The Polestar 2 is a sleek, high performance, all-electric hatchback, disguised as a saloon
Quick Stats
- Vehicle type: 100% electric
- Number of seats: 5 seats
- Body shape: Hatchback / saloon
- Official WLTP range: from 273 to 335 miles
- Average range: from 224 to 275 miles
- Maximum Rapid DC charging rate: from 125 to 150 kW
- Price including grant (if applicable): from £39,900 to £57,900
Overview
The Polestar 2 is the first all-electric car from Geely-Volvo-Polestar, a Chinese-Swedish motor group.
It’s a direct challenge to the dominance of the Tesla Model 3. The two cars have many similarities, but the 2 has the advantage of a more practical hatchback boot to the Model 3’s saloon format (see the Model Y for Tesla’s hatchback option).
The Polestar 2 comes in either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configuration.
You also have two battery options to choose from; the larger one offering tons of range.
As you’ll see below, there are various trims available which can be combined with the different battery sizes and drivetrains, providing plenty of choice.
In the front, the Polestar 2 feels a bit like a cockpit – you nestle snugly into your seats ready for action. It’s plush and classy. There’s a large central touchscreen in portrait which controls nearly all of the car’s features. Alternatively, you can use your voice via Google Assistant to issue commands.
Two rear passengers fit in fine, left and right, but there is a hump on the floor in the centre which would annoy a middle passenger.
How does it perform on the road? It drives really well. Acceleration is powerful and instant. Roll is minimal due to a low centre of gravity (heavy batteries help, too). Suspension can feel quite hard, but if you fancy yourself as a ‘driver’, you’ll love the ride.
Storage? Pretty good boot size and cargo volume with the seats down – full specs below.
In summary, the Polestar 2 is an accomplished, stylish, quick, desirable, saloon-shaped hatchback that you will love.
| Trim / Variant | Price | Drivetrain |
| Standard Range | £39,900 | Front-wheel-drive |
| Standard Range Pilot | £42,900 | Front-wheel-drive |
| Long Range | £42,900 | Front-wheel-drive |
| Standard Range Plus | £43,900 | Front-wheel-drive |
| Long Range Pilot | £45,900 | Front-wheel-drive |
| Long Range AWD | £45,900 | All-wheel-drive |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | £46,900 | Front-wheel-drive |
| Long Range Plus | £46,900 | Front-wheel-drive |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | £48,900 | All-wheel-drive |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | £49,900 | Front-wheel-drive |
| Long Range AWD Plus | £49,900 | All-wheel-drive |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | £52,900 | All-wheel-drive |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | £57,900 | All-wheel-drive |
Batteries & Range
How far can you drive on a full charge of the battery in the Polestar 2? In ideal conditions, you should be able to achieve the official ‘WLTP’ range in miles. However in winter, for example, electric car batteries don’t perform as well, and actual range will be lower.
This table shows both the more optimistic WLTP range, and a rough, more likely ‘average’ range for the various versions of the Polestar 2:
| Trim / Variant | Battery (useable) | Average Range | WLTP Range |
| Standard Range | 61 kWh | 224 miles | 273 miles |
| Standard Range Pilot | 61 kWh | 224 miles | 273 miles |
| Long Range | 75 kWh | 275 miles | 335 miles |
| Standard Range Plus | 61 kWh | 224 miles | 273 miles |
| Long Range Pilot | 75 kWh | 275 miles | 335 miles |
| Long Range AWD | 75 kWh | 244 miles | 298 miles |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 61 kWh | 224 miles | 273 miles |
| Long Range Plus | 75 kWh | 275 miles | 335 miles |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 75 kWh | 244 miles | 298 miles |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 75 kWh | 275 miles | 335 miles |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 75 kWh | 244 miles | 298 miles |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 75 kWh | 244 miles | 298 miles |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 75 kWh | 244 miles | 298 miles |
Efficiency
We are all used to ‘miles per gallon’ of petrol or diesel when thinking about efficiency in traditional cars. With EVs, you need to replace ‘gallon’ with ‘kWh’. 1 kWh = 1 unit of electricity. So the ‘miles per kWh’ measure tells you how many miles you can go on 1 kWh of electricity – the higher the number the better.
Here’s data for the Polestar 2, together with an equivalent in miles per gallon (yes, electric cars really are that efficient!):
| Trim / Variant | Efficiency (electric) | Efficiency ('MPG') |
| Standard Range | 3.67 miles per kWh | 147 miles per gallon |
| Standard Range Pilot | 3.67 miles per kWh | 147 miles per gallon |
| Long Range | 3.66 miles per kWh | 147 miles per gallon |
| Standard Range Plus | 3.67 miles per kWh | 147 miles per gallon |
| Long Range Pilot | 3.66 miles per kWh | 147 miles per gallon |
| Long Range AWD | 3.26 miles per kWh | 130 miles per gallon |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 3.67 miles per kWh | 147 miles per gallon |
| Long Range Plus | 3.66 miles per kWh | 147 miles per gallon |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 3.26 miles per kWh | 130 miles per gallon |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 3.66 miles per kWh | 147 miles per gallon |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 3.26 miles per kWh | 130 miles per gallon |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 3.26 miles per kWh | 130 miles per gallon |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 3.26 miles per kWh | 130 miles per gallon |
Charging Times & Costs
If you have off-street parking, the best and cheapest place to charge your Polestar 2 is at home. Depending on your home energy tariff, you’ll either charge at a standard flat rate or at a lower off-peak rate. The 0-100% charge times below are a ‘worst case’ scenario – typically you will charge 1-2 hours a day, or maybe go for a longer charge on just a couple of days a week.
Charging at Home on an Off-peak rate of 5p per kWh
| Trim / Variant | Charge Time 0-100% | Cost per mile |
| Standard Range | 8 hours 14 minutes | 1.4p |
| Standard Range Pilot | 8 hours 14 minutes | 1.4p |
| Long Range | 10 hours 8 minutes | 1.4p |
| Standard Range Plus | 8 hours 14 minutes | 1.4p |
| Long Range Pilot | 10 hours 8 minutes | 1.4p |
| Long Range AWD | 10 hours 8 minutes | 1.5p |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 8 hours 14 minutes | 1.4p |
| Long Range Plus | 10 hours 8 minutes | 1.4p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 10 hours 8 minutes | 1.5p |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 10 hours 8 minutes | 1.4p |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 10 hours 8 minutes | 1.5p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 10 hours 8 minutes | 1.5p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 10 hours 8 minutes | 1.5p |
Charging at Home on a Peak rate of 15p per kWh
| Trim / Variant | Charge Time 0-100% | Cost per mile |
| Standard Range | 8 hours 14 minutes | 4.1p |
| Standard Range Pilot | 8 hours 14 minutes | 4.1p |
| Long Range | 10 hours 8 minutes | 4.1p |
| Standard Range Plus | 8 hours 14 minutes | 4.1p |
| Long Range Pilot | 10 hours 8 minutes | 4.1p |
| Long Range AWD | 10 hours 8 minutes | 4.6p |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 8 hours 14 minutes | 4.1p |
| Long Range Plus | 10 hours 8 minutes | 4.1p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 10 hours 8 minutes | 4.6p |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 10 hours 8 minutes | 4.1p |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 10 hours 8 minutes | 4.6p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 10 hours 8 minutes | 4.6p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 10 hours 8 minutes | 4.6p |
When you’re on a trip, you can get a quick boost at a rapid charger. These vary in terms of charging speed and you are also limited by the Polestar 2’s maximum charging rate. Take the 10-80% charging times with a pinch of salt – the charging rate will gradually decrease and times are often longer.
Charging in Public at a 50 kW Rapid Charger at a rate of 35p per kWh
| Trim / Variant | Max DC charge | Charge Time 10-80% | Cost per mile |
| Standard Range | 125 kW | 51 minutes | 9.5p |
| Standard Range Pilot | 125 kW | 51 minutes | 9.5p |
| Long Range | 150 kW | 1 hour 3 minutes | 9.6p |
| Standard Range Plus | 125 kW | 51 minutes | 9.5p |
| Long Range Pilot | 150 kW | 1 hour 3 minutes | 9.6p |
| Long Range AWD | 150 kW | 1 hour 3 minutes | 10.7p |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 125 kW | 51 minutes | 9.5p |
| Long Range Plus | 150 kW | 1 hour 3 minutes | 9.6p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 150 kW | 1 hour 3 minutes | 10.7p |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 150 kW | 1 hour 3 minutes | 9.6p |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 150 kW | 1 hour 3 minutes | 10.7p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 150 kW | 1 hour 3 minutes | 10.7p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 150 kW | 1 hour 3 minutes | 10.7p |
Charging in Public at a 150 kW Rapid Charger at a rate of 40p per kWh
| Trim / Variant | Max DC charge | Charge Time 10-80% | Cost per mile |
| Standard Range | 125 kW | 20 minutes | 10.9p |
| Standard Range Pilot | 125 kW | 20 minutes | 10.9p |
| Long Range | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 10.9p |
| Standard Range Plus | 125 kW | 20 minutes | 10.9p |
| Long Range Pilot | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 10.9p |
| Long Range AWD | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 12.3p |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 125 kW | 20 minutes | 10.9p |
| Long Range Plus | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 10.9p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 12.3p |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 10.9p |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 12.3p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 12.3p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 12.3p |
Charging in Public at a 350 kW Rapid Charger at a rate of 70p per kWh
| Trim / Variant | Max DC charge | Charge Time 10-80% | Cost per mile |
| Standard Range | 125 kW | 20 minutes | 19.1p |
| Standard Range Pilot | 125 kW | 20 minutes | 19.1p |
| Long Range | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 19.1p |
| Standard Range Plus | 125 kW | 20 minutes | 19.1p |
| Long Range Pilot | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 19.1p |
| Long Range AWD | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 21.5p |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 125 kW | 20 minutes | 19.1p |
| Long Range Plus | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 19.1p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 21.5p |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 19.1p |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 21.5p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 21.5p |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 150 kW | 21 minutes | 21.5p |
Performance
The Polestar 2, like all pure electric cars, has its wheels turned by one or more electric motors. The motors themselves are powered by a lithium-ion battery. Battery + electric motor is a great combination, giving you instant torque with no gears to change.
You’ll find the Polestar 2 eerily quiet after an internal combustion engine. Here are the performance stats:
| Trim / Variant | Top Speed | 0-62 mph |
| Standard Range | 100 mph | 7.4 seconds |
| Standard Range Pilot | 100 mph | 7.4 seconds |
| Long Range | 100 mph | 7.4 seconds |
| Standard Range Plus | 100 mph | 7.4 seconds |
| Long Range Pilot | 100 mph | 7.4 seconds |
| Long Range AWD | 127 mph | 4.7 seconds |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 100 mph | 7.4 seconds |
| Long Range Plus | 100 mph | 7.4 seconds |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 127 mph | 4.7 seconds |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 100 mph | 7.4 seconds |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 127 mph | 4.7 seconds |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 127 mph | 4.7 seconds |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 127 mph | 4.7 seconds |
Boot Space & Cargo Volume
| Trim / Variant | Boot Space | Cargo Volume (seats down) |
| Standard Range | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Standard Range Pilot | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Long Range | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Standard Range Plus | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Long Range Pilot | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Long Range AWD | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Long Range Plus | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 440 litres | 1,095 litres |
Dimensions
| Trim / Variant | Length | Width | Height |
| Standard Range | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Standard Range Pilot | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Long Range | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Standard Range Plus | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Long Range Pilot | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Long Range AWD | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Standard Range Pilot Plus | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Long Range Plus | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Long Range AWD Pilot | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Long Range Pilot Plus | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Long Range AWD Plus | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
| Long Range AWD Pilot Plus Performance | 4606 mm | 1859 mm | 1479 mm |
Next Steps
We hope you’ve enjoyed this brief analysis of the Polestar 2. We’ve focussed mainly on potentially unfamiliar electric car related items, such as batteries, range and charging.
Where to next?
- Narrow down your EV search in a systematic way using our Car Selector tool
- Read more about the Polestar 2 at Polestar’s UK website
- If you’re ready to go, consider leasing the Polestar 2 from a low-cost broker
