REVIEW | Polestar 2 - Still want that Tesla?
An ever changing motoring world
Never go back. That’s what folk always said to me when I first started venturing abroad for a holiday. Once you’ve been somewhere, don’t go back because you’ll be disappointed. Try somewhere new.
What a load of tosh. I’ve been going to the same place in Majorca in the centre of Palma for six years and love it because my family and I hit the ground running as soon as we’re off the plane. My wife’s prickly heat rash develops within seconds…some things never change.
It is the total opposite of the motoring world which never seems to stand still.
Polestar 2 is back
Take this Polestar 2 for example.
It’s two years since we first made our acquaintance with the Polestar 2 but it’s been given a raft of updates since then, so I thought I’d go back to see if those changes have affected what is one of our favourite family-sized electric cars. Put it this way, if you are considering going down the battery-powered route, then make sure you give the Polestar 2 a whirl. It ain’t the cheapest, but it’s one of the best.
Exterior colour changes
The exterior appearance has slightly changed and seen the introduction of some new colours, with the black mesh grille replaced by a colour-coded blank grille. There are also some new alloys. And that’s it, which is fine by me because I reckon this Polestar 2 is a bit of a looker in an understated way.
Options, prices and ranges
You can get various levels of power and performance in the Polestar 2. There are standard and long-range versions - single and dual motor. And there’s even a Performance Pack model.
The entry-level model (single motor, standard range, rear drive) develops 268bhp and has a potential range of 343 miles. 0-60mph takes 6.2 seconds. Price is £42,950 (Feb 25). This price includes a £2k seasonal discount, so check with a dealer to see whether it still applies.
Next up is the long-range version which now manages a seriously useful 408 miles. Power climbs to 299 bhp, while its 0-60mph time drops to 5.9 seconds.
If you want to scare the life out of other drivers, head for the dual motor, all-wheel drive Polestar 2 which develops 416 bhp and can hit 60 mph from standstill in 4.3 seconds. Its range is 369 miles.
And then finally, there’s the dual motor version with a Performance Pack which gives you 469 bhp and a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds, although you take a hit in terms of range which drops slightly to 352 miles.
Speed, charging times and driving experience
All have the same top speed of 127mph. If you use a rapid charger, you’ll go from 10-80 per cent charge in 23 minutes, which is seriously good and will make the switch to electric motoring more attractive to drivers. I managed a round trip of 320 miles before needing to stop for two reasons - the car needed charging and the urgent need for a ‘comfort’ break.
The performance figures of the dual motor cars are eye-catching, but for most of you, the entry-level model will be perfect. There’s sufficient power to dart through traffic while overtaking is a doddle. I’d recommend the long range model which ups the price to £46,950 (with discount). It’s seriously worth the extra outlay.
Out on the road, the Polestar is fun to drive. Granted, the ride is a tad on the firm side at town speeds, but once you get moving it settles nicely. The one-pedal driving facility works well.
Top quality interior
The interior has a genuine look and feel of quality, much better than the Tesla. Everything is dominated by the iPad sized centre screen, which looks good and works well. Polestar even uses Google Maps for navigation, so type in your destination and it’ll instantly calculate your total distance and how much charge you’ll have remaining. If you need a top-up, it’ll give you choices. The ‘Hey Google’ voice assistant was pretty good too.
The seats are comfy and there’s plenty of room in the back. As for any options, I’d pay an extra £900 for the Climate Pack. This now includes a heat pump, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel and heating for the washer fluid nozzles.
‘One of the best electric family cars around’
Overall, the Polestar 2 continues to be one of the best electric family cars around. Stick with one of the lesser powered versions and you’ll still have sufficient performance with a good range and top notch build quality. It looks good too. There are now a couple of other options in the Polestar range which I’ll be trying shortly here on Driven in the form of the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4. The Swedish brand is certainly providing an ample amount of choice in the luxury SUV sector.
Was it worth going back for another visit to the latest Polestar 2? You bet.
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Polestar
