The 2022 Polestar 2: agile handling, a futuristic design and affordably priced

The 5-door, 5-seat Polestar 2 fastback is the first pure electric car from Polestar. With its powerful electric drivetrain, innovative digital features, agile handling, and futuristic design, it's packed with unique features that make this EV one of a kind with a very affordable price.

By John Coulter

Starting at an MSRP of $45,900, this pure electric vehicle takes Swedish Minimalist Design to a new level. With its 408 horsepower, and 0 to 60 acceleration in under 4.5 seconds, it propels the EV driving experience into the zero emissions future, offering a total range of 270 EPA-estimated miles on a single charge.

The EV is eligible for up to a $7,500 Federal Tax Credit, making it a steal.

Polestar sums up its 2022 Polestar 2 EV this way: “Bold yet understated. Futuristic without being flashy. Every inch of the Polestar 2 has been designed for pure, progressive performance. From the frameless mirrors to the avant-garde lights, the exterior exhibits a cool, controlled aesthetic that's quietly, but confidently distinctive. There’s poetry in precision. Our design and engineering teams spent thousands of hours fine tuning every millimetre of the Polestar 2’s chassis, bodywork and interior. The result of their rigorous attention to detail speaks for itself.”

There are two versions of the Polestar 2: the Long range Single motor (MSRP: $45,900) and the Long range Dual motor (MSRP: $49,900). Both come with the following standard options:

•  Origami-inspired headlights which boast an adaptive, 84-pixel LED lamp. Controlled by a front-camera, the lights detect other drivers and adjusts brightness in real time. This helps allow for maximum-visibility at all times. Hello high-beams, goodbye blinders.

• Retractable frameless mirrors: for ease of maneuvering in tight spaces, you can tilt the side mirrors downwards when in reverse. When parked, you can fold them in to lessen the risk of damage from passing vehicles.

•19” 5-Double Spoke Black Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels, fitted with 245/45R19 tires.

• Intuitive Google car software: The Polestar 2 is the world’s first car with Google built in. The driver-oriented interface on the 11.2-inch center display gives you a uniquely user-friendly experience right from the start. The Infotainment is powered by Android and includes Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google PlayStore, SiriusXM and HomeLink. Apple CarPlay becomes available in Spring of 2022.

• Heated front seats: The driver seat and front passenger seat are electrically heated with individual three-level touch controls as standard.

• High Performance Audio: The Polestar 2’s High Performance Audio system delivers 250 watts through eight speakers, including a patented woofer with air woofer technology mounted under the hood just below the windscreen, providing high quality sound throughout the cabin.

• Polestar app, Polestar Digital Key, Polestar connect, Over-the-air updates, an Alarm System including rear door power child locks.

• Park Assist front and rear, a Rear Park assist camera.

• A Handsfree power operated tailgate.

Both Polestar 2 trims use 3 levels of brake energy regeneration. One of the levels enables one-pedal driving, which is particularly useful in city traffic. Instead of moving your right foot back and forth between the brake and acceleration pedals, you can increase or decrease the pressure of your driving foot on just one pedal.

Polestar 2’s interior features include: a Frameless interior automatically dimmed mirror, Embossed Textile seats (Charcoal or Zinc) with 3D Etched deco, Power seats with mechanical backrests (memory on driver seat), 4-way power lumbar support, a Key fob + activity key, a 12V socket, rear luggage compartment, Interior Mid Level Illumination, 2-Zone Electronic Climate Control (ECC), 4 USB-C connectors (2 in front and 2 in rear).

Safety assistance features include: standard level ADAS including Collision Avoidance and Mitigation, Run-off Road Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Post Impact Braking, and Ready to Drive notification.

Kelley Blue Book’s Colin Ryan says: “The 2022 Polestar 2 all-electric midsize car dances on the lines between crossover and hatchback, and between luxury and mainstream. Standard equipment pushes the Polestar 2 toward luxury territory. Yet the pricing is similar to new electric vehicles from Kia and Hyundai. Of course, we’ve all heard of Kia and Hyundai. But Polestar is a whole different box of toys. This used to be the tuning house that specialized in hot-rodding Volvo cars. Then it became part of the company and eventually repurposed as a sub-brand of Volvo making electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrids, which is the limited-edition Polestar 1 coupe (awesome car, by the way).”

“The Volvo connection naturally brings safety innovations for both cars. In the front seats are new inner side airbags that prevent the occupants from colliding in the event of an extreme side impact. Another new feature also debuts for 2022, a mechanical heat pump, available in the optional Plus Pack. It scavenges heat from outside — including the drivetrain, and even on cold days. It’s said to improve range up to 10%.”

Eco-conscious drivers considering the Polestar 2 can rest assured that Polestar uses sustainable materials wherever possible, from both environmental and ethical standpoints. The cobalt required for its battery pack comes from suppliers who engage in responsible mining practices, which include fair treatment of their workers. The new Polestar 2 comes as standard with embossed textile WeaveTech upholstery made from a vegan material that comes in two colorways to match new 3D-etched panels within the vehicle.

An additional perk that comes with driving a Polestar 2: drivers can fast charge at Electrify America's stations at no cost (30-minute sessions) over a period of two years from the first day they lease or purchase their new EV.

WRITTEN DECEMBER 2022