Polestar 2 Business Edition Review | The Best EV Under €40k in Ireland?

Read Caroline’s Polestar 2 Business Edition review for everything you need to know about buying Polestar’s stylish electric car in Ireland.

Polestar made its Irish debut back in 2022 and the first model to market here was the Polestar 2, a Tesla Model 3 rivalling electric car. Since then the brand has expanded its line up to include the Polestar 3, Polestar 4 and soon-to-arrive Polestar 5. 

The Polestar 2 has also had a number of improvements to design, battery, charging and range that keep it competitive against a growing backdrop of rivals like the Tesla Model 3 and the Hyundai Ioniq 6.

In this review I take a closer look at the Polestar 2 Business Edition, which is the entry into the range in Ireland, priced at €39,897. It uses a standard range battery and offers up to 554 kilometres of range (WLTP).

Polestar 2 Business Edition Design

The Polestar 2 has been facelifted in the four years it’s been on sale in Ireland. Most of the visual updates appear at the front with a new panel dubbed the ‘SmartZone’ giving a sleek, modern look in line with the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4. This update is also functional, hiding the camera and radar for driver assistance features.

Even in the entry-level for Ireland – the so-called ‘Business Edition’ – the Polestar 2 looks pleasingly premium. The understated design stands out from other electric car rivals like the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal.

At the back, a stylish light bar gives a distinct look. Standard features include 19-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels and LED headlights. The clever design also includes a front storage compartment for charging cables.

Vapour grey seen here is the standard colour so is included in the price, though you can upgrade to a different paint finish.

Polestar 2 Business Edition Interior

The Polestar 2 manages to feel markedly different to its rivals inside as well. The simple, minimalist design has aged well, but the design of the centre console makes the cabin feel more cramped than rivals like the Model 3 that feature more open space between driver and passenger.

The material quality is good inside, with a distinct Scandi-cool vibe. However, the fabric seats in the Business Edition don’t feel quite as premium as the leather finishes in upgraded models. Still it’s a small compromise in what is a well-priced car and the seats are still comfortable and supportive for long journeys.

The portrait-style touchscreen won’t overpower you with menus and functionality, but it is elegant in its simplicity. It also comes with in-built Google, which makes journey planning in an EV very simple.

Other standard features include heated front seats with power adjustment for the seat base and a memory feature. There’s no glass roof but the Polestar 2 Business Edition doesn’t suffer from this omission.

Practicality 

One advantage the Polestar 2 has over its rivals is its hatchback-style opening boot, which makes access to its 407 litres much easier. It also has deep underfloor storage, shopping bag hooks, 12-volt socket and a powered tailgate.

Rear passenger space is adequate, though some competitors offer a little more room. The large transmission tunnel means the middle seat will be less comfortable for a third passenger. However there are Isofix child seat fixtures on the two outer seats and as a bonus, on the front passenger seat too.

Driving the Polestar 2 Business Edition

The 2024 update introduced a new rear wheel drive layout for single motor versions, which improved range and efficiency. The 2026 Polestar 2 Business Edition uses the standard range 70kWh battery (67kWh usable) with up to 554 kilometres (WLTP) range, which compares well with the entry-level, rear wheel drive version of the Model 3.

The rear wheel drive layout has definitely improved efficiency over earlier models. Real world range was between 430-450 kilometres during my time with the car, which felt like enough. If you are nervous about range, stepping up to the long range battery will get you up to 659 kilometres (WLTP).

On the road the Polestar 2 delivers a refined and premium driving experience. Given Polestar’s performance positioning, it does ride firmly but the setup never feels overly harsh and there’s loads of grip making it enjoyable to drive through bends. A single motor powers the rear wheels for a total power output of 272hp in the Business Edition. It’s the ‘slowest’ of the range but can still sprint 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds. It doesn’t feel quite as nimble off the line as a Model 3, but still delivers smooth performance.

Buyers looking for stronger performance can opt for one of the dual motor versions, which offer significantly quicker acceleration. But for most it won’t be worth the extra spend.

Charging 

11kW charging is included as standard, while up to 180kW DC fast charging means a 10-80% charge in 26 minutes for the standard range battery.

Polestar 2 Business Edition Pricing

The Polestar 2 Business Edition is priced at €39,897 in Ireland, marking the entry point into the range.

Polestar 2 Business Edition Pros/Cons

Pros

• Upmarket cabin
• Classy design
• Refined driving experience
• Efficiency
• Fast charging speeds

Cons

• Passenger space trails rivals
• Firmish ride quality
• Fabric seats feel a bit cheap

Verdict

With more electric cars on the market than ever before, buyers with a €40,000 budget now have plenty of choice. The Polestar 2 Business Edition makes some compromises to range and equipment levels but still manages to shine for its clean Scandinavian design.

It feels more upmarket than many similarly priced electric cars and is good to drive too. In real world driving, the rear wheel drive layout gives it a pleasant efficiency boost that makes it an easy car to live with.

While rear passenger space and ride comfort trail some rivals, it remains a stylish and well-rounded electric hatchback that’s easy to live with.

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Written by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year