Review - 2023 Polestar 2

A direct competitor to one of the biggest names in the business, the Tesla Model 3, Polestar takes it on with a sleek European styling package and a mix of standard and long-range variants with impressive range figures.

Just how good is the latest Polestar 2? Let’s take a closer look and find out.

Pros

• Attractive and practical interior design

• Immense performance in range-topping dual-motor variant

• Five-year servicing & roadside assistance as standard

Cons

• Key active safety gear (like adaptive cruise control) reserved for optional packages

• Range figures drop considerably in performance flagship Extensive and expensive options lists

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

Polestar 2 Competition

Starting Price: $63,900

OnlineAuto Savings: Enquire now

How Much Does It Cost?

The Polestar 2 is priced from $63,900 for the entry-level Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor, while stepping up to the Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor brings the price to $68,400.

Finally, the range-topping Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor is priced at $73,400.

Prices listed here are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

You could save money by using one of OnlineAuto’s car agents to assist you in finding the best car for you. As one of the leading car buying services in Australia, our team have access to a range of dealerships across the country to help find you the best deal.

Polestar 2 (LONG RANGE DUAL MOTOR 78kWh) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Polestar 2 car page.

What Features Does the Polestar 2 Have?

The Polestar 2 comes riding on a set of 19-inch alloys and receives LED headlights, keyless entry, a powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with parking sensors, ambient lighting, heated front seats and an 11.2-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay paired with an eight-speaker sound system.

The company has a number of optional packages like the Pilot Lite Pack, Plus Pack and Performance Pack that add a range of safety, comfort and sporty features.

Range Features:

• 19-inch alloys LED headlights

• Adaptive cruise control

• 11.2-inch infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay

• Eight-speaker sound system

• Rear-view camera with parking sensors

• Keyless entry

• Powered tailgate lift

• Ambient lighting

• Heated front seats

Is the Polestar 2 Comfortable to Drive?

While it hasn’t had the head-start on the competition that Tesla has enjoyed, Polestar has caught up with its major competitor in almost every measurable way.

This means that the Polestar 2 offers a comfortable platform, impressive range figures and, in the higher-spec variants, outstanding performance when you flatten your foot that has made it a true competitor to the Model 3.

Polestar splits the range into three models, with the base model picking up a single electric motor with a 69kWh battery, a single motor with a larger 78kWh battery and a range-topping dual-motor with the same 78kWh battery.

“The Long Range Single Motor offers a perfect balance of power and impressive electric driving figures”

The instant acceleration in the base model gives it a lively personality off the line, while the performance variant offers a massive power upgrade that transforms the Polestar 2’s nature into a true performance machine.

On the road, the Polestar 2 is smooth and refined, with the electric motors offering an extremely relaxing place to sit on a commute or long weekend drive, while the steering remains light and easy to maneuver around town.

If we’re honest, the mid-tier Long Range Single Motor offers the perfect balance of power and impressive driving range figures that make it the most usable variant here in Australia, with very little need for the 300kW/660Nm outputs of the range-topper.

If you’re hell-bent on excitement and scaring the daylight out of your passengers, the Long Range Dual Motor is the pick of the bunch, though keep in mind the ride quality does suffer on the 20-inch alloys.

How Far Can the Polestar 2 Drive on a Single Charge?

Polestar says that its midsize sedan package offers energy consumption figures of 17kWh/100km for single-motor variants, while the dual-motor flagship is rated at 19.4kWh/100km.

This means that the base model offers driving range figures of 474km on a single charge, which top out at 540km in the Long Range Single Motor, while the performance-focussed Long Range Dual Motor offers 480km of driving on a single charge.

Polestar’s 69kWh and 78kWh battery packs can be fast-charged at speeds up to 150kW in Long Range variants, while the Standard Range battery tops out at 130kW.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Designed from the ground up as a battery-electric vehicle, the Polestar 2 feels like a bespoke sedan that makes the most of its proportions when it comes to space and practicality.

Lovers of minimalistic-styled design will feel at home in the front of the Polestar 2’s cabin, which welcomes you into the best of sleek European styling while keeping you focussed on the road.

The Polestar 2’s cabin feels familiar to a typical car while offering some added storage options underneath the centre console, while the technology package is headlined by a large 11.2-inch display that has recently picked up Apple CarPlay in addition to Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

The Polestar 2’s cabin showcases sleek, minimalist European styling with a heap of practical touches.”

There’s more than enough head and leg room on offer in both the front and rear of the cabin to keep your family happy on long drives, while the cabin feels airy and spacious thanks to the large windows.

The benefit of having no engine under the bonnet means there’s an added 40L of storage up front, which combined with the rear boot, the Polestar 2’s total boot space figures up to a very usable 440L.

Is it Safe?

While safety is a strong selling point of the Polestar 2, there are some key omissions for the lineup that are reserved for Polestar’s optional Pilot Lite Package.

All variants have been given the five-star ANCAP safety tick, and receive autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, cruise control, lane keep assistance, oncoming lane and run-off mitigation, a rear-view camera with front and rear parking sensors and eight airbags.

If you’re looking for adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, or a surround-view camera you’ll have to lash out the extra $3400 for Polestar’s Pilot Lite package.

Our Verdict: Is The Polestar 2 Worth it?

The Polestar 2 is difficult to fault, and in a number of ways, exceeds what’s on offer in its major competitor, the Tesla Model 3.

The range has been split into three clever variants, with everything from an affordable and very impressive base model, a long-range hero and a thrilling performance flagship on offer for all types of buyers.

While we wish Polestar was a little bit more generous when it comes to reserving some features, particularly safety gear, for its optional packages, it remains one of the best battery-electric sedans on the market.

If you’re looking to make the switch to a battery-electric sedan, be sure to get in contact with one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the perfect car at the best possible price.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty

2. Five-star ANCAP safety rating

3. Eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty

4. Five years of free servicing & roadside assistance

5. Driving range figures up 540km in Long Range Single Motor

Can you guess Australia’s best-selling electric vehicles? Check them out here!