September 29, 2023
2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Plus

2023 Polestar 2 Twin Motor Plus in Area (a $1250 shade possibility)

Consumer Guide Test Drive

2023 Polestar 2 Twin Motor Plus

Class: Premium Compact Automobile

Colour: Area

Miles pushed: 431

CG Report Card
Room and Consolation B
Energy and Efficiency A
Match and End A
Gas Financial system A
Worth B-
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large Man B
Tall Man B
Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs 476-horsepower
Engine Kind Electrical motors
Transmission Computerized
Drive Wheels AWD

Battery capability: 78.0 kWh

EPA-estimate MPGe: 105 metropolis/96 hwy/100 mixed

EPA-estimated driving vary: 260 miles

Shopper Information vary estimate (splendid situations): 260 miles

Snow Efficiency: N/A

Base value: $51,900 (not together with $1400 vacation spot cost)

Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular paint ($1250), Pilot Package deal ($3400), Plus Package deal ($4200), Nappa leather-based seating ($4000), 20-inch alloy wheels ($1300)

Value as examined: $67,450

 

Fast Hits

The good: Enticing and fashionable design, long-trip snug, dependable battery-range estimates

The nice: Trendy accents and up-market materials selections

The not so good: Bizarre cup holder areas, wi-fi charger overheats telephone, unintuitive infotainment system.

 

Jill Ciminillo:

While you’re leaving for the airport and your husband says: Have a pleasant journey, I’ll miss the Polestar–not I’ll miss you–you understand you’ve simply pushed one thing price writing about.

The Polestar 2 is the primary quantity vendor from the nascent Polestar EV model. Like Volvo, Polestar is a part of the China-based Geeley household of manufacturers, which additionally contains Lotus, Sensible, Proton, and Zeekr.

2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Plus

2023 Polestar 2 Twin Motor Plus

The two has the form of a sedan, with a liftback for the trunk. Polestar’s relationship with Volvo is clear within the automobile’s basic design–in and out–from the “Thor’s Hammer” headlights to the vertical stack of the infotainment system.

From the second I slid behind the wheel, and the automobile turned on routinely, I used to be enamored.

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2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Plus

2023 Polestar 2 Twin Motor Plus

The clear design and well-textured supplies are minimalist stylish, and the agency however bolstered seats are snug for three-hour stints–for each petite individuals like me in addition to more-stout people like my husband.

The Polestar 2 is at present provided in two configurations: front-wheel-drive Lengthy Vary Single Motor, and AWD Lengthy Vary Twin Motor, every of which may be had in normal and Plus trim. Each are fitted with a 78.0-kWh battery which offers an EPA-estimated 260-270 miles of vary respectively. A limited-production BST Version 270 mannequin boasts further torque, however sees it vary estimate drop to 247 miles.

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2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Plus

2023 Polestar 2 Twin Motor Plus

The Single Motor fashions make do with 170 kW of energy (231 horsepower), whereas Twin Motor 2s boast 300 kW (476 horsepower). And, 300kW interprets to aheckuvalottafun.

Electrical Automobiles that Qualify for the Federal Tax Credit score

2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Plus

2023 Polestar 2 Twin Motor Plus

One of many issues I actually appreciated in regards to the Polestar 2 was the actual fact you might modify the “electricness” of the drive with whether or not or not you wished the one-pedal drive possibility. For individuals who aren’t acquainted, that is the power to throttle and brake the automobile utilizing simply the accelerator pedal. Although odd at first, as soon as acclimated one-pedal driving usually provides to an electric-vehicle’s sporty character.  And, as an electrical automobile, you may count on some street noise or wind noise to creep into the cabin, however the “2” was refreshingly and peacefully quiet.

Passing, merging and taking off from a begin had been all a gleeful expertise – so long as you didn’t must be involved about vary. Which I did. I’ll admit that once I took the mortgage, figuring out I used to be taking a 400-mile round-trip street journey, I used to be a bit nervous. I even reached out to my Polestar PR individual to confirm that he thought I’d be capable of make it, since I’d must go at the very least 167 miles earlier than I hit my first public charging station. After my winter experiences with the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Kia EV6–each of which suffered almost 50-percent cold-weather vary drops–I assumed my trepidation was warranted. Fortunately, the temperate Midwest spring-time climate, and the correct on-board vary estimator, saved me nicely throughout the promised limits of the Polestar 2’s vary.

I’ll say, regardless that the estimated vary goes as much as 260 miles, I used to be seeing nearer to 200 on a cost. That’s largely attributable to the truth that I used to be driving between 75 and 80 mph for many of my freeway time. EPA Vary estimates assume extra average freeway velocities. The on-board navigation system is powered by Google, as such, you’ve gotten entry to Google Maps and the Google Assistant. The maps work along with the vary estimator, and if you add in your vacation spot, it’ll not solely present you the journey distance and estimated arrival time, but additionally how a lot remaining vary you’ll have left when you arrive. This was vastly useful when planning my lengthy drive.

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2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Plus

2023 Polestar 2 Twin Motor Plus

Whereas I preferred the Googleness of the maps, the infotainment system itself is a little bit quirky and unintuitive. It took me a number of touchscreen stabs and pokes to determine the way to activate the radio, and to determine the place the journey data was situated. I’m certain an proprietor would get used to the system over time, however its basic clunkiness appeared out of character with minimalist nature of the dashboard and console.

Talking of clunky, let’s discuss cup holders. I do know Europeans couldn’t care much less about them, however Individuals are inclined to dwell and die by them. And the cup holders within the Polestar 2 are bizarre. The primary one is situated behind the gearshift, which is awkward when shifting or doing something with the information display screen. The second, in your passenger, is situated within the area below the armrest. So, if you wish to use it, it’s a must to preserve the lid of the armrest up. It’s bizarre.

I additionally want so as to add couple notes on ease of entry as this automobile is finest fitted to individuals who don’t have mobility points. My mother, who makes use of a walker, had a tough time getting out and in of the entrance seat as a result of it sat too low for her. My dad, with declining flexibility, had a tough time ducking all the way down to squish himself into the again seat. However, on the plus facet, mother’s walker did match within the cargo space no downside.

Quirks apart, I actually preferred the Polestar 2. In reality, when my husband and I had been discussing the EVs which have parked in our storage, we put this one towards the highest of the record – second solely to the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

I preferred the black-on-black exterior therapy on the take a look at automobile, even when the Area paint is a dear shade possibility, and the inside supplies (one other dear possibility) had been gentle and ethereal–a pleasant distinction to the darkish exterior. The trip and dealing with had been sporty and enjoyable, and with correct vary estimates, the vary anxiousness was almost nil.

In case you are on the lookout for an EV and don’t want the area afforded by an SUV, the Polestar 2 in Twin Motor trim is a must-test–together with the wonderful Hyundai Ioniq 6 ($46,615).

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2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Plus

2023 Polestar 2 Twin Motor Plus

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2023 Polestar 2 Twin Motor Plus Gallery

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