Polestar 2 2021 Review – International

We’re still months away from the local launch of the all-new Polestar 2 which is set down for January 2022, and Polestar Australia claims it has yet to finalise pricing for the Chinese-built mid-size fastback with its headquarters based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

As we’ve reported, the 2022 Polestar 2 will line up as a direct rival for the Tesla Model 3 but is no longer expected to match the base price of the US brand’s top-selling EV – also now built in China – that was recently reduced to $59,900 plus on-road costs.

We anticipate that the entry-level, single-motor, front-wheel drive Polestar 2 – producing 165kW and using a 64kWh battery – to slip in just below the new $68,750 threshold introduced by the NSW government, allowing buyers to benefit from the state’s $3000 EV subsidy and the waiving of stamp duty (up to $5540).

A more powerful and longer-range single-motor version (170kW/78kWh) should slot in around the same mark as the Tesla Model 3 Long Range (from $74,300), while the flagship dual-motor all-wheel drive Polestar 2 (300kW/78kWh) should be within striking distance of the Model 3 Performance (from $84,900).

No final specification has been set for the cars we’ll get in Australia, but it’s thought that standard kit will mirror the high-spec cars sold in the British market.

That means the most basic Polestar 2 will come with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED front and rear headlights, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an Android-based 11.0-inch infotainment system that currently works with Android Auto but will still offer Apple CarPlay following an over-the-air update.

Since Polestar has been spun off from Volvo’s high-performance division, it’s no surprise that there’s also a big emphasis on safety. There are eight airbags on board, for example, and a sophisticated autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that can detect both pedestrians and cyclists.

It’s worth mentioning that UK buyers are offered a Pilot Pack that’s priced at £3000 ($A5600). Tick the box and it adds semi-autonomous cruise control, brighter Pixel LED headlights and LED fog lights, a 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Information System (with active steer), as well as cross traffic alert (with active braking) and rear collision warning.

The Brits can also splash out on the costlier £4000 ($A7500) Plus Pack that throws in a panoramic glass roof, 13-speaker premium sound system, a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats and an upgraded WeaveTech upholstery.

Additionally, there’s wood trim and a nifty heat pump that claws back energy to warm the cabin. This system is claimed to improve the vehicle’s driving range in cold weather (5-15C) by up to 10 per cent.

The most powerful 300kW dual-motor version, meanwhile, gets a £5000 ($A9400) Performance Pack that introduces 20-way adjustable Ohlin dampers, more powerful Brembo brakes, 20-inch forged alloy wheels and lots of ‘Swedish Gold’ highlights for the tyre dust caps, brake callipers and seat belts. It’s not available on the two single-motor models.

Ahead of the gear lever are two USB-C chargers and a wireless charging pad. In the second row, below a pair of two large air vents, are additional USB-C charging ports.

In Europe, the Polestar 2 is protected by a three-year/100,000km warranty, plus eight-year/160,000km cover for the battery pack, with three years of 24-hour roadside assistance included.

Currently, every Polestar 2 sold in markets like the UK get free servicing for the first three years up to 50,000km, with the pure-electric fastback’s maintenance carried out by the Volvo dealer network.

Service intervals are variable and are calculated by the vehicle, taking into account both running time and distance covered.

With just three variants available, the streamlined approach to the 2022 Polestar 2 line-up is easy to understand.

The cheapest single-motor front-drive version gets a 64kWh lithium-ion battery that provides for a decent 420km of range. The solo motor itself musters 165kW and 330Nm.

Opt for the bigger 78kWh variant and the range is boosted to 515km while power creeps up to 170kW, with the same torque figure.

Against the clock, the punchy output for the single-motor Polestar 2 is hobbled by a towering 1995kg kerb weight. It means both single-motor Polestar 2 models take 7.4 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint and top out at 160km/h.

If you need more performance, the all-wheel drive dual-motor version delivers 300kW and 660Nm. It uses the same 78kWh battery pack to provide up to 480km of range, and can accelerate to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is 204km/h.

In isolation, both the single- and dual-motor performance and range seem reasonable and, indeed, will be more than enough for most buyers. Even the single-motor Polestar 2 delivers smooth, linear performance both off the line and when executing swift overtaking moves.

That said, in comparison to the Tesla Model 3 – both on paper and behind the wheel – the US brand’s mid-size EV is in another league for performance.

The standard rear-drive Model 3, for example, takes just 5.5 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash, while being capable of a better 448km range.

The AWD long-range Model 3 needs only 4.4sec to reach 100km/h and blends that with a more impressive 579km between top-ups.

Finally, the Model 3 Performance positively annihilates the faster dual-motor Polestar 2 with a supercar-rivalling 3.3sec launch to 100km/h that’s combined with an impressive 567km range.

As far as charging goes, the Polestar 2 takes just 35 minutes for a 10-80 per cent top-up using a 150kW charger. Using a 50kW charger increases this to around an hour, while an 11kW domestic wallbox takes around eight hours.

Unlike the Tesla that’s based on a dedicated platform created for electric cars, the 2022 Polestar 2 sits on Geely’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) that underpins models like the Volvo XC40 SUV.

While immensely strong and structurally sound – particularly in light of a five-star Euro NCAP rating achieved earlier this year – the use of CMA as a building block brings disadvantages for the Polestar 2.

Those include added weight and packaging compromises, and that explains why combined with a bigger body, depending on the variant, the Polestar 2 carries an extra 200-300kg over the smaller Tesla Model 3.

There’s also a strange transmission tunnel too – a hangover from the need to package a transmission and propshaft for an all-wheel drive petrol or diesel. Cleverly, the Swedish EV brand has used it to package its batteries down the centre spline of the car.

Up front, having to make space for the tunnel provides for a cossetting driving position which some might prefer to the sparse Tesla, but it does rob space.

In the rear seats, there’s plenty of legroom and decent shoulder-room but the rakish lines of the fastback compromises headroom and tall kids and adults over 6ft will struggle.

Luckily, some of those disadvantages are offset by a decent 405-litre boot that’s boosted by a shallower 35-litre frunk (or froot if you prefer) and the fact that the Polestar 2 is a hatch and not a sedan.

We’ve already mentioned that the Polestar 2 will feel plenty quick enough, if you’re not familiar with its American rival, and the way the cabin works is a joy beside the gimmicky Model 3.

It goes without saying, there’s a real benefit to actually having a clear digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver.

Instead of having to crane your head left every time you want to know how fast you’re going, like you have to in a Model 3, the Polestar 2 offers displays for the speed, range and brake regen and can provide a secondary sat-nav map or directions.

We also appreciated the ease and speed of the Android Auto-based infotainment system that offers a handy Google Assistant. If there’s a better system out there, we’ve yet to use it.

Behind the wheel, it’s also refreshing how low the driving position can be set, giving it the impression of more of a sports sedan than a raised crossover-style fastback.

Alas, there the comparisons end.

While the Tesla Model 3 stuns you with its cross-country speed, agility and ability to change direction quickly, the Polestar 2 feels a bit blunt in comparison.

There’s plenty of grip, but more body roll, and the mid-size Swede never quite masks the extra mass it’s lugging around.

That said, there’s still fun to be extracted and, aside from some unwanted road and tyre noise entering the cabin, the Polestar 2 doesn’t object to being briskly hustled along a country road.

What isn’t so enjoyable, though, is the stiffness of the suspension. Our car rode on optional 20-inch rims which introduced crashiness into the ride. We didn’t try the base 19-inch wheels.

The Performance Pack could help as owners are able to wind back the dampers to a more comfortable setting – a 5-10-minute job with a vehicle jack if you know what you’re doing – but it’s not available on the single-motor versions.

Like other EVs, the Polestar 2 offers one-pedal driving, if you so desire. There’s also different settings for the steering weight and an Electronic Stability Control Sport mode that offers reduced intervention for really enthusiastic driving.

Around town, the Polestar is utterly effortless both in the pace it offers off the line and the smooth, linear power it delivers.

For those who struggle with Tesla’s desire to be different just for the sake of it, the 2022 Polestar 2 will provide a genuine alternative to the Model 3.

From its intuitive infotainment system, cabin layout and general ease of use, to the fact it has a proper speedo, it all adds up to a premium mid-size electric car that’s more accessible and will be loved by EV noobs.

Where it misses the mark is in providing the sportier drive and phenomenal performance, plus added range, that the Tesla Model 3 delivers in spades.

That said, the Polestar 2 remains an utterly compelling alternative to not only the Model 3, but a host of other electric passenger cars and crossovers that are also vying for your attention.

How much does the 2022 Polestar 2 cost?
Price: $68,500 estimated (plus on-road costs)
Available: January 2022
Powertrain: Single AC synchronous electric motor
Output: 170kW/330Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 78kWh lithium-ion
Range: 515km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 17.0kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP 2021)

Related: Polestar 2 to aim directly at Tesla Model 3
Related: 350kW Polestar 2 concept makes Goodwood debut
Related: Polestar 2 to launch in November
Related: Cheaper front-drive Polestar 2 introduced
Related: Polestar confirmed for Australia
Related: Polestar will be a virtual brand in Australia
Related: All-new Polestar 2 to battle Tesla Model 3