2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor - Review By Larry Nutson

2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Review

By Larry Nutson
Executive Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
THE AUTO CHANNEL

If you’re scratching your head over the name Polestar, don’t fret. Polestar is a relative newcomer to the automotive scene. It’s a Swedish automotive brand that was a part of Volvo, which is owned by Geely.

The Polestar name was originally used on high performance Volvos. Today, Polestar is a maker of electric performance cars with headquarters in Sweden and vehicle production in China.

Polestar’s North American headquarters is located in the greater New York City area. With convenient online ordering, the Polestar Space retail network has facilities in over 30 of the North American region's top electric vehicle markets.

Polestar 2 launched in 2019 as the electric performance fastback with avant-garde Scandinavian design. For 2023 the Polestar 2 electric fastback gains important new features and refinements, new exterior and interior colors and materials, premium Bridge of Weir leather, and an enhanced Performance Pack delivering 476hp.

Polestar 2 Long range Single motor is front-wheel drive and includes a high level of standard features such as a vegan interior, innovative inner-side airbags, and an embedded Google infotainment system, a native operating system that dramatically enhances the digital lifestyle with Google apps and services built-in.

The Single motor produces 231 hp (170 kW) and 243 lb-ft (330 Nm) torque and is powered by the same 78 kWh lithium-ion battery as the Dual motor. On a single charge, the EPA-certified driving range for the Polestar 2 Single motor is 270 miles. Zero to 60 mph acceleration is in 7.0 seconds.

Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor has a combined 408 hp (300 kW) and 487 lb-ft (660 Nm) torque. All-wheel drive allows for increased performance. It can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.45 seconds. The preliminary estimated EPA driving range is 260 miles on a single charge.

The 2023 Polestar 2 Single motor has a starting price of $48,400, and the 2023 Polestar 2 Dual motor has a starting price of $51,900. Destination charge is an additional $1,400.

The 2023 Polestar 2 offers curated customizability. Customers can select additional premium features in the available $4,200 Plus Pack, $3,400 Pilot Pack, and $5,500 Performance Pack.

Have a look at https://www.polestar.com/us/

The Polestar 2 Dual Motor I recently experienced was finished in “Space” black for $1,250 with a Zinc Nappa Leather interior with light ash trim for $4,000. Also equipped was the Pilot Pack that adds enhanced safety and driver assistance features as well as LED headlights with Active Bending Lights and Active High Beam, LED front fog lights with cornering function, and auto-dimming exterior mirrors.

Additionally, the Plus Pack added premium interior, exterior, and convenience equipment. The most notable feature is an improved energy-efficient HVAC mechanical improved heat pump that reduces the reliance on battery charge to heat the interior, thus boosting overall driving range in adverse conditions.

Optional 20-inch diamond-cut aluminum wheels and 245/40R20 tires priced at $1,300 brought the bottom-line price total to $67,450.

The Polestar 2 is 181.1 inches long, seats five and has 14.3 cu.ft. of cargo space behind the rear seat. There’s also 1.2 cu.ft. of storage space up front under the hood. Overall, the Polestar 2 is very functional and yet a comfortable size for a crowded city. It’s fairly heavy at 4,658 lbs. However, there’s plenty of instant torque to get you moving very quickly. Yes, very---not for the faint of heart or an inexperienced driver.

Driving an EV on the highway is exceedingly pleasant thanks to minimal vibrations and no buzzing internal-combustion engine to disturb the trip. Polestar 2 tires are manufactured to the vehicle specifications. Ride quality, interior quietness, low levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), steering response, steering feedback, rolling resistance, and roadholding in various driving conditions are therefore optimized.

Regenerative braking uses the inertia of the vehicle while coasting to put charge back in the battery. It reduces the frequency the brake pedal must be depressed, helping to reduce the driving task. I use regen braking most always while driving the stop-and-go streets around my home in Chicago.

Polestar 2 comes equipped with an 11-kW onboard charger and may be charged at home via a standard 120 or 240-volt AC power outlet. For fast charging at public charging infrastructure, Polestar 2 can accept up to 155 kW of DC power. It takes approximately 30 minutes to recharge the battery from 10 to 80%. Note that ambient temperature will influence the time.

Your needs in your typical driving pattern must be considered in determining if a BEV is right for you. Charging is all important. Personally, I recommend the installation of a Level 2 charger at your residence. It’s key to a good ownership experience. If you live in a cold climate it is best to be able to garage a BEV.

Of note! The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 amends the Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit (the Federal tax credit). It’s now known as the Clean Vehicle Credit and adds a new requirement for final assembly in North America that took effect on August 16, 2022.

Lastly, Polestar 3 launched in late 2022 as the SUV for the electric age. It’s a large high-performance SUV that delivers sports car dynamics with a low stance and spacious interior. Polestar plans to release three more electric performance vehicles through to 2026.

The future is electric. Happy motoring!