2 uses Google's Android to power the infotainment system. It incorporates Google Maps, Google Play and Google Assistant right into an 11.2-inch touchscreen interface. Voice controls are cloud-based and as advanced as those on your smartphone, allowing you to check the weather or control your seat heater just by saying "Hey, Google" followed by a command. Rest easy, iPhone owners — you don't need an Android-based phone to interface with the system, and wireless Apple CarPlay will be a feature added (via over-the-air update) by the end of 2020.

　　As with the Model 3, your phone can act as the key, though two key fobs and an activity key are also provided. With your phone you can stay updated on things such as the remaining range and charging status or remotely precondition your cabin temp. You can even send a temporary digital key to someone if, say, you're away and need them to move your car on street-sweeping day.

　　So how does it all turn out? Is it a Tesla Model 3 killer? Read our Expert Rating below to find out.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the 2 drive? What a time we live in. Electric cars are setting new performance standards and anything accelerating to 60 mph in more than 5 seconds is merely average. Tesla has set a high bar, but the Polestar 2 has the goods to match it. Our Polestar 2 test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. That's impressively quick but a bit behind Tesla's claim for the Model 3 Performance's acceleration.

　　Stopping from 60 mph took just 102 feet. That's among the shortest distance recorded for any EV we've tested to date. Both are figures many sports cars would be happy to claim.

　　But it's not just straight-line performance where the Polestar 2 shines. In fact, the Polestar 2 leads the way through corners and sets the new standard for the class. Its steering may not have quite the quick and immediate snap of the Tesla's, but it grips and moves with natural confidence. When you just feel like cruising, the Polestar is a smooth operator, delivering the effortless acceleration we've come to expect from an EV. It also offers easy one-pedal driving thanks to a generous amount of regenerative braking available.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the 2? The Polestar 2 provides a great amount of comfort in such a compact package. For how well it handles, ride comfort is excellent. And if you're so inclined to crawl under the car to manually adjust them, there are 22 available settings in the optional Performance pack's Ohlins adjustable dampers. Noise is also very well isolated, and vibrations and squeaks were nonexistent in our test vehicle.

　　The seats provide ample cushioning and support over long distances, but we noticed the non-perforated upholstery lacked breathability. The seat heaters, front and rear, work great and have multiple levels of heat. The climate system's power is more than adequate and is easy enough to adjust.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The interior quality and styling in the Polestar 2 are exquisite, but that's not what we're grading here (see the value section). Instead, it's how we interact with the interior. We found the pioneering Google Android interface to be quite user-friendly. If you own a smartphone, you should have little issue getting acquainted with the layout and learning how to control things. And unlike Tesla, you're not entirely reliant on the center screen for functions such as operating the windshield wipers or cruise control. We greatly prefer the Polestar 2 here.

　　The Polestar 2 has a little less interior space than the Model 3 does. The front has a cozier feeling, but there's a good range of adjustment for the driver with the exception of a steering column that doesn't quite extend out far enough. Rear seating is generally comfortable, though a battery tunnel running down the middle of the car takes up floor space, and there's slightly less headroom.

　　Forward visibility is excellent thanks to the large windows and frameless mirrors. The view out back is more narrow, like being in a coupe, and the rear headrests obscure the view even more. The glass roof does help create an airy feel, but it can be a bit too bright at times if the sun is directly overhead. The standard surround-view camera system is great to have, but the rearview camera's fish-eye lens can distort the distances to objects.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? No one has been able to challenge Tesla up to this point, but with the help of Google, the Polestar 2 does. Polestar is the first manufacturer to integrate Google's Android OS directly into its infotainment, meaning the 11.3-inch center touchscreen operates much like a smartphone. You're essentially plugged into the Google ecosystem with everything from Maps to Google Assistant, an advanced voice recognition system that allows you to adjust everything from your climate or seat heaters. It can even fire off a decent "Dad joke" on command.

　　For iPhone owners, Polestar will be adding wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration in the near future via an over-the-air software update. Yes, Polestar will be pushing out vehicle improvements of all sorts over the air, something Tesla has led the way on.

　　All Polestar 2 Launch Edition models come with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver aids as well. Everything from adaptive cruise control with lane centering to blind-spot monitoring system is here, as well as a 360-degree surround-view camera system. Polestar says full self-parking (meaning no driver in the car) is a feature that's on its way.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Polestar 2's fastback hatch design bodes well for cargo. The rear seats are split 60/40 and fold virtually flat for a generous 38.7 cubic feet of maximum space. There's also a center pass-through, additional underfloor storage and a handy pop-up grocery partition. You'd think it would have a significant advantage over the Model 3, but overall space is very similar.

　　Small-item storage isn't so great. The center battery tunnel cuts into space that would otherwise be for small-item storage. Cupholders are concealed under a sliding and folding armrest, so you have to choose between drinks or an elbow rest. Most other cubbies are modestly sized. The Model 3's storage may not be that well organized, but its extra storage space has the Polestar 2 beat.

　　The Polestar 2 is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds. While there are claims the Model 3 can tow as much, there is no official rating from Tesla to validate it.

　　

Range and Efficiency

6.5/10

　　How are the range and efficiency? The EPA estimates a Polestar 2 will go 233 miles on a full charge. It also says the Polestar 2 consumes 37 kWh worth of electricity for every 100 miles driven.

　　In zzdcar testing, we ran a Polestar 2 outfitted with the Performance pack (larger 20-inch wheels with grippier summer tires) at 80% battery charge on our real-world EV evaluation route. (Polestar recommends charging to 80% for daily use to preserve long-term battery life.) We made it a total of 190.1 miles. Based on our charging data, we calculated a consumption of 35.2 kWh/100 miles.

　　What does this all mean? Mostly that the EPA's range and efficiency estimates seem to be pretty accurate. As EVs go, however, the Polestar 2 is a little thirsty. On our same test route, a Model 3 Standard Range Plus used 27.4 kWh/100 miles. Remember that the lower the kWh number, the more efficient the vehicle is.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the 2 a good value? The Polestar 2 is not inexpensive. And while some packages such as a leather interior ($4,000) make it even less affordable, there are some advantages to going with this Swede. Build quality inside and out feels solid, and Polestar's approach to cabin design strikes an excellent balance of elegance and simplicity.

　　By comparison, Tesla's models look virtually the same on the inside whether you get a base trim or all the bells and whistles. For now, pricing is competitive with a Model 3 Long Range if you factor in the available tax credits, but it becomes a harder case to make without them.

　　On the plus side, Polestar's warranties are pretty attractive and service centers offer complimentary vehicle pickup within a 150-mile radius. The bumper-to-bumper warranty is a typical four years/50,000 miles, but the electric motors and batteries are covered for a minimum of eight years/100,000 miles, or up to 10 years/150,000 miles if you're in California. Most competitors only cover the batteries under this warranty. The rust-through warranty is also on the generous side at 12 years/unlimited miles, with roadside assistance for four years/50,000 miles.

　　The Polestar 2 comes with an 11-kW onboard charger and the usual assortment of portable charge cord options, including a standard 120-volt household adapter and a 240-volt SAE public charge equipment adapter. On a proper home wall charger, it'll charge to full from empty in about 8 hours. It also has a DC fast-charging capability of up to 150 kW, which can theoretically get you from empty to an 80% battery charge in about 40 minutes.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　The Polestar 1 is gorgeous. The Polestar 2 ... is not ugly. While there are definitely some good angles, some are a little less flattering. One thing that isn't up for debate is that the Polestar 2 is fun to drive. Perhaps its unassuming style is part of the charm because you'd be hard-pressed to know it's packing over 400 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque. Our Performance pack car delivers Tesla-beating handling despite a hefty weight penalty, yet it doesn't punish you on the ride home.

　　Tesla's Performance models still deliver more pop in a straight line, but if you decide to go with the Polestar 2, you'll hardly be disappointed.

　　

Which 2 does zzdcar recommend?

The Polestar 2 is currently only offered in the Launch Edition trim, which comes very well equipped with Polestar's Pilot package, a comprehensive suite of advanced driving aids, and the Plus package, a bundle of luxury amenities including a panoramic glass roof, LED lights, heated power seats and a premium sound system. If you don't want to pay for all of that, you'll likely be waiting a while for the entry-level models.

　　

2021 Polestar 2 models

The Polestar 2 debuts as a generously equipped trim aptly called the Launch Edition. There will eventually be more basic trims offered, but no details have been announced.

　　Launch Edition

　　Comes loaded with:

　　Dual electric motors producing 408 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque 78-kWh battery DC fast charger port (up to 150 kW DC fast-charging capability) Polestar digital key (lets you use your phone as a key) 19-inch alloy wheels Dual-zone climate control Interior ambient lighting 11-inch touchscreen Four USB-C power ports Hands-free liftgateThe Plus package, which is also standard, adds:

　　Panoramic glass roof 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves) High-pressure headlight-cleaning nozzles Heated front and rear seats Heated steering wheel and wiper blades Wireless phone chargerIt also comes with the Pilot package, a comprehensive suite of advanced safety aids that includes:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Polestar 2 and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Polestar 2 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) with automatic braking Fully automatic (driverless) parking Road sign recognition Lane keeping assist (steers the Polestar 2 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) But wait, there's more! The optional Performance package adds:

　　Sport-tuned suspension with Öhlins performance dampers Brembo front brakes 20-inch forged alloy wheels with summer tires High-gloss black roof panel Gold-colored seat beltsStand-alone options include:

　　Ventilated Nappa leather upholstery with reconstructed wood trim 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires

　　

2021 2 Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$59,900
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Electric
zzdcar Tested Electric Range	228 miles vs EPA Range 233 miles
Cost to Drive	$78/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	8.0 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles
EV Battery Warranty	8 years / 100,000 miles