Polestar 2 review: stylish sedan takes on Tesla

There’s a price war brewing in the electric vehicle market, which is great news for buyers. This stylish, long-range sedan makes a compelling case.

The new rear-wheel drive Polestar has improved range and performance but can it challenge the all-conquering Tesla Model 3?

VALUE

The new Polestar 2 is a welcome improvement on an already good EV. Official prices are up about $3000, but current discounts nullify these.

For about $67,000 you can drive away in a Single Motor Standard Range (532km), while our test car with Long Range (654km) is about $68,500 on the road. A long-range dual motor (591km) costs roughly $71,000 drive-away, a $10,000 discount.

All share the same features, so simply pick the battery size and number of motors suiting your needs.

The Polestar 2 is well priced and stylish. Picture: Supplied.

Our rear-drive Long Range is normally the sweet spot, but the discounted dual-motor will tempt performance fans. It has 310kW/740Nm and does 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds; while ours has 220kW/490Nm, is 1.7 seconds slower to 100km/h, but has 63km more range.

Standard are 19-inch alloys, a large vertical infotainment screen, excellent digital driver display, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control and a power tailgate. Bewilderingly, you have to pay $3500 extra for the “Pilot” pack that includes radar cruise control.

The Polestar comes with free services for five years. Picture: Supplied.

The Tesla Model 3 RWD costs about a grand less, but the Polestar’s better looking and has slightly more range. There’s a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with free services for five years, plus a home charging cable.

A 7.4kW wallbox including installation costs $2750.

COMFORT

It’s minimalist inside, but the cabin oozes classy Scandinavian vibes. It feels better engineered and more user-friendly than the Tesla.

The cloth seats, which are heated in the front, feel durable and comfy. The cabin touch points – especially the hexagonal gear shifter – are generally lovely.

The exception is the recycled-material door armrests, which feel too thin and attract shedded elbow skin. Storage space is also a bit stingy.

It’s roomy up front, but rear passengers have it tougher. It’s a squeeze getting through the narrow-opening rear doors, head and leg room’s tight, the seat backs are too upright and the aircon struggles on hot days.

The interior is typical Scandanavian minimalist. Picture: Supplied.

The boot’s only average but a frunk adds another small space up front.

It can’t match a Model 3’s entertainment, but there’s wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Google Play Store access with YouTube, Prime Video and a highly addictive Beach Buggy Racing game.

A $6000 “Plus Pack” adds a panoramic sunroof (criminally with no shade), Harman Kardon audio and fancier trim. True luxe comes with $6000 ventilated Nappa upholstery.

SAFETY

There’s auto emergency braking, blind-spot and lane-keep assist, cross-traffic alert, speed sign info and a 360-degree camera.

The 2 scored a 5-Star ANCAP safety rating, including impressive 92 per cent adult occupant protection – more than a BYD Seal (89 per cent) but less than a Hyundai Ioniq 6 (97 per cent).

DRIVING

The fastback sedan Polestar’s an antidote to Australia’s SUV “carbesity” crisis. This 2 is chunky yet sleek with a driver-friendly low centre of gravity.

The shift to rear-drive means a more involving drive than before. Instant torque gives assured if not rapid performance and it feels reasonably communicative in corners.

The shift to rear-drive delivers a more involving drive than before. Picture: Supplied.

Michelin tyres keep road noise muted but aren’t the best in the wet. It’ll cruise comfortably on highways and is easy to drive smoothly. The ride in town is less polished, the suspension crashing harshly on poor surfaces.

Steering feel and regenerative braking are adjusted through the screen and the latter can be very strong, allowing you to drive without touching the brake pedal.

Efficient 14.8kWh/100km energy use helps deliver that massive range, while it’ll charge at a rapid 205kW. Public DC charging gets the battery from 10-80 per cent in 28 minutes.

ALTERNATIVES

Tesla Model 3 RWD, About $66,000 drive-away: Fast, 513km range, efficient, tech-filled and Tesla’s Supercharger network are positives, but it looks funny and you’re joining a very large herd.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 2WD, about $69,000 drive-away: Smart interior, roomy back seat and ultra fast charging, but only 429km range. Better driving manners than the Polestar, but streamlined looks are polarising.

BYD Seal, about $63,000 drive-away: Sharply-priced Chinese with 570km range, generous inclusions and decent performance. Annoying driver assist tech and less than perfect body control let it down.

The Polestar 2 is a more attractive design than the Tesla Model 2. Picture: Supplied.

POLESTAR 2

PRICE: About $68,500 drive-away (current offer)

MOTOR: Single electric, 220kW/490Nm, 82kWh battery

WARRANTY/SERVICING: Five years/unlimited km, five years free servicing

SAFETY: Eight airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot and lane-keep assist, cross-traffic alert, speed-sign recognition and 360-degree surround view camera

THIRST: 14.8kWh/100km (WLTP)

LUGGAGE: 407 litres

CHARGING: 205kW

SPARE: Repair kit

VERDICT

Four stars

A class act offering an impressive EV drive experience. Style and current discounted prices boost its case against a Tesla Model 3.

Originally published as Polestar 2 review: stylish sedan takes on Tesla