2025 Polestar 2

Having launched for 2021, the Polestar 2 was and still is something of an outlier in the electric vehicle (EV) world. Part of that has to do with the between-genres styling — somewhere on a spectrum with a car at one end and an SUV at the other. Getting a new marque embedded in the car-buying public’s consciousness is also a tough gig. Polestar comes under the Volvo umbrella, but doesn’t have the same recognition yet.

This outlier status becomes more consolidated for 2025 as the Polestar 2 lineup shrinks to one high-performance, well-equipped, and sporty model — at a price that people might pay for an established name like BMW, but may not be so inclined with a lesser-known badge. It seems the company isn’t quite sure what to do with the 2. We would have preferred more range rather than the uncompetitive figure here.

On the plus side, the Polestar 2 is arguably handsome in its own way, has great features, drives well, and that unusual-ness could be a good thing in buyers’ opinions.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury electric cars, including the Polestar 2.

There’s only one version of the Polestar 2 for 2025 — in the United States, at least. Last year, this would have been the top-of-the-line variant with all the option packages. Now, it’s all standard. This much equipment and power helps justify the high price. A couple of new exterior paint colors also come on board.

Rivals like the BMW i4 xDrive40 and Kia EV6 GT are priced close to the Polestar 2. The Tesla Model 3 Performance is noticeably less expensive.

Before buying a new Polestar 2 electric vehicle (EV), check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. We don’t expect resale values to be as strong as those of the Tesla Model 3. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The sole version of the 2025 Polestar 2 generates 476 horsepower and can zip from a standstill to 60 mph in around four seconds, perhaps a fraction quicker. Taken by itself, that’s entertainingly brisk and shows its taillights to the 396-hp BMW i4 xDrive40. Compared with something like the 510-hp Tesla Model 3 Performance, it’s about one second adrift.

This model’s suspension comes with adjustable shock absorbers, although the basic tune is on the sporty side, so it’s not quite as forgiving as the erstwhile base Polestar 2. We suggest paying some attention to this aspect when test-driving the car to make sure it’s acceptable.

There’s no Start button. Climb in, and the Polestar 2 is ready to roll. Just put it in gear, and away you go (after securing the seat belt and checking the surroundings, of course).

Preferences and conditions will vary, but we’ve found that setting brake regeneration to Low and the steering response to Standard creates a good combination for general driving. Set the brake regeneration to its maximum and one-pedal driving becomes possible. The vehicle will slow down and even come to a complete stop just by lifting off the accelerator — great for in-town driving or getting into a flow through a series of corners.

One thing we noticed was that, depending on a driver’s height, the front edge of the roof might come down a fraction too much, obscuring things like overhead traffic lights. Looking out the back could also use an improvement. The rear window is quite small, and the headrests on the back seats are always in the rearview mirror. If there were a camera-based mirror, it would show a clearer and more comprehensive image.

Polestar makes a point of offering a vegan-friendly interior, with the standard seat covering consisting of a durable woven fabric. Fine leather from Bridge of Weir is also available. This Scottish company obtains hides from grass-fed, responsibly raised cattle and does not use chrome in its tanning processes. Other clients include Aston Martin, so it’s top-notch stuff.

Size-wise, the Polestar 2 is on the compact side. That results in plenty of space up front, but rear legroom of 34 inches is not that generous. And a cargo area going from 14.4 to 38.7 cubic feet is similarly unimpressive. The Polestar 2 also has a storage area under the hood of 1.2 cubic feet, plus some under-floor space beneath the cargo floor of 1.4 cubic feet.

A heat pump doesn’t sound particularly exciting. Still, it can help maximize range by collecting warm air from the drivetrain and sending it into the cabin, easing the burden on the climate control system.

Not quite a typical SUV and riding a little higher than a regular car, the Polestar 2 is its own thing. There’s a practical hatchback and an overall design influence from Volvo, which is no bad thing in our opinion. It’s about the same length as a Honda CR-V compact SUV — most people know the size of that. Where the grille would be on a combustion car, there’s what Polestar calls the Smart Zone, housing camera and radar components.

A new standard exterior color comes into effect for 2025. It’s called Vapor, a silvery hue with blue-green undertones. Storm, a dark aluminum-type finish, joins the options list.

Digital driver information display
As standard equipment, this 12.3-inch instrument cluster can show information like battery levels, potential range, and speed.

Infotainment touchscreen
This standard, vertically oriented 11.2-inch display has crisp graphics and controls a Google-based system that responds to commands given in natural speech. It also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which is missing from Tesla vehicles.

Replaceable battery cells
If an individual lithium-ion battery cell fails, it can be swapped. No need to replace the whole thing.

Carbon footprint consciousness
Renewable energy is used to manufacture aluminum for the battery casing and wheels.

Harman Kardon audio
This 13-speaker/600-watt system was designed specifically for the Polestar 2 and is yet another standard feature in the 2025 Polestar 3.

Performance Pack
The Polestar 2 also has Öhlins adjustable shock absorbers and upgraded Brembo brakes. Both of these third-party companies have forged strong reputations through motorsport.

The 2025 Polestar 2 is estimated to travel for 254 miles between charges. That’s not especially impressive since the Tesla Model 3’s minimum is 303 miles with the Performance model. The BMW i4 xDrive40 Gran Coupe manages 287 miles.

Using a DC fast charger, taking battery capacity from 10% to 80% requires 28 minutes. That’s pretty much where the bar is at this point in EV technology.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Polestar’s basic warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical for the luxury sector. The battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. Four years or 50,000 miles of roadside assistance is also included, along with complimentary scheduled maintenance for three years or 30,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

The Polestar 2 has received a maximum overall score of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering.