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Polestar is Volvo's electric sub-brand, which means the Polestar 2 shares a lot with the Volvo XC40 Recharge electric SUV. (Polestar calls it the 2 because it's the brand's second vehicle; guess what they named the third one?) The proportions toe the line between car and crossover, and Polestar doesn't help clear up the confusion, calling its compact five-seat 2 a "liftback." That's a self-conscious word for a hatchback with sloping rear glass — similar to what Audi calls a Sportback.
Polestar made significant changes last year and it's doing the same for 2024. The most affordable 2 now has its single motor mounted on the rear axle instead of the front, and its battery pack grows from 78 kWh to 82 kWh. Dual-motor models keep the 78-kWh pack. New electric motors are both more powerful and more efficient; output for the single-motor rises from 231 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque to 299 hp and 361 lb-ft. The dual-motor now makes 421 hp and 546 lb-ft, up from 408 hp and 467 lb-ft. Range increases for the Polestar 2 too. The EPA rates the single-motor at a max 320 miles versus the 2023 model's max of 270 miles, while the dual-motor tops out at 276 miles, up from 260 miles.
Its high-riding stance puts the Polestar 2's silhouette between the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. Depending on equipment levels and drivetrains, it can line up against a variety of other EVs, from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to the Subaru Solterra/Toyota bZ4X twins, and from the Kia EV6 to the BMW i4. Whew. That's a lot of desirable vehicles.
Polestar offers both the single- and dual-motor 2s in either base form or with a Plus package. Its longer range and faster DC charging capability make the Long Range Single Motor our choice, and a minimal upcharge for the additional comfort and safety features makes the Pilot package a no-brainer.
Polestar somewhat misleadingly labels all 2024 Polestar 2 trim levels, both the single-motor and dual-motor configurations, as "long range." There is no shorter- or standard-range option. So don't read that phrase and think you overlooked something. You did not.
NOTE: This video is about the 2021 Polestar 2, but since the 2024 Polestar 2 is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Kia took a surprisingly sporty route with the EV6, which offers up to 576 horsepower in the all-wheel-drive GT trim. It'll accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, but the EV6 GT starts north of $60,000 and is only good for 206 miles per EPA estimates. Saner rear-wheel-drive trims are closer to the Polestar 2 both in range (up to 310 miles) and price.
Polestar may be a new brand, but its ties to Volvo are reassuring when it comes to reliability and longevity — especially compared to Tesla's inconsistent build quality. The Model 3's price of entry is significantly lower than the Polestar 2's, although there is a commensurate range penalty. Still, Tesla's ample storage space and available self-driving tech make it a practical choice.
Many carmakers are getting adventurous with EV styling because of the ease of packaging electrical components relative to internal combustion engines. But the BMW i4 just looks weird — because that's what modern BMWs do. At least it's familiar — and that applies to the interior, too. It's just as luxurious as any other 4 Series interior. You may not have guessed from looking at it, but the i4 is what Polestar would call a liftback too.
Polestar is the all-electric offshoot brand from Volvo, and the 2 shares much of its EV tech and underpinnings with the Volvo XC40 Recharge SUV. As a "liftback" — the sophisticated alias for a hatchback that looks like a sedan — the Polestar 2 is the brand's smallest car and has served as a viable alternative to the Tesla Model 3 since it debuted for 2020.
Changes to the 2024 Polestar 2 are big, and the biggest one of all is under the hood ... or more accurately, the trunk. Just like before, the Polestar will be offered with two powertrain configurations: single-motor and dual-motor. Only now, the single-motor version will have rear-wheel drive (RWD) instead of front-wheel drive (FWD). The switch from FWD to RWD should give the single-motor Polestar 2 a sportier feel when driving around corners.
Polestar says the single-motor 2 will be good for an EPA-estimated range of 320 miles on a full charge, which is a big jump from last year's 270-mile estimate. Dual-motor versions get a bump to 276 miles from 260 miles last year.
The Polestar 2 has always been sporty, the new updates for 2024 further solidify its status as a driver's EV. As you'd expect, the new rear-wheel-drive configuration has changed the feel behind the wheel significantly, but the surprise is in its refinement and maturity. Most EVs have plenty of power, but the Polestar 2 delivers it in a delightfully unique, mature and measured way.
Comfort isn't lacking whatsoever, but it won't be among the first associations with the Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 was never intended to be a cushy sedan, and its performance-associated firmness may take some getting used to. In particular, the cockpit feel of the driver's seat is tight; the large center console is tall and bulky and can make things feel a bit claustrophobic. But after putting in several hours with the car, I found the tightness melted away and the cocoon of the cockpit actually began to feel comforting. I loved the seats, especially the ventilated seats available with the Plus pack that kept me cool under the massive sunroof.
The Polestar 2's interior is textbook Scandinavian — modern, clean, minimal and stylish. It feels upscale, without the fussiness. The full-length panoramic roof is particularly key in keeping the cabin feel open and airy (it will cost you extra, though). A pleasing combination of buttons and knobs still exist in the Polestar 2 for various controls even though a sleek tablet-style display can be found in the center stack. A separate driver's display screen also exists in the instrument cluster with driving information.
Although abundant, the wonderful thing about the Polestar 2's tech is that it's not overwhelming. Akin to its simple, clean interior, the infotainment and safety technology is straightforward and intuitive. Polestar's tech game has always been strong — this was the first car to feature Google built-in, which seamlessly integrates your car's environment with the familiar Google interface we've all come to know and love. (Don't worry, — if you're not a fan of the Android OS, Apple CarPlay is still available.) You can access all of your Google Maps, Assistant, music and more while navigating a familiar interface. But the Polestar 2 also has heaps of driver assistance aids and safety features as well.
Edmunds saysThe updates to the 2024 Polestar 2 are significant. Already an attractive EV with loads of tech and driving personality, the Polestar 2 now goes further, charges quicker and is more efficient than before. We think these updates were definitely worth the wait and this is the Polestar 2 to get.
The Polestar 2 is the company's smallest car in a lineup that continues to grow with more all-electric offerings. For 2024, the EV hatchback gets a host of changes starting with a fresh design and some big powertrain tweaks to keep it competitive.
Just like before, the Polestar will be offered with two powertrain configurations: single motor and dual motor. Only this time around, the single-motor version will have rear-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive, making it a potentially better driver's car. The single motor can also eke out a bit more range, and Polestar expects an EPA-estimated range of up to 300 miles. Polestar also increased the charging rate, which is now up to 220 kW.
For those willing to trade range for more power, the dual-motor Polestar 2 packs 421 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to scoot the EV to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. With an estimated range of 270 miles, it can still travel plenty far for most people. If you desire even more performance goodies, Polestar is planning a limited run of the BST Edition 230.
Inside, the Polestar 2 features a lovely modern interior with matte wood options and soft vegan seating materials. While the infotainment system has a somewhat confusing layout, the Google integration makes for easy navigation, among other solid features.
The 2024 Polestar 2 stacks up nicely against its chief rival, the Tesla Model 3. Other Edmunds' favorites include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. We expect to drive and review the revised Polestar 2 later this year.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Polestar 2:
The least-expensive 2024 Polestar 2 is the 2024 Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor 4dr Hatchback (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $49,900.
Other versions include:
