Used 2023 Polestar 2

There’s an extra dimension to electric vehicles compared with the gasoline gaggle. Sustainability. The idea is to produce forms of personal transportation that impact the planet’s flora and fauna as little as possible.

Polestar is on board with that, providing interiors free of animal products, improving the range of existing models with over-the-air updates, using renewable energy in the construction of its cars, and ethical mining practices where things like cobalt are sourced.

In addition to the substance and everyday usability of the Polestar 2, there’s a forward-looking philosophy behind it.

Three years on from launch, the Polestar 2 remains one of the fainter blips on the radars of electric vehicle (EV) buyers. Tesla is still the first EV maker that usually springs to mind. But for those who prefer lower-key and less obvious choices, this could be your next ride.

Climb in, and the 2023 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).

The Single Motor version has 231 horsepower going to the front wheels. Which is okay, but doesn’t provide that instant giggle-filled acceleration typical of electric vehicles. But then it can cover 270 miles on a single charge and doesn’t feel short of muscle on the freeway.

Preferences and conditions will vary, but we found that setting brake regeneration to Low and steering response to Standard created a good basic setup for general driving. Set the brake regeneration to its maximum, though, and the Polestar 2 brings one-pedal driving to the mix.

The vehicle will slow down and even come to a complete stop just by lifting off the accelerator. Great for in-town driving or even getting into a nice flow through a series of corners.

Extra punch and the enhanced traction of all-wheel drive is the preserve of the Dual Motor model, developing 408 horsepower in standard form. It takes just a fraction over 4 seconds to zip from standstill to 60 mph.

Both versions have well-tuned suspensions balancing comfort with composure and control. The optional Performance Pack offered with the Dual Motor has adjustable shock absorbers and 20-inch alloy wheels wearing sportier tires. A new development this year, the Performance Pack also boosts output to 476 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque.

Maximum range for the Dual Motor is estimated at 260 miles (11 more than last year) regardless of power levels. But a driver with the Performance Pack might be inclined to flex that muscle more often.

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. It’s looking out the back that could really use an improvement, though.

The rear window is quite small, and the headrests on the back seats are always in the rearview mirror. If there was a camera-based mirror, it would show a clearer and more comprehensive view behind.

An upgraded optional heat pump doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but this detail points to a bigger picture of how Polestar operates. A heat pump 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.

An update of the pump’s software has improved operation and owners of earlier cars have already received this update over the air. Range increases can also be done this way.

Other changes this year include the availability of a removable mesh shade for the optional panoramic moonroof, which is also offered to existing Polestar 2 owners. And the company has a new supplier of fine leather — Bridge of Weir.

Based in bonnie Scotland, this operation obtains its hides from grass-fed, responsibly raised cattle and does not use chrome in its tanning processes. Other clients include Aston Martin and Jaguar, so it’s top-notch stuff. Polestar also makes a point of offering vegan-friendly interiors.

Size-wise, the 2023 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 13 to 38.7 cubic feet is similarly unimpressive.  For comparison, a Hyundai Ioniq 5 has 39.4 inches of rear legroom, with cargo space of 27.2 to 59.3 cubic feet. Nevertheless, we were able to load a full-size mountain bike in the Polestar 2, thanks to the flexible hatchback design.

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.

The European influence is strong with this one. Not surprising, since Polestar is part of Volvo. The headlights are a giveaway. In general, clean and classy lines illustrate the design approach. If there’s a standout design element, it’s the half sedan, half hatchback profile.

Those headlights are all LED, by the way. And the Polestar 2 has an LED light bar running across the back. New colors this year are Space (a metallic black) and Jupiter — Polestar describes that as gold-gray with red flake. The standard no-extra-cost color is the silvery Magnesium. The alloy wheels have also been redesigned.

Digital driver display
A 12.3-inch instrument cluster is standard across the lineup, showing information like battery levels and potential range, as well as speed.

Infotainment touchscreen
Set vertically, this standard 11.2-inch display has crisp graphics and is part of a Google-based system that responds to natural voice commands and also offers Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.

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

Smaller carbon footprint
Aluminum for the battery casing and wheels is now made using renewable energy.

Harman Kardon audio
Part of the optional Plus pack, this 13-speaker/600-watt system was designed specifically for the Polestar 2.

Performance Pack
The adjustable shock absorbers in this optional bundle are from Öhlins and the upgraded brakes are Brembo. Both suppliers have great reputations and expertise gained from successes in motorsport.

The most affordable 2023 Polestar 2 EV is the Single Motor version, which also has the best range of 270 miles. It’s a front-wheel-drive model with 231 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque.

The Dual Motor variant adds a second motor to drive the rear wheels, and range improves this year by 11 miles, making a total of 260 miles.

In standard form, the Dual Motor enjoys a substantial 408 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque. With the Performance Pack in the picture, output increases to 476 horsepower and 502 lb-ft.

Both variants deploy an automatic transmission.

Charging the lithium-ion battery from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger takes about 30 minutes. A 240-volt home setup can achieve a full replenishment in eight hours or so.

In December 2022 the automaker announced Polestar 2 owners could upgrade from 408 horsepower to 476 horsepower via an over-the-air software upgrade for a one-time fee of $1,195.

Polestar 2 Single Motor
231 horsepower
243 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 113/100 MPGe
EPA-estimated range on a single charge: 270 miles

Polestar 2 Dual Motor
408/476 horsepower (standard/Performance Pack)
487/502 lb-ft of torque (standard/Performance Pack)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 105/96 MPGe
EPA-estimated range on a single charge: 260 miles

4-year/50,000-mile Warranty

Polestar’s basic warranty is for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. The battery is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Four years or 50,000 miles of roadside assistance is also included.