One of the newest electric car brands to emerge is Polestar. Powered by Volvo, this new brand is gaining traction in the industry with its entry-level model, the Polestar 2, which provides ample handling, technology and comfort at an accessible (for EVs) price tag (from $48,400 before any federal tax credits).
Fabulous Arizona recently got to test drive this attention-grabbing new car to see what all the fuss is about. Polestar has a modern showroom in Scottsdale Fashion Square that potential customers can visit. Dubbed a “Polestar Space,” this is where you can come to see the cars up close and meet with experts to learn more about the brand and its technology. For many, this is where their Polestar experience will begin, as it is where you can view different trim, paint and finish options up close and customize your new Polestar.
As soon as we got our lovely Polestar 2 we were struck by how sporty and stylish the car is. With its compact, sporty styling, it feels more like a luxury sedan, rather than a traditional hatchback EV, and this was a welcome change. There is even something evocative of a Ford Mustang in the front fascia that gives the Polestar 2 a little aggressive edge that further separates it from the competition.
The model we test-drove was fully loaded with all the bells and whistles and came in at a suggested retail price of $68,900 (about $28,000 less than the base Tesla Model S but a little more than a fully equipped Tesla Model 3). For this sticker price, you get features like a panoramic roof with projected Polestar symbol, Harman Kardon premium sound, Napa leather seats, power driver and passenger seats with power backrest, “Interior High-Level Illumination,” cordless charging and (this is cute) a grocery bag holder.
The interior feels nice and modern without being too “techy” or unapproachable. Seats have a comfortable and sporty feeling and the standard Android-powered infotainment system is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate for essential things like music, GPS and battery life. The hatchback functionality is of course useful.
The Polestar 2 comes in two powertrain options: a long-range single motor option that offers a 270-mile range and does 0 to 60 in seven seconds, and a long-range dual motor option that has a slightly smaller range (260-mile) but a lot more giddyup, going 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds. The model we drove was the dual motor and it offered all the torque-filled acceleration the average person could possibly ask for. We are sure for many the single motor is just fine, but if you appreciate a little more power, it would seem the dual motor is certainly worth the extra $3,500.
To really put it to the test, we took our shiny new Polestar 2 up to Flagstaff for the weekend. We only had to make one brief charging stop along the way, at Electrify America which has over 3,000 conveniently located chargers across the country (ours was in a Walmart parking lot). The car was consistently fun to drive and offered excellent handling and cornering around the sharp turns and mountains of Northern Arizona. It also got a lot of attention as dozens of people stopped us to inquire about this exciting new electric car.
During our trip, we found the Polestar 2 to be an exhilarating, sporty and capable drive. In the city and on the highway, it was very fun to drive, with quick acceleration, tight handling and great driver amenities. The driver interface was fantastic and intuitive, and the car itself is comfortable and stylish. It is easy to see why this car is making such a splash, and we can confidently say that if you are in the market for an EV (and really, who isn’t right now), the Polestar 2 has to be on your radar.
We should also note that there are two exciting vehicles on the horizon for Polestar. Debuting this October, the Polestar 3 is a premium electric SUV that will feature a dual-motor drivetrain and large battery with a target range of 372 miles, while the Polestar 6 is an electric performance roadster with up to 884 horsepower, a 3.2-second 0-60 time and over 300 miles of range expected to launch in 2026.
To learn more about the Polestar, visit polestar.com.