It’s safe to say the Polestar 2 wasn’t the Tesla competitor we hoped it would be. As we discovered during our 2021 Car of the Year testing, we found the Polestar sedan cost too much compared to its competition, rode rather harshly, and offered limited driving range relative to the similarly sized Tesla Model 3. But it wasn’t all bad, either. There’s certainly no denying the Polestar 2’s solid build quality and handsome looks.
And now, the Polestar 2 lineup is expanding by a factor of three. Previously, the only Polestar 2 sold was the ritzy “Launch Edition” model. It was—and still is—the Polestar 2’s flagship trim. However, now there are two more options on the horizon. The first is the entry-level single motor Polestar 2. Instead of two electric motors (one at each axle), the base Polestar 2 has just one.
The motor itself is slightly upgraded compared to the one on the Launch Edition car, as it makes 231 hp relative to its high-end counterpart’s 204 horses (that said, the second motor at the front end gives the Launch Edition more overall power than the base Polestar 2 and its lone motor). The two-wheel-drive Polestar 2 shares its 78-kWh battery pack with the Launch Edition, though, and it makes up for its lesser overall horsepower with additional driving range thanks to its estimated 260 miles on a full charge. That’s 27 miles better than the Launch Edition’s EPA-rated 233-mile range.
If you simply must have all-wheel drive but don’t need all the glam of the launch car, then the new Polestar 2 dual-motor ought to pique your interests. Splitting the difference between the entry-level Polestar 2 and the top-line Launch Edition, the dual-motor retains the specs of the latter (an estimated 240 miles of range notwithstanding) but loses out on some of the flagship trim’s comfort and convenience goodies.
There are also new option packages for the Polestar 2. The first is the Plus package, which adds an upgraded audio system, a panoramic glass roof, WeaveTech vegan upholstery, some nicer interior decor, and a mechanical heat pump. The new heat pump reduces the load placed on the battery by the HVAC system, and Polestar claims that, in some cases, it can increase the car’s driving range by as much as 10 percent.
Another addition is that of the Performance package for dual-motor cars. The optional extra includes the Launch Edition’s adjustable Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes, and a racier wheel and tire combo. Lastly, there’s the Pilot package. Available on all Polestar 2s, it includes special LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assist setup, a 360-degree view camera, parking sensors, and blind spot monitoring.
Polestar isn’t talking pricing yet, but it claims the info will be announced in the coming weeks.
