Polestar 2 Review
Read Caroline's Polestar 2 review for everything you need to know about buying the new electric car from Polestar in Ireland.
Polestar is one of Ireland's newest car brands, which launched here earlier in 2022. The first car to market here is of course the Polestar 2, a Tesla Model 3 rivalling premium electric car.
Since July, the brand has already registered over 100 new cars here, but expect that to rise quickly with the opening of their first retail location in Ireland in Sandyford, Dublin. Called 'Polestar Space', it's where prospective buyers can view the car and take it for a test drive before starting the online process of buying the car.
The new Polestar 2 goes on sale in Ireland priced from €51,135 after the SEAI grant is applied. There's a choice of standard range and long range batteries, and single and dual motor versions.
What's so special about the Polestar 2?
Polestar was established as a new, standalone Swedish premium electric vehicle manufacturer in 2017. Founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding, Polestar cars share technology and engineering with Volvo Cars.
That's good provenance but the most striking thing about the Polestar 2 is surely its design. For the brand's first mass production electric car, Polestar has created a stylish sedan-style vehicle but with some of the more fashionable design cues of this era - without turning it into an SUV.
The Polestar's compact proportions give it grace and elegance, while the raised ride height and more rugged styling features like cladding around the wheel arches and sills give it more presence than your average hatchback. There's a tasteful palette of neutral shades to go with it.
The Volvo family DNA is indeed evident in the design - see those confident lines and upright front grille and rear - but with the prestigious stamp of the new Polestar brand.
Polestar is cool, no doubts. Their enigmatic logo appears in various places around the outside and inside of the car. At the back a full width light bar gives the car its own characteristic style.
19-inch wheels, signature LED light designs front and rear and frameless mirrors make all variants largely indistinguishable from each other.
All in all, it's a cool Scandi alternative to the likes of the Tesla Model 3, BMW i4, Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Inside the Polestar 2
For anyone familiar with the latest Volvos, the interior of the new Polestar 2 will feel quite familiar. But the design of the Polestar 2 means it feels sportier behind the wheel. The cabin is cosy with quite a high centre console, which enhances the sporty vibe. It feels well made with some nice sustainable materials used also.
The steering wheel bears the Polestar emblem, which also appears in what we think might be the world's most beautiful gear selector! There's a full digital driver display and portrait style touchscreen that's also used in the latest generation Volvo cars. The touchscreen uses a Google operating system - it was the first car in the world to do so. It's a very nice system to use with in-built Google maps and services.
Other standard features include a premium stereo with 8 speakers, front- and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. There are a number of packs that add more equipment.
The Polestar 2 will seat five but it's fair to say that two will be most comfortable in the back. There is a prominent centre tunnel, which gives the car the feel of an elite sports sedan, but eats into legroom. A Tesla Model 3 feels a bit more spacious inside - but not by much.
The boot is a practical hatchback-style opening and offers 405 litres, which is on par with a lot of family hatchbacks and small SUVs. There’s a handy divider that is easy to slide up from the boot floor to separate items. A powered tailgate comes as standard.
Polestar has also include a 41 litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet, which is handy for storing the charging cables.
Driving the Polestar 2
The new Polestar 2 is based on Volvo Car Group’s adaptable Compact Modular Architecture platform (CMA), which is also used by the Volvo XC40 and Volvo C40. It shares the same batteries - 69kWh or 78kWh. The best for range is the single motor version with the 78kWh long range battery, with up to 551 kilometres (WLTP) possible (from €56,135).
On test was the Polestar 2 with 78kWh, long range battery and dual motors. It is the most expensive of the range (from €63,850), but offers the best performance of the range with a whopping 408hp and the 0-100 kmh sprint completed in just 4.7 seconds. The projected range is up to 487 kilometres (WLTP).
But the performance of single motor versions is hardly shabby with both offering 231hp and the 0-100 kmh sprint in 7.4 seconds.
The Polestar 2 feels neat and agile on the road, offering a high-end driving experience behind the wheel. It cruises effortlessly at high speeds on the motorway. The ride is good on these smooth road surfaces, though it can feel a bit firm over any bumps or imperfections in the road surface.
All the controls are nicely weighted so it feels natural to drive. One pedal driving is possible, which means the car will gently come to a stop when you lift off the accelerator without having to touch the brake.
You can also adjust the steering feel but it's not quite as entertaining to drive as a BMW i4 or as outright 'fast' as a Tesla Model 3. Still, it's a balanced drive that leaves little to complain about.
Polestar 2 comes equipped with an 11 kW onboard charger, which gives more flexibility in AC charging. DC fast charging is available up to 150 kW, for an 80% charge in 35 minutes. It will take about 11 hours to charge the Polestar 2 at 7 kW from a wallbox installed at home for example.
Did you like it?
The Polestar 2 is one of the most anticipated new cars of 2022 and it doesn't disappoint. It's a very welcome addition to the market, offering a slick design and clever cabin, long range and fast charging. That makes it impossible to ignore for buyers looking for one of the best electric cars on sale at the moment.
Some are a bit more spacious or a bit more fun to drive, but the Polestar is a brand you buy into because you like they way they design cars and how they sell them too.
Single motor versions look like the best value and provide adequate performance, though of course dual motor acceleration is fun! But it's the sophistication of this car's cruising ability and cabin refinement that make it a stylish and capable executive car.
If you sit in and love the cabin of this car, that's probably enough already.
Welcome Polestar!
Model tested: Polestar 2 long range, dual motor
Price: €63,850
Battery: 78 kWh
Range: 487 km (WLTP)
Power: 408hp
Torque: 660Nm
Top speed: 205 km/h
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 4.7 seconds
Motor Tax: €120 per year
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Polestar 2 Review (2022)
Read Caroline’s Polestar 2 review for everything you need to know about the brand's new premium electric car in Ireland.
Polestar is the latest brand to enter the Irish new car market. Their first car to market here is the Polestar 2. I went to the Irish press launch in Dublin to find out more about the brand's new electric car and drive it for the first time.
The new Polestar 2 goes on sale in Ireland priced from €49,500, including the grant from the SEAI. It will be available in three variants: dual- and single-motor powertrains with long- and standard-range battery options.
Polestar was established as a new, standalone Swedish premium electric vehicle manufacturer in 2017. Founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding, Polestar cars share technology and engineering with Volvo Cars.
The new Polestar 2 will be available to order online soon and the first customer cars are expected to arrive in Ireland in June.
Styling
The Polestar 2 is pitched as an 'electric performance fastback'. It has the practicality of a hatchback combined with the elevated ride height and attitude of a crossover. The design is solid and minimalist. The enigmatic Polestar emblem will not be immediately recognisable on Irish roads for some time. This new model from Polestar will enter a competitive segment populated already by such cars as the Tesla Model 3, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, BMW i4, Kia EV6 and the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Polestar 2 is new and interesting enough to command attention in this company with its elegant and refined good looks - without being a show off. A subtle colour palette fits perfectly to that end. 19-inch wheels, signature LED light designs front and rear, and Polestar’s signature frameless mirrors, make all variants largely indistinguishable from eachother.
Interior
Inside, the Polestar 2 delivers on the car's premium billing. It's a cool, minimalist design but with plenty of soft touch materials and just enough apparel to give it personality and atmosphere. From the driver's seat, the high centre console offers a snug and sporty feel from behind the wheel. The centre console itself remains uncluttered with the most striking feature being a beautifully designed drive selector with the Polestar emblem. Built in China, the material quality is just beautiful throughout giving the car the premium finish customers deserve at this price point.
The driver gets a full digital instrument cluster, while an 11" portrait style touchscreen controls takes centre stage. It's easy to use and switch between menus. The Polestar 2 was the first car in the world to feature Google built-in through the car’s Android Automotive OS infotainment system – including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store. It responds to voice commands with high accuracy and is a delight to use.
Practicality
The Polestar 2 has five doors and seating for five with a hatchback-style opening boot. In the rear there is a prominent centre tunnel, which gives the car the feel of an elite sports sedan. But it means that two people will be most comfortable back there. Still they get large footwells and a central armrest. Headroom is okay, even with a panoramic glass roof fitted.
The boot opens like a hatchback to reveal 405 litres, giving decent volume and access. There's a handy divider that is easy to slide up from the boot floor to separate items. A powered tailgate comes as standard. Under the bonnet there is a 41 litre 'frunk' for storing charging cables for example.
Battery, Power and Range
In Ireland, the Polestar 2 model range will include three versions, offering a mix of performance and range.
The Standard range, single motor version is front wheel drive and features a 231 hp / 330 Nm electric motor and a 69 kWh battery pack, giving a WLTP range of up to 474 km. This model is priced at €49,500.
The Long range, single motor version is front wheel drive and increases battery size to 78 kWh, with a corresponding jump in WLTP range of up to 542 km. This model is priced from €53,245, where the SEAI grant applies.
The Long range, dual motor variant is all wheel drive and has the best performance of the range. It has two electric motors and the same 78 kWh battery, with a total power output of 408 hp and 660 Nm, and 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. The WLTP range is up to 482 km. This model is priced at €61,900.
Charging
Polestar 2 comes equipped with an 11 kW onboard charger, which gives more flexibility in AC charging. DC fast charging is available up to 150 kW, for an 80% charge in 35 minutes. It will take about 11 hours to charge the Polestar 2 at 7 kW from a wallbox installed at home for example.
On the road
The new Polestar 2 is based on Volvo Car Group’s adaptable Compact Modular Architecture platform (CMA), which is also used by the Volvo XC40. The battery pack is integrated into the floor and contributes to the rigidity of the chassis as well as improves the car’s noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels. The brand says road noise has been reduced by 3.7 dB compared to a traditional chassis.
The Polestar 2 moves over the tarmac effortlessly, with a well-judged ride and a modulated throttle pedal giving a superb natural feeling to this car. Refinement is good on the move with very little noise from the electric motor entering the cabin. It's easy to drive the car smoothly, as intended. One pedal driving is possible, which means the car will gently come to a stop when you lift off the accelerator without having to touch the brake. You can also adjust the steering feel. It handles country roads very well, behaving in an agile and predictable way.
I was driving the Polestar 2 Long Range, single motor version. This model is front wheel drive. On sitting into the car, the range on the dashboard indicated 440 km at 100% charge of the 78 kWh battery. With 231 hp, it feels lively on the road when you want it, with 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.4 seconds.
Equipment
Standard equipment is generous including 19" alloys, 11" touchscreen, 12.3 digital instrument cluster, premium stereo with 8 speakers, front- and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.
There are three optional packages – Pilot, Plus and Performance - adding more equipment.
The Pilot Pack includes enhanced safety and driver assistance features, such as Pixel LED headlights, LED front fog lights, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pilot Assist, a 360-degree surround view camera, all-round parking sensors, Blind Spot Information System with steering support, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support, and Rear Collision Warning.
The Plus Pack adds a full-length panoramic glass roof, premium Harman Kardon audio system with 13 speakers, WeaveTech upholstery, Black Ash deco panels, fully-electric heated front seats with memory, heated rear seats, steering wheel and wiper blades, and a new heat pump.
The Performance Pack is available for the Long range, dual motor model only and adds manually adjustable Öhlins Dual Flow Valve dampers, 4-piston Brembo brakes, forged alloy wheels and Polestar’s signature gold detailing inside and out.
Other options include ventilated Nappa leather upholstery, metallic paint, 20-inch alloy wheels and a semi-electric folding tow bar.
Anything else?
Buying a Polestar car is a slightly different model to going to the traditional dealership. The cars are purchased online through a 100% digital process.
But there will be a Polestar retail store 'Polestar Destination' opening in Sandyford, Dublin, later in 2022. The idea is to allow consumers to interact physically with the brand, meeting with Polestar Specialists to explore the car in more detail, including test drives.
In terms of servicing, this can place in the workshops of the already well-established Volvo dealer network around Ireland.
Consumer test drives will start with a four week roadshow in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork and Galway, from 9th May.
Summary
The Polestar 2 arrives in Ireland and should cause a stir in a market that has never been so receptive to electric vehicles - and premium ones at that.
The brand has plans to launch more models, including new SUVs which will no doubt broaden the brand's appeal even more.
This is a mighty fine car on first impressions that delivers a long range, wonderful cabin and premium driving experience.
The brand may be a mysterious presence on Irish roads for a while as it gains momentum here, but there is something reassuringly familiar and conventional about this car too that really appeals.
The Polestar 2 will soon be available to order here from the Polestar Ireland website.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes
Polestar 2 Arrives In Ireland!
Polestar, the Swedish premium electric performance brand, has arrived in Ireland. The brand's first model to officially go on sale here is the new Polestar 2. Styled as an electric performance fastback, pricing for the new Polestar 2 will start from €54,500 in Ireland.
Polestar 2 is said to bring avant-garde design and a unique ownership experience to the premium compact electric segment. First launched internationally in 2020, it was the first car in the world to feature Google built-in through the car's Android Automotive OS infotainment system – including the Google Assistant, Google Maps with support for electric vehicles and the Google Play Store. An 11-inch touch screen display brings the new interface to life, with natural voice control.
Polestar 2 battery and range
In Ireland, the Polestar 2 model range will include three versions, offering a mix of performance and range.
The Standard range Single motor version will feature a 231 hp / 330 Nm electric motor and a 69 kWh battery pack good for a WLTP range of up to 474 km.
The Long range Single motor will increase battery size to 78 kWh with a corresponding jump in its WLTP range of up to 542 km.
he Long range Dual motor variant has two electric motors and the same 78 kWh battery, with a total output of 408 hp and 660 Nm, with a WLTP range of up to 482 km.
Buying Polestar in Ireland
Polestar cars are purchased online through a simplified, 100% digital process, which is complemented by physical retail locations known around the world as Polestar Spaces and Polestar Destinations.
These bespoke retail environments allow consumers to interact physically with the brand, meeting with Polestar Specialists to explore the car in more detail, including test drives.
The first Polestar Destination in Ireland is planned to open to the public in Dublin later in 2022.
In the meantime, the Polestar 2 will soon be available to order here from the Polestar Ireland website.
Consumer test drives will start with a four week roadshow in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork and Galway, from 9th May.
Kieran Campbell, Market Lead for Polestar Ireland, said:
“It’s clear there’s huge appetite for new premium electric cars here in Ireland, so the arrival of Polestar couldn’t be better-timed. With its avant-garde styling, advanced technology and impressive sustainability credentials, Polestar 2 is the perfect car for Ireland’s transition to electric vehicles.”
Jonathan Goodman, Polestar’s Head of Global Communications and Polestar UK, said:
“We’re excited to bring Polestar to Ireland. As we continue our rapid and global roll out of the Polestar brand, Ireland was the logical next step in our plans. We’re proud to offer an exciting and advanced EV in the premium segment here.
Anything else?
Polestar was established as a new, standalone Swedish premium electric vehicle manufacturer in 2017. Founded by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding, Polestar cars share technology and engineering with Volvo Cars.
The Polestar 2 electric performance fastback is the company’s first fully electric, high volume car. The Polestar 1 was built between 2019 and 2021 as a low-volume electric performance hybrid GT with a carbon fibre body, 609 hp, 1,000 Nm and an electric-only range of 124 km (WLTP) – the longest of any hybrid car in the world.
Polestar is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. The brand's cars are currently available in markets across Europe, North America, China and Asia Pacific. They are currently manufactured in two facilities in China, with additional future manufacturing planned in the USA.
From 2022, Polestar plans to launch one new electric vehicle per year, starting with Polestar 3 – the company’s first electric performance SUV.
Polestar 4 is expected to follow in 2023, a smaller electric performance SUV coupe.
In 2024, the Polestar 5 electric performance 4-door GT is planned to be launched as the production evolution of Polestar Precept – the manifesto concept car that Polestar released in 2020 that showcases the brand’s future vision in terms of design, technology, and sustainability.
