2021 Polestar 2 Preview
Last week, we managed to get behind the wheel of the Polestar 2, another challenger to Tesla’s popular Model 3. Most car enthusiasts are familiar with Polestar as the performance variants of mainstream Volvo vehicles. Now however, Polestar is a dedicated electric performance brand and the Polestar 2 is the first big mainstream push from the brand. Starting at $59,900 but offering much more features (both standard and optional) than a Model 3, the Polestar 2 aims to establish itself in the compact upscale electric vehicle market, currently dominated by Tesla.
Notably, the Polestar 2 comes with a lot of performance as standard. With two onboard electric motors, the powertrain can generate up to 408 horsepower, making the Polestar capable of traveling from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. In addition, it has a top speed of 125 miles per hour and is capable of covering up to 291 miles on a full charge. Options include a Nappa leather interior ($4,000) as well as the Performance pack, which brings adjustable dampers, uprated Brembo front brakes, 20-inch lightweight forged aluminum wheels with performance tires, and a high-gloss black roof panel along with gold seatbelts.
Standard equipment on the Polestar 2 includes WeaveTech interior textiles, which uses a high amount of recycled materials and is entirely vegan, all-LED headlights and taillights, a 600-watt 13-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, as well as the first embedded use of the Android Automotive operating system. Another welcome standard feature is Pilot Assist, which provides acceleration, braking and steering support on clearly marked roads at speeds up to 80 miles per hour while working in tandem with the adaptive cruise control system.
As the Polestar brand is still a representation of Volvo, there are important standard safety features such as the first application of inner-side airbags, which deploy from the inner sides of the front seats to better protect the driver and front passenger during a crash, rear collision warning, as well as Run-Off-Road Mitigation, a system that continuously scans the road ahead and automatically tightens the front safety belts to protect against a potential run-off scenario.
During our short drive of the Polestar 2 on the winding roads of Northern California, we really liked the handling despite our test vehicle not having the Performance pack. Furthermore, the acceleration was another high point, ensuring that the Polestar 2 has no trouble merging onto the highway. In addition, the vehicle has an all-vegan interior (as long as customers don’t opt for Nappa leather) which provides plenty of comfort. Since we’re familiar with Android phones, the intuitiveness of the infotainment system was a welcome surprise and it pairs easily with the apps on smartphones, providing Google Assistant support and access to the Google Play app store. There are a 12.3-inch driver instrument panel and 11.15-inch center infotainment displays, ensuring that information is readily accessible.
After our time with the Polestar 2, we think it provides a viable option for those looking for a premium-oriented electric vehicle that stands out in the parking lot. In addition, the Polestar 2 offers a high amount of performance and options for its price, which sets it apart from other EVs. Ultimately, we think should try out the Polestar 2 and discover how much fun and intuitiveness can come from the modern EV market.
