2022 Polestar 2 Review
Polestar 2 is a new standout EV contender
Review
Pros: Eye-catching styling, interior design and Google-powered tech, performance and drive
Cons: Less practical than rivals, firm ride, expensive long range options
Polestar has arrived in Ireland and the all-electric and digital sales brand is already drawing attention from prospective electric car buyers. A direct rival to Tesla‘s popular Model 3, the Polestar 2 is the brand’s first model to officially launch in Ireland. It will later be joined by the SUV-sized Polestar 3 and a suite of other all-electric models. But what is the Polestar 2 like to live with, and is it well-suited to Irish roads? Carzone took it for a test drive across Ireland to find out if it is one of the best electric cars in its class right now.
Polestar 2 Interior
The Polestar 2 demands attention out on the road with isculpted bodywork and a sporty silhouette. Motorists may be unfamiliar with the Polestar logo and brand in Ireland right now, but that is set to change in the coming months as the brand launches fully in the market and as the Polestar 2 becomes more commonplace on Irish roads. Other eye-catching features include standard frameless door mirrors, a flush black grille and bright LED lights at the front and rear.
As standard the Polestar 2 is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels and Magnesium paint in entry Standard range single motor specification. There is an option to upgrade to larger 20-inch alloy wheels with the Performance pack upgrade, however smaller wheels give improved range and comfort. There are six metallic paint finishes to choose from and the Magnesium colour pictured is the standard option.
Polestar 2 Interior
The Polestar 2 has a minimalist interior layout and brings together all sorts of sustainable ‘vegan’ materials. The standard 11.2-inch portrait-style touch screen infotainment system immediately draws attention, with crisp graphics and a responsive Google Operating System as standard. It can be controlled through the touch screen and offers one of the best voice recognition experiences we’ve tested in any car on the market right now. Other features include Google Maps built-in as standard, an option to login to Spotify and wireless Apple Car play. There is also a clearly-designed digital driver’s display which displays battery range, speed and navigation if required.
Elsewhere the Polestar 2 has a rather unique drive selector and lots of calming wood-effect materials. Space is good up front with lots of adjustment available to the driver and front seat passenger. There is space for two adults to sit in the rear seats although it doesn’t feel as spacious in the rear seats as other EVs like the Tesla Model 3 or Volkswagen ID.4. Boot space is good with 405 litres of room, and on par with the Model 3’s 425 litre boot, however the Polestar’s hatchback-style boot is better-suited to loading bulkier items.
Polestar 2 Performance & Drive
The Standard range single motor version with a 67kWh battery offers a claimed range of up to 478 kilometres and can sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds, plenty of performance for daily driving. The Long Range Dual Motor version with its larger 75kWh battery is a different proposition, covering the 0-100km/h sprint in a mere 4.7 seconds. While the Tesla Model 3 boasts faster acceleration, the Polestar 2 is nonetheless a thrilling car to drive with instantaneous acceleration and a smooth distribution of power. The Polestar 2 also impresses with surefooted handling and responsive steering; it’s fun to drive and sometimes you will even forget that it’s an EV on twistier roads.
If you need range above all else, the single motor version with the larger battery is the one to go for, as it has a claimed range of 540 kilometres. The Polestar 2 can accept up to 150kW through a public DC rapid charger which will charge the battery from 10% to 80% in around 35 minutes. With a more commonplace 50kW public fast charger, it will take approximately 65 minutes to charge the battery from 10% up to 80% capacity.
Polestar Pricing
Prices for the Standard range Single motor model with its claimed range of up to 478 kilometres start from €52,135, which is on par with the entry Tesla Model 3 (€52,990) and undercuts the BMW i4 (€65,505). The standout model is the Long range Single motor model with its claimed range of 551 kilometres and a starting price tag of €60,990. The Long range Dual motor version leaves little to be desired where performance is concerned, but it has a lower claimed range of 487 kilometres and a high starting pricetag of €64,850.
Carzone Verdict: 4/5
Polestar 2 has just landed in Ireland, but it is already one of the standout options in its class with excellent interior design, brilliant performance and standout styling. It can be slightly firm to drive on bumpier road surfaces however, while rear seat practicality isn’t as strong as some other EVs on the market. That said, the Polestar 2 is an interesting new option for prospective electric car buyers in Ireland, and it is likely to prove popular in the coming years as a result.
Test Car Details:
Model driven: Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor with Plus Pack
Prices from: €52,135
Price as tested: €67,875
Annual Road Tax: €120
Battery and motors: 75kWh dual motor
Power: 300kW
Top Speed: 205km/h
0-100km/h: 4.7 seconds
Transmission: Automatic
Body style: Hatchback
Boot Space: 405 litres