2024 Polestar 2 review (video)

The 2024 Polestar 2 looks like a smart, handsome EV that appears to be equipped with just the right amount of tech presented in a fashion that doesn’t make it feel – or look – like a spaceship.

Can the Polestar 2 entice people away from the Tesla Model 3 and its strong sales over the past couple of years? Well, the latest update brings in better tech and a revised driveline, both of which make the Polestar 2 more desirable than the previous generation.

In Australia there is, at least to this reviewer, an issue with charging. Now, you don’t need to be super savvy with tech to understand it all, but you kind of do. And as EVs become more and more frequent on our roads we will get used to them, but you need to fully understand what you’re committing to when you buy an EV.

Some of the potential complications include having several apps on your phone so you can link the different charger stations with your car, understanding that sometimes chargers are not placed where it’s convenient (unlike petrol stations which are everywhere), and it does take a while to pump a decent amount of charge in. It’s also not as cheap to recharge as people gossip about, there will be waiting lines at chargers in peak times, and if you use things like air-conditioning and have even a slightly heavy foot range anxiety can become a real issue.

Now, with all that considered, this review is based on the fact you understand and accept those things. We faced several challenges with some of the mentioned issues above but that however does not take away from the Polestar 2 itself.

2024 Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor: Specifications

Battery: 82kWh lithium-ion 400V battery
Motor output: 220kW / 490Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: Rear-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×9.0, 245/45
ANCAP: Five stars
Kerb weight: 2009kg
Power-to-weight: 9.13:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (WLTP): 654km
Max charging AC/DC: 11kW/205kW

0-60km/h: 3.15 seconds*
0-100km/h: 6.00 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.79 seconds*
1/4 mile: 14.39 seconds at 160.5km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.751g*
100-0km/h braking: 38.78m in 2.97 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.201g*
Starting price: $71,400

2024 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Performance: Specifications

Battery: 82kWh lithium-ion 400V battery
Motor output: 350kW / 740Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 20×9.0, 245/40
ANCAP: Five stars
Kerb weight: 2108kg
Power-to-weight: 6.02:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (WLTP): 568km
Max charging AC/DC: 11kW/205kW

0-60km/h: 2.26 seconds*
0-100km/h: 4.26 seconds*
60-110km/h: 2.69 seconds*
1/4 mile: 12.76 seconds at 175.1km/h*
Max acceleration: 1.036g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.98m in 2.99 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.430g*
Starting price: $76,400 (+$9000 for Performance)

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Polestar 2: How much does it cost?

The Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor at $61,272 sits slightly cheaper than the equivalent Tesla Model 3 at $61,900, while the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor from $70,272 is also priced just short of the Tesla Model 3 Dual-Motor Long Range at $70,900.

This goes to show how much these two models are fighting for customers – price point can mean everything in a tight market.

Four models of the 2024 Polestar 2 are available, and prices start from the following (excluding on-road costs):

• Standard Range Single Motor, 518km range, 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds: $67,400
• Long Range Single Motor, 654km range, 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds: $71,400
• Long Range Dual Motor, 591km range, 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds: $76,400
• Long Range Dual Motor + Performance pack, 568km range, 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds: $85,400

For this review we’re test driving the Long Range Single Motor, as well as the top-spec Dual Motor AWD with the Performance Pack options.

Comprehensive warranty coverage includes a five-year/unlimited kilometres and roadside assistance, alongside an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.

2024 Polestar 2: Interior & packaging

The Polestar 2 received several upgrades to its interior for 2024, enhancing both functionality and style. The interior fit and finish is immaculate, let’s get that straight from the get go. You sit in a seat that feels like it was made perfectly for you no matter your size (I’m 6’4, 130kg). The steering wheel falls right at your lap, as does the huge screen that’ll become your best friend.

Standard features for the 2024 model now include (across all models) a wireless phone charger, 360-degree camera, parking assistance, blind-spot monitoring with steering aid, rear collision alerts and prevention systems, and auto-dimming mirrors for improved night driving.

Featured in the Long Range Single Motor variant are 19-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with Michelin tires, LED headlights, privacy-enhanced tinted rear windows, environmentally friendly WeaveTech fabric seats, dual-zone climate control, and a 12.3-inch digital dashboard display.

Notably, the exterior showcases new wheel designs and a redesigned front end known as the ‘SmartZone’ which is now colour-matched to the body – different to the previous model.

For those looking for more luxury and functionality, Polestar offers various optional packages. The ‘vegan’ Nappa leather package includes ventilated front seats for $6000, while $1400 can add larger 20-inch alloy wheels. A semi-electric tow hitch capable of handling up to 1500kg is available for $2850.

The Pilot Pack, costing an additional $3500 (on all variants), provides Pixel LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, Pilot Assist, LED fog lights that adapt to cornering, and an emergency stop assist feature to safeguard against driver unresponsiveness. This pack, we feel, should really come as standard, especially coming from a brand that puts strong emphasis on road safety.

Enhancing comfort and convenience, the $6000 Plus Pack (featured on this test vehicle) includes a Harman Kardon 13-speaker sound system, a panoramic roof, hands-free tailgate, ambient interior lighting, power front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear seat heaters, an air quality sensor, and the Polestar Digital Key.

The Performance Pack adds bespoke orange/gold seat belts, matching multi-piston brake calipers with perforated discs, and 20-inch alloy wheels with black inner-spokes. It also adds a power boost from 310kW to 350kW for the dual-motor system, cutting the 0-100km/h claim from 4.5 seconds to 4.2 seconds.

2024 Polestar 2: Powertrain & handling

Since its launch in 2020, the Polestar 2 has seen a consistent reduction in its carbon footprint, achieving a 12% cut in CO2 emissions over three years. This has been achieved through the use of sustainable materials such as low-carbon aluminium and switching to renewable energy sources in its production processes.

The updated Polestar 2 also offers up to a 22 per cent increase in range, a reduction in energy consumption by up to 9 per cent, and a 34 per cent quicker charging capability. Oh, and the single motor versions are now rear-wheel drive. These improvements are made possible through the introduction of larger battery packs and new motor designs.

The vehicle’s Long Range Single Motor version now boasts a maximum range of 654km (WLTP), and can charge at rates up to 205kW, thanks to a new 82kWh battery. The addition of more efficient motors and tweaks to the drivetrain mean that both the single and dual motor versions deliver a more engaging and dynamic driving experience.

As mentioned above, the latest single motor version is now rear-wheel drive. After spending a week roaming around cities and country roads in NSW we can say that while it’s not transformed into a drift machine, there’s no denying its newfound attitude on the road.

Come into a corner, stomp the pedal and you feel right from the seat that the dynamics are more enjoyable. It doesn’t skid or slip, but you can feel it pushing from behind and swaying the car into and through bends.

The steering feel is more natural and it’s direct, but with a smooth feel through your hands. And there’s a nice driving position that entices you to find more bends – high window sills and low sunken seat give you sporty vibes. That doesn’t take away from the view, though. The Polestar 2 offers great viewing out all corners and its short overhangs mean you can shoot it through traffic much like a hot hatch.

To touch on performance, I’m of the opinion that all new cars go ‘really well’. I think we forget just how slow older cars were. Especially EVs, they’re all fast enough that you could break speed limits in a matter of seconds. That said, the 220kW/490Nm Polestar LR SM, with its claimed 0-100km/h of 6.2 seconds, feels super gutsy around the city to the point you’ll feel like you’re the king of traffic.

Out in more open roads it’s really decent initially but tapers off to a smooth pull rather than keeping you pinned in the seat. If you’re someone who gets range anxiety, you’ll never want to push the throttle more than half anyways. If it’s quick 0-100s you want, you need the dual-motor with the Performance Pack.

This thing is a missile. It’ll rocket from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.2 seconds. We timed it in 4.26 seconds, with the quarter mile coming up in 12.76 seconds at 175.1km/h. It feels extremely responsive off the line, and the traction is unbelievable. Keep in mind this offers 740Nm, and it’s available pretty much instantly.

And that includes going around corners. Feed in the intense power from mid-corner and it shoots around with complete confidence and precision. There is no understeer at all. It’s weird. And oversteer is not possible unless you do something really vigorous with the steering. In some ways, it is so sure-footed that it actually feels safe, or at least socially acceptable to sprint and dart around on the streets.

Obviously this is not really the case, especially since it only takes a few seconds to break the speed limit. But Polestar has done an excellent job of making this incredibly fast little sedan feel so friendly yet very confident and capable.

2024 Polestar 2: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Suave yet subtle design: It doesn’t fall (as much) to the EV way of styling as some rivals.
• Calm interior: While many EVs are overloaded with screens and futuristic shapes, this is calm and peaceful.
• Media interface: Running a full Google system, you can ask it do pretty much anything. And it’s so easy, just say ‘Hey, Google’.
• Single motor versions switch to RWD: Enough said, really.
• Price: Depending what options you’re prepared to live without, the pricing is not too bad compared with some of the over-priced EVs out there right now.

2024 Polestar 2: Key considerations before you buy

• Annoying sunroof: The panoramic glass roof doesn’t come with a factory blind, so you will get sunburned on a hot day and it’s hard work for the AC system to cool the cabin every time.
• Options: Some, such as the Pilot Pack, really should come as standard. If a carmaker has superior safety gear on its shelf, it shouldn’t charge its customers more for it. Not nice.
• Rear seat room: The back seat is a bit tighter than some direct competitors, along with the 405L boot.

2024 Polestar 2: Videos