Polestar 2 (2023) review: faster, more economical and much larger range - AutoReview.nl

What is striking about the Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor (2023)?

The facelift that the Polestar 2 has received leads to great achievements, especially in technical terms. The exterior changes are limited to a new grille. In the old 2, it was still comparable to that of a petrol car, but now it is closed, as if Polestar is only now really coming out as an electric brand. Only at the bottom is a small opening for cooling the electric motor.

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Underneath it is not a facelift, but a metamorphosis. In the versions with one electric motor (Single Motor), the power is now transferred to the rear wheels, a trick that was previously used with the technically identical Volvo XC40 was applied. From pulling to pushing, that's what you could call it. Sporty drivers will be delighted, because this push makes the driving characteristics sportier.

The electric motor and battery pack are also new. This has significantly increased the range and allows you to fast charge with no less than 205 kW in almost all versions. Only the Standard Range Single Motor, the entry-level Polestar, can charge with 'only' 135 kW.

What's good about the Polestar 2 RWD?

The big question is: does pushing instead of pulling lead to sportier driving characteristics? And the answer is: certainly. It's always more fun to be pushed through the bend. Moreover, the balance is better: during rapid acceleration, the nose of the car rises slightly and part of the weight is transferred to the rear wheels. They have more grip. When cornering, the grip limit is so high that the rear end will not easily break away unexpectedly.

But the Polestar 2 remains above all a comfortable mileage eater. For truly sporty driving, the steering is not direct enough and the car feels a bit too heavy - with a weight of more than two tons, the Polestar is not a featherweight.

There is a lot in return. We experience again how nice one pedal driving feels in the Polestar 2 and it is so quiet inside that even our playlist with classical piano concerts comes into its own. Furthermore, full praise for the infotainment system, which works via Google and understands all your voice commands. That one time he understood 'Weesp' when we said 'Beesd', we forgive him.

What could be improved about the Polestar 2 (2023)?

The Polestar 2 is particularly lacking in terms of space and clarity. This is due to the small rear window and the large blind spot. But the wide and high central tunnel is also a spoilsport. It ensures that no one sits in the middle for fun, the Polestar 2 is actually a four-seater. The driver gets into trouble with his long legs because the space between the steering wheel and the center tunnel is too tight. It takes some yoga practice to wedge your leg in and out of that opening.

When will the Polestar 2 come to the Netherlands and what is the price?

The Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor is not cheap with a price of 55,200 euros, and that price increases if you fall for the temptations of the option packages. We would definitely recommend the Pilot pack (3000 euros), which includes adaptive cruise control and a system that keeps you in the center of your lane. And once you've heard those fine piano sounds from the Harman Kardon sound system, you'll go for the ax and fork out another 5,000 euros. You also get a panoramic roof, fully electrically adjustable front seats and a heat pump.

The Standard Range Single Motor is the basic version (range: 546 km) and costs 51,200 euros, while the Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack is the most expensive Polestar 2. You pay 66,400 euros for that.

What do I think of the Polestar 2?

For the first time in an electric car, I got the feeling that the battery was almost impossible to run empty. Even when it is cold or when you drive a lot, you should easily be able to reach 500 kilometers thanks to the new battery and the economical electric motor. If you do need to top up, you won't lose much time thanks to the charging capacity of 205 kW. The symbiosis of speed, economy and comfort, in combination with all the advantages of rear-wheel drive, makes the Polestar 2 even better than it already was. Too bad that a few desirable options only come in expensive packages, so that the price of the Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor rises well above 60,000 euros.