Polestar 2 | 1+ Year/40.000km Long Term Review

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[dpdxA]

As a P2 owner I think the points that you make are completely in line with my experiences and perspectives. I don't take long drives so I don't have the range issue that you describe but I can see how in the cold weather it might cause some frustration. This video was fun to watch for me as it was "Yeah, that's right" followed by "Yeah, that's right." 😃

[marcel]

After 2 years and 40‘000 km (18 kWh/100km average consumption = 415 km average range) I can only agree with Misha‘s review, although for me the negative aspects don’t bother me at all.

Biggest pluses for me:
- great overall package: fun, sporty, safe, still good for family (my wife and daughters are not tall, they appreciate the high seating in the back)
- adaptive front lights
- hatchback for loading of bikes and other larger stuff
- comfy seats (I‘m also 1.83)

Negatives:
- at night the backlights are very weak for the 360 view (workaround: tip on the brakes with your left foot to activate the brake lights)
- could be a bit less noisy above 100km/h
- cameras can‘t be used as dash cams

[robertstanley]

I accidentally received a Polestar from Hertz when I initially wanted a Tesla Model 3. I tried calling around to switch it, finally gave Polestar 2 a try and I extended my rental for a week and a half lol. Polestar 2 is nothing on the roads and its so comfortable, easy to drive, and fast! Im hoping to save up to buy a Polestar 2 in California.

[NJturtlePower]

So here's my not so quick Pro/Con experience after renting a 2023 Polestar 2 (Single Motor) from Hertz (Houston -IAH) over 3-days and about 100mi. as a 5-Year Tesla Model 3 owner. I was immediately impressed by the build quality (no rattles or squeaks), trim materials, low road noise and handling/body control. I enjoyed the design elements and looks, just wish it sat a bit lower from the side profile view. The onboard Google maps and dual displays were nice and I found no reason to use the available CarPlay option I would normally use in all my rentals.

Biggest Cons IMO were #1 the awkward high center console that I bashed my knee on the very first time I sat in the vehicle and several times since as a taller 6' 2" driver. Con #2 would be the lower range vs. Tesla, although to be fair, the PS2 is more accurate and realistic with its range. I often lose a few % parked or drop 2-3% at the start of a trip in my Tesla which I was not seeing in the PS2. Con #3 for me would be the poor rear visibility vs. a Model 3...nothing more than a tiny little pocket between the rear headrests. Forward visibility was fine, but again much better in the Tesla where the dash is lower and the window is much larger.

Power delivery was smooth and surprisingly sufficient given this was only the single-motor version...0-60s is slow compared to Tesla Model 3's, but at speed on the road it's more than adequate and feels better than the numbers on paper IMO. Again compared to a Model 3 It's a bit tighter interior-wise, especially in the second row. Unique features that stood out to me were the frameless side mirrors, weird turn signal tone and neutral position shifter that I wasn't all that use to coming from a stalk based system.

Overall I would recommend and/or rent one again and I'm interested to see where the new refreshed design will take this model line. Tesla overall has the Tech, Performance and Charging Infrastructure advantage, but if build quality and mostly local driving (with home charging ability) are more your ownership style I think plenty would be more than happy with the Polestar 2. Solid B/B+ EV in my book!

[Ibit]

The range and charging is why i bought a Model 3 instead of a Polestar 2. I preferred the Polestar to drive though.

[quick]

I recently had the pleasure of driving the Polestar 2 for two weeks as a rental on holiday. It was a single-motor, long-range version. In summary, this is the best car I've ever driven. The bad points are, the key is made of kinder egg plastic quality material in a square shape with rough buttons. It makes a terrible presentation of an otherwise "luxury car". The central door-locking mechanism sounds so metallic and rough that it does not suit the car's status. The locks sound like Renault Clio MK2/3. The internal cabin materials are not up to the standard of BMW or Audi. Even the Volkswagen Gold GTI has a better-quality cabin than this. It's not bad, but it could be improved. There are some very cheap plastic bits in what feels like a quality cabin. The central armrest is too short/too far in the back to comfortably rest your hand. I'm 187cm/6′ 2″ and could barely rest my elbow on it. The home charging didn't work. It was constantly coming up with an error wherever I plugged it in. I read on forums that it's a blown fuse somewhere in the car. The cable light was turning on when plugged in, but the car always showed an error upon plugging the cable into the charging connector on the car. That's it. Everything else was superb, and I genuinely mean SUPERB! This is the best car I've ever driven (as I said already). It was so good that I would be more than happy with the single-motor long-range version for my daily driving. The fast charging worked perfectly. Managed to top up the car on most occasions within 30 minutes. It might sound long compared to 5 minutes at a petrol station, but once I tried driving an electric car, specifically Polestar 2, I'm converted. I don't mind spending 25 min extra to charge. It's reasonably fast that it doesn't feel annoying or painful. In exchange, you get the next generation of a car compared to a car with a combustion engine. It's such a difference in acceleration, speed delivery, traction, braking, and handling, just everything is the next level. Driving my BWM X3 with 2.0d and 245hp suddenly feels like steam powered truck that needs coal chugged in every few hundred miles to keep it going. I'm in no way comparing a family SUV with a small fast sedan, but the technological jump in the drivetrain is massive. It's as if you were using Nokia 3310 for 10 years and then you bought iPhone. It's mind-blowingly good and better at everything when it has a charge and you can access a fast charger. If you need to drive long distances without access to a fast charger, forget about it. You will wait for a day to top it up. Suddenly you'll feel like the caveman who needs to decide whether you keep the AC on while charging or not because you get 13km/ph top-up vs. 18km/ph top-up on a slow 14kW charger. It's impossible to do anything. But find a 75kW or 150kW charger, and you don't have to worry about range anxiety. As you can see, there are downsides to owning an electric car, as everyone knows, but if you can get a home charger, you don't drive more than 300 miles a day, and you have access to fast chargers on longer journeys, you should take the leap and get Polestar 2. It will blow your mind how good it is. Suddenly all the concerns from owning an electric car will go away because it's so much better than your old petrol or diesel car. On the last note, we've had 4 adults in the car with 70% charge, and we were able to keep up with BMW M3 E92. It's mind-boggling how a "normal" sedan can keep up with a performance car from a few years ago.

[volvodashcam]

After 66 000km I still love mine. I totally agree with you when it comes to information on the screens! I also want to know and have the information about the trip available on the dash.
I have another small thing as well, when reversing I would like to hqve split screen with the 360-view plus the rear camera. Also nit-picking but I have seen that in other cars and it made me want it. :)

[zmwm]

P2 owner here in Australia coming up on 12 months owner, our temperature makes the range issues you described far less of an issue, I've only experienced that once, during a 500KM round trip drive in rain / cold and uphill.

Totally agree with some frustration in the minimalism of the driver console, I'd love 3 or 4 options rather than the 2 that are currently provided.

Google integration is a huge plus, I love being able to, via my car, turn on my porch lights as I drive in if I need to. With a full google home setup, hue lights etc you can really do a lot... I've seen people show pre-warming their ovens on their drives home.

I have a P2 LRDM (Long range Dual Motor) with the performance software upgrade (but not the fancy Brembo brakes) and would probably stay with the dual motor, the high end pickup at Australian road speeds for overtaking that the performance pack adds is 100% worth it for me. and with the warmer climate, I can still get acceptable range.

It's still new-ish here in Au, but I will agree, the head turn still makes me smile as people try and work out what it is, on the road it really stands out as a super nice looking modern car, without screaming I'm an EV.

[colossus_g]

I absolutely love my car. Dual motor with plus pack. I agree with just about everything you said but for me the range limitation is not that much of an issue. Living in Australia it is rare that the batteries need to be heated for optimal performance. I have been on round trips of near enough 400km's without needing to recharge and have been lucky enough to not have had to charge on a trip ... yet. (I do have an Alfa Romeo Giulia for when I want to travel further 🙂🙂 which is a fantastic car as well)

[AdrijanPekovic]

As a fellow 1.83 m person, it's really easy to remember Misha - it's exactly 6 feet in freedom units :)

[gagangill]

I love my P2. When I bought it, the salesperson told me not to slam the bonnet but let it come down gently as far as it can and then press on both sides. The manual states the same. I have noticed that the charging cap can be nicely placed near the port(outside the rubber seal) at its longer side.👍👍

[MrTchou]

First time I hear about separate mirror heating, all cars i have seen with heated mirrors had one control for back window and mirror heating.

[SDKb]

My 2020 Polestar 2 is the best car I’ve owned - it’s powerful, smooth, quiet, love the Google infotainment, has a high spec & tech and it looks great ⚡️👍🏻
If Polestar can’t get my pre-ordered Polestar 3 delivered by this November I’ll get another P2 to fill the gap.

I agree with your negatives. I got a 3D printed cup holder which secures in the top of the glove box - works great!

[cheekychappy]

Great review and the cinematography is outstanding. The contrast between the white snow and black tarmac makes for a great moody picture.

[chriselliott]

Very fair review, and thank you, I've had mine for two years and never realised it had heated mirrors! In your review you don't seem to use the home button, which gives the four segments and has the arrival time on it - but I agree the arrival charge level would be much better. And the absolute worst failing for me, no-one mentions, but the reversing lights are utterly cack. Try to reverse at night in the dark and you will have a fit! Try it on a narrow road in the rain and you just have to wait till you hit something! Obviously not something Thomas ever tried.

[svenwahnsinn]

This slide-out drift was amazing.
Instant torque is the key.

[jamesrennie]

As a Polestar 2 owner I would say this review is pretty spot on. I've got the standard range single motor, could do with a bit more range. The 24 model does have the extra range. I want more power and 4x4 now too though.
I have to say I do love the Polestar. I've done nearly 10k miles in 8 months and no reliability issues. A few infotainment resets and other niggles but generally trouble free motoring.

[JacobDalby]

I have a Dual Motor non-performance version, and what I really miss is an original lowering kit as the stance of the car is a bit too high. I've looked at Heico, but not sure I want to modify the car with 3rd party suppliers when it's purely for aesthetics.
Other than that I really like my car, and can't really see myself in anything else on the market currently (within my price range).

[torbenbrenden]

MOON, the best P2 color.

I was told by a Polestar rep that the doorhandles are big and chunky so they would be easy to operate with thick winter mittens.

[gtek]

Polestar 2 is an amazing vehicle and the best electric car I have ever driven. The small negatives that you mentioned are just that "small" and overshadowed by its great performance, safety and reliability. Another important factor not to be underestimated is the Volvo network support is outstanding. Well done Polestar and Volvo you made a great true drivers car 😊