Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor 2026 Review

The 2026 Polestar 2 Long range Single motor is priced at an unchanged $66,400 plus on-road costs compared with its 2025 predecessor. Initially, the same price as its predecessor before some massive run-out discounts – try $13,000 – were introduced for the MY25.

So, what opposition does the Polestar 2 line up against? Nominally, it’s grouped with SUVs, but in reality, it has more of the look and feel of a slightly raised passenger car. The focus is often on how the Polestar 2 compares with the Tesla Model Y, the Model 3 sedan, the BYD Seal, the incoming Kia EV4 and Mazda 6e.

Anyway, the carsales test Polestar 2 showcased very little in comparison to the MY25, only adding a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor chip which claimed to speed up screen and app reaction time, tinted rear-side windows and, er, that’s about it.

There are also new options available, including a 1350-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system, a fresh metallic paint colour called Dune, and updated wheel and interior designs for the Performance and Plus packs respectively

Speaking of packs, there are a few, along with a range of single options as well. It’s an area of some complexity, and one Polestar would do well to streamline.

This new model is familiar from its rear-motor Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) upwards.

The e-motor makes 220kW/490Nm, the battery size is 82kWh lithium-ion and the claimed WLTP range is a hefty 659km. Max DC fast charging is 205kW (not bad for a 400-volt system) and AC charging is 11kW.

Housed within a squared off 4606mm-long fastback five-door SUV body is a five-seat interior that as standard includes embossed textile (cloth) seat trim (upgradable to vegan vinyl or real leather), semi-powered front seats with heating, and dual-zone climate control.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel sits ahead of the driver, while the 11.2-inch central touchscreen runs on the Android Automotive operating system with built-in Google apps including Maps, YouTube and Spotify. These services are free for 12 months before subscriptions kick in, and over-the-air updates are standard.

You can still run your iPhone via a wired CarPlay connection, and Android Auto is also wired. FM and DAB radio are included, with audio delivered through an eight-speaker sound system.

Safety starts with eight airbags and a full suite of active safety features that help prevent front and rear collisions, keep the car in its lane and more – all without being especially intrusive.

All Polestar vehicles come with a five-year vehicle warranty, eight year/160,000km battery warranty, five years complimentary roadside assist and five years of scheduled servicing.

The intervals are 24 months/30,000km and the first two visits cost a combined $1131.

While there’s very little to talk about in terms of what’s new from MY25 to MY26 Polestar 2, carsales was given the chance to compare the MY22 Polestar 2 Long range Single motor with the latest iteration thanks to the Polestar Australia team.

On the surface, there isn’t much to talk about beyond the switch from a blocky grille to a flat panel and some updated 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin too, the combination of separated screens, button-free dashboard and subdued yet chunky- trims continues. It could just be me, but maybe there’s a brighter chrome trim on the steering wheel of the 2026 Polestar 2 that lifts the ambience slightly.

But under the skin, Polestar underwent a fundamental redesign when it switched the single-motor models from front- to rear-wheel drive for 2024.

Compared with the MY22 spec, the motor now delivers more power and torque, and a slightly larger battery provides a claimed 119km of additional range. As a result, the price has gone up by $1500.

Driven in isolation the MY22 is perfectly acceptable. It’s brisk in its performance, manoeuvrable and predictable in its driving behaviour. There’s a busy firmness to the ride via the passive suspension, enhanced somewhat by the generous seats.

If this model was still in a Polestar showrooms, people would still buy it.

But on the country roads where we compared them back-to-back, the MY26 drives better.

The 2026 Polestar 2 Long range Single motor responds harder and faster to the accelerator and feels more balanced, communicative and enjoyable in its handling and electric-assist steering. It also changes direction more lithely

The nibbles and shakes back to the steering wheel that permeate in the front-wheel drive (FWD) version are gone from the rear-wheel drive (RWD).

While there is still some patter, it rides slightly better than the MY22 and is quieter. Both these improvements could be linked to the Michelin tyres the latest model was running versus the Continentals of the MY22.

On the same 50km loop the MY26 also proved significantly more economic, averaging 15kWh/100km versus 17.4kWh/100km. That equates to around 500km between recharges in the real world for the current car – which is very good.

The MY26 has the same issues the Polestar 2 has always offered.

The rear seat is a bit cramped for taller adults who sit upright, while the useless exhaust tunnel that comes with the CMA platform interferes with middle-seat space.

Boot space is also limited at 407 litres, expanding to 1095 litres with the rear seats split-folded. It is backed up by a 41 litres frunk.

The Polestar 2’s controls remain too screen-centric. Look, there is a volume dial but getting to the screen-based air-con controls can be a mystery tour.

I can’t say I noticed anything in the way of speed difference courtesy of the Snapdragon, but that doesn’t mean responses from the system were at all slow.

While the 2026 Polestar 2 Long range Single motor is a nice drive, it could be made more interactive with paddles for regen-braking adjustment. It already offers very effective one-pedal braking.

As it stands, you have to adjust regen levels through the screen – and the same goes for steering weight.

Perusing the exclusive equipment list for this model, it seems there are some items optional that should be standard at this price.

At over $70K on the road, features like powered seats, a kick sensor for the tailgate and a heat pump should be standard fare. And, as with most electric vehicles, the lack of a spare tyre remains disappointing.

Constant evolution of the Polestar 2 ensures it still stands up pretty darn well. As a Long range Single motor, it remains competitive in most areas.

Even the MY22 is still decent – it shapes up as a solid used-car buy.

But the Polestar 2 is ageing, and the number of rivals is only increasing. We won’t see a proper replacement until at least 2028, which means more substantial updates than those seen for MY26 will be needed to keep it competitive.

2026 Polestar 2 Long range Single motor a glance:
Price: $66,400 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet rear motor
Output: 220kW/490Nm
Transmission: Single speed reduction gear
Battery: 82kWh lithium-ion
Range: 659km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 14.8-15.8kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)

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