Polestar’s first EV, the 2, is Scandi-cool on wheels and now a £12k bargain
Appearances can be deceptive.
The Polestar 2 might look like a high-riding saloon but it’s not. It’s actually a hatchback, so it’s more practical than its closest rival, the Tesla Model 3, yet sleeker and more handsome than a Model Y.
Buyers here have certainly cottoned on to this Scandi-chic EV’s charms, to the extent that the UK is its largest market. As a result, there is an abundance of used examples, starting from £12,000, although it’s worth quizzing the seller about any reliability gremlins as some owners have reported issues.
Since the 2’s launch in 2020, its look has changed very little – despite some major mechanical changes – and that’s no bad thing. The minimalist exterior still comes across as clean and fresh, and the cabin remains inviting and modern. Plus, even the oldest 2s don’t look outdated next to a brand-new one.
The interior is a big draw. You sit lower than you might expect and the control layout and displays are simple yet relatively ergonomic. There is a dearth of buttons, but permanent shortcut keys on the infotainment screen help to make navigating it simple. The chunky volume knob and fabric dashboard are especially nice touches and there’s a variety of materials and leather colours around.
The front seats provide good lateral support and remain comfortable even on a run that pushes the 409-mile maximum claimed range. In the back, it’s generous for leg room, though adults might find the head room slightly tight. The boot is 405 litres, the hatch opening makes it easy to access and there’s an underfloor space for the charging cable, although owners often prefer to use the 43-litre frunk for that.
On 19in wheels, the 2 strikes a BMW-esque balance between suppleness and body control. The ride is firm but never sends jolting shocks into the cabin and it remains composed even on the most rutted, undulating roads. On 20s, it becomes a little too crashy. Around corners, the effects of the two-tonne kerb weight are kept in check, making the car feel smaller and sportier than it actually is. When fitted with the manually adjustable Öhlins dampers (standard with the Performance), the ride can be set anywhere between track-ready stiffness and even greater control and pliancy than the standard set-up offers.
All Polestar 2s are enjoyable to drive, but in early 2023 the Single Motor version switched from front- to rear-wheel drive, which took it from capable to genuinely satisfying around corners, with a better sense of balance and even some playful throttle-adjustability.
The 2 does without traditional equipment-based trim levels. Instead, there’s a choice of Standard Range, Long Range and Long Range Performance. For pre-2023 cars, that means an official range of roughly 275, 345 and 300 miles respectively, but that has since grown to 344, 409 and 352 miles.
Long Range cars can also be had in Dual Motor four-wheel-drive form (standard on the Performance), which cuts 25 miles or so from the range but boosts power beyond 400bhp. Polestar was conceived by Volvo as a sportier, electric brand and its first series-production car shows resoundingly what an enticing blend of attributes that brings. Even at six years old, it’s a thoroughly competitive and attractive proposition, and pretty amazing value as a used buy.
What to look out for
Powertrain: A quiet whine or hum, or grinding in regen mode, can be a sign of the front motor giving up on pre-facelift Dual Motor versions. Expect a bill as high as £5000 if the car is out of warranty.
Boot struts: They are a known weak point, failing frequently on cars with an automatic tailgate. Dealers want £1300 for the repair, but it’s a reasonably easy DIY fix for £200.
12V battery: It can die prematurely, especially if the car is subjected to particularly cold weather. Dealers may charge as much as £500 for a replacement, but it can be done yourself in less than an hour.
Interior: A damper motor short-circuiting in the dashboard can stop the demister working, or even prevent warm air from blowing out the right-hand side of the interior. The V-Tool app can help to diagnose the problem, as well as recalibrating other glitchy software such as the 360deg camera.
Heated seats: They’re known to fail. Polestar will generally sort the problem free of charge, even when the car is out of warranty.
Also worth knowing
We have run two Polestar 2s as long-term test cars and we enjoyed both of them thoroughly. Over 10,000 miles in a 2021 Performance, we clocked an average range of 200-230 miles. But over another 10,000 miles in a 2023 rear-wheel-drive Long Range, we returned an impressive 4.0mpkWh average efficiency and real-world 316-mile range.
There was a short-lived sports version called the BST, which delivered the same 469bhp and 501lb ft as the Performance, but with 21in forged alloys wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tyres, a 25mm suspension drop and additional bracing, it meant business. It also meant a very fidgety ride and was too heavy to be serious fun – but there’s little out there with this sort of pace for around £30k.
Talking of which, Single Motor 2s are quick enough, at around 6sec to 62mph. Dual Motor models drop that to around 4sec.
How much to spend
£12,000-£15,999 Early, high-mileage examples. Plenty have done in excess of 100,000 miles but wear the mileage well.
£16,000-£20,999 Sub-50,000-mile, pre-2023 cars. Neither Long Range nor Dual Motor models command a significant premium over standard 2s.
£21,000-£25,999 Where the 2023 ‘facelift’ 2s start. Cars with the optional bigger alloy wheels cost a little more but have a worse ride and slightly shorter range.
£26,000-£59,000 A 2025 car can be had at a £20,000 discount from new. About £38k can buy a Performance with delivery miles.
An owner’s view
John Barry: “While I love the way my 2022 Polestar 2 looks, drives and feels, I don’t love how unreliable it has been. I’ve had it from new and it repeatedly had software glitches for the first few years. These have now slowed down, but the boot struts have recently failed. I’ve decided to buy an extended warranty beyond the standard three years because I do enjoy the car so much, other than its foibles.”
