Written by - The Savvy Promise
At Savvy, our mission is to empower you to make informed financial choices. While we maintain stringent editorial standards, this article may include mentions of products offered by our partners. Here's how we generate income.
Following its successful launch earlier this year, Volvo’s range of fully electric vehicles in Australia has been expanded from the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge to also include the Polestar 2, which is manufactured through its subsidiary company, Polestar.
However, with the new 2023 range now available, is buying a Polestar 2 worth it? We have conducted a five-day test of the Long Range Dual Motor model with the $8,000 Performance Pack top level upgrades; putting the car through its paces both in the city and on the open road. You can learn more about our thoughts on the vehicle’s price, models, specifications, and handy features in the following review.
Trim levels and driveaway prices
The 2023 Polestar 2 comes with three variants: the Standard Range Single Motor, Long Range Single Motor and Long Range Dual Motor. The Standard Range Single Motor variant is listed at the lowest price for the range at $63,900, while the Long Range Single and Dual Motor models come at driveaway prices of $68,400 and $73,400, respectively.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the 2023 Polestar 2’s variants are as follows:
Trim levels and driveaway prices
The 2023 Polestar 2 comes with three variants: the Standard Range Single Motor, Long Range Single Motor and Long Range Dual Motor. The Standard Range Single Motor variant is listed at the lowest price for the range at $63,900, while the Long Range Single and Dual Motor models come at driveaway prices of $68,400 and $73,400, respectively.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the 2023 Polestar 2’s variants are as follows:
| 2023 Polestar 2 Dimensions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| SR Single Motor | LR Single Motor | LR Dual Motor | |
| Length | 4,606mm (15ft, 1in) | 4,606mm (15ft, 1in) | 4,606mm (15ft, 1in) |
| Height | 1,479mm (4ft, 10in)* | 1,479mm (4ft, 10in)* | 1,479mm (4ft, 10in)* |
| Width | 1,859mm (6ft, 1in)** | 1,859mm (6ft, 1in)** | 1,859mm (6ft, 1in)** |
| Weight | 1,938kg (4,273lbs) | 1,994kg (4,396lbs) | 2,113kg (4,658lbs) |
| Wheelbase | 2,735mm (12ft, 0in) | 2,735mm (12ft, 0in) | 2,735mm (12ft, 0in) |
| Tyre size | 19" rim - 245/45 | 19" rim - 245/45 | 19" rim - 245/45, or 20" rim - 245/40 |
| Ground clearance (unladen) | 151mm (6in) | 151mm (6in) | 151mm (6in) |
*With the Performance package, the Polestar 2’s height is reduced to 1,473mm (4ft, 10in).
**The width does not include wing mirrors. With these included, the width of each Polestar 2 model is 1,935mm (6ft, 3in).
Motors
The two Single Motor models come with outputs of 170kW and 330Nm of torque. However, the Long Range Dual Motor variant enables drivers to take advantage of a boosted 300kW and 660Nm of torque, representing almost double the overall power of the Single Motor Polestar 2.
Accessories and features
The 2023 Polestar 2 range packs a variety of attractive features into each vehicle. Some of the inclusions you’ll notice immediately are the 11.2-inch multimedia and infotainment touchscreen, which is powered by Android Automotive OS and comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Google Maps, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver.
Additional features which are accessible across each of the three Polestar 2 Variants include the following:
- Eight-speaker sound system
- Dual-zone climate control air conditioning
- Keyless start and entry (Polestar Digital Key, which also offers phone-based locking)
- Ambient interior lighting
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
You can also purchase additional packs to boost the features included in your Polestar 2. These are the Pilot Lite pack (+$3,400), the Plus pack (+$6,000) and the Performance pack (+$8,000 and only available on the Dual Motor variant). Some of the features you can look forward to when purchasing these packs include:
- Surround-view camera (Pilot Lite)
- Side parking sensors (Pilot Lite)
- LED front fog lights (Pilot Lite)
- 13-speaker sound system from Harman Kardon (Plus)
- Heated front (with memory) and rear seats, as well as steering wheel and wiper nozzles (Plus)
- Wireless phone charging (Plus)
- Panoramic glass sunroof (Plus)
- 20-inch alloy wheels (Performance)
- Gold seatbelts (Performance)
Warranty
The 2023 Polestar 2 comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, as well as a warranty for the battery for eight years or 160,000km. All new Polestar 2 models also come with a five-year free servicing plan, as well as free roadside assistance for the same period, setting it apart from most other makes and models. The intervals for required servicing are whichever comes first between two years and 30,000km.
Colours
The standard colour for Polestar 2 models is Magnesium, with all other colour options requiring an additional $1,500:
- Jupiter
- Midnight
- Snow
- Space
- Thunder
Battery, charging and range
The Standard Range Single Motor Polestar 2 comes with a 67.0kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery, while both the Long Range variants are powered by a larger NMC battery of 75.0kWh. The maximum range available is with the Long Range Single Motor model, which Polestar claims can reach up to 460km on a single charge. However, this only applies at speeds of no more than 50km/h, with higher speeds, larger wheels and air conditioning all potentially decreasing the range to as little as 370km. The table below demonstrates the different ranges available in certain circumstances:
| Polestar 2 Driving Range | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | SR Single Motor (19" wheels) | SR Single Motor (20" wheels) | LR Single Motor (19” wheels) | LR Single Motor (20” wheels) | LR Dual Motor (19” wheels) | LR Dual Motor (20” wheels) |
| 50km/h | 410km range | 390km range | 460km range | 440km range | 429km range | 410km range |
| 80km/h | 390km range | 370km range | 440km range | 420km range | 410km range | 390km range |
| 110km/h | 350km range | 330km range | 400km range | 380km range | 370km range | 350km range |
*Polestar estimates that air conditioning will reduce the Polestar 2’s range by a further 10km in addition to the above figures.
All Polestar 2 models come with the same seven-metre, 11kW AC onboard charger, while the Standard Range can be fast-charged at up to 130kW DC and the Long Range models at up to 150kW DC. Such fast charges can take the Polestar 2 from 10% to 80% in 37 minutes at a compatible point. A full charge at a home charging outlet with the 11kW AC cord will take up to seven hours on the Standard Range or eight on the Long Ranges.
Speed
As the most powerful of the Polestar 2 variants, the Long Range Dual Motor is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds, making it quicker than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 by roughly half a second. Both of the Single Motor models can reach that speed in 7.4 seconds.
Interior
The Polestar 2 interior comes in one of two colour schemes: either Slate, which comes with two-tone Zinc Embossed Textile, or Charcoal, which comes with Charcoal Embossed Textile. Additionally, if you purchase the Plus pack, you can choose between Slate or Charcoal vegan WeaveTech or Zinc animal-welfare-certified leather upholstery.
As mentioned, the multimedia touchscreen and digital instrument display for the driver enhance the experience of being in the vehicle, enabling easier navigation and climate control.
While the design of the Polestar 2 is sleek and kitted out with a wide range of desirable features, tall drivers and passengers may find that it lacks some headroom. Additionally, if you decide to purchase the Plus or Performance pack and add a panoramic sunroof to your vehicle, you’re likely to find the car becomes particularly warm when left in the sun, which can be an issue in the Australian summer.
Storage space
All Polestar 2 models come with a 41L frunk under the bonnet and a 405L rear boot. However, with its rear seats folded down, you can access up to 1095L of storage capacity.
Towing capacity
Additionally, all Polestar 2 models come with a 1,500kg braked towing capacity, which puts it at three times the strength of the MG ZS EV in this area.
Safety features
The Polestar 2 comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating and a swathe of useful safety features. Among the standard features across all trim levels (as included in the Advance Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS) are:
- Run-off Road Mitigation
- Oncoming Lane Mitigation
- Lane Keeping Aid
- Post Impact Braking
- Driver Alert Control
- Road Sign Information
- Speed Limiter
By purchasing the Pilot Lite pack, you’ll also unlock a variety of other safety features, which include:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Reverse Auto Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
On top of these, the variants come with the ability to turn ‘creeping’ (continued forward movement after taking your foot off the accelerator) on or off, enabling you to drive with one pedal in most everyday situations.
What’s new
The most notable difference between the 2023 Polestar 2 range and the initial models made available in Australia in 2022 is the boost given to their prices. The Standard Range Single Motor sat at $59,900, Long Range Single Motor at $64,990 and Long Range Dual Motor at $69,900, meaning the model saw price bumps of $4,000, $3,410 and $3,500, respectively.
Additionally, the 2023 models have seen the Space and Jupiter colour options added at the expense of Void and Moon.
What’s coming in the future
Polestar and Volvo have also announced a suite of further additions to the Polestar line of vehicles, with the Polestar 3 and 4 (both of which are SUVs) set to be released in 2023 and likely hit Australian shores in 2024, as well as the Polestar Precept being unveiled. The latter is the concept vehicle which will eventually become the Polestar 5, while another concept vehicle, the Polestar O2, is set to become the Polestar 6. However, this is only expected to be released in 2026.
If you are in the market for a new EV and are looking for finance, consider a green car loan with Savvy. You can compare the Polestar to similar competitor models with our reviews of the Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 6.
This guide provides general information and does not consider your individual needs, finances or objectives. We do not make any recommendation or suggestion about which product is best for you based on your specific situation and we do not compare all companies in the market, or all products offered by all companies. It’s always important to consider whether professional financial, legal or taxation advice is appropriate for you before choosing or purchasing a financial product.
Approval for car loans is always subject to our lender’s terms, conditions and qualification criteria. Lenders will undertake a credit check in line with responsible lending obligations to help determine whether you’re in a position to take on the loan you’re applying for.
The interest rate, comparison rate, fees and monthly repayments will depend on factors specific to your profile, such as your financial situation, as well others, such as the loan’s size and your chosen repayment term. Costs such as broker fees, redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, aren’t included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts may result in a different comparison rate.
The content on our website is produced by experts in the field of finance and reviewed as part of our editorial guidelines. We endeavour to keep all information across our site updated with accurate information.
