2025 Polestar 2

Name: 2025 Polestar 2 Review
Brand: Polestar

Release Date: On sale now

Estimated Price: Starting around $64,800

The 2025 Polestar 2 has been streamlined to just one fully loaded performance model that's packed with power and tech. Its sporty design is backed by an engaging driving experience thanks to the newly standard Performance Pack. Fortunately, the performance upgrades don't sacrifice comfort. But this year's changes have increased the Polestar 2's starting price and reduced its maximum driving range.Read full review

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2025 Polestar 2 Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Quick acceleration
Pleasing balance of sharp handling and a comfortable ride
Stylish interior

Cons

Only available in one model
Not much interior storage space for small items
Relatively low driving range

What's new

Lineup trimmed to just a dual-motor performance model
Performance Pack gets an additional 21 horsepower
Part of the first Polestar 2 generation introduced for 2021

Overview

The Polestar 2 is the brand's longest-running model because it's the only electric vehicle the EV startup has sold until recently. The Polestar 3 SUV and Polestar 4, an SUV with sporty coupe-like styling, recently joined the lineup. The 2 is a sleek lifted compact sedan with a hatchback-style trunk and it's about the size of a Hyundai Ioniq 5. It's a good alternative to a traditional SUV if you're looking for something more distinctive-looking, but you don't mind less cargo and passenger space. Thanks to this year's changes, the Polestar 2 is now just a performance machine.

Edmunds spotlight: A slimmed-down lineup for 2025

The starting price of Polestar 2 increased significantly this year because Polestar discontinued both the base single-motor model and the standard dual-motor model. For 2025, the 2 is only available in one configuration: Long Range Dual Motor with the Performance Pack. That's right, the Performance Pack, which adds several performance upgrades, is now standard along with all other option packages that were previously optional. The only notable optional feature is leather upholstery that also comes with ventilated front seats. The higher starting price is justifiable now that the Polestar 2 is a 476-horsepower performance EV that boasts an extensive list of standard features. If the 2025 Polestar 2 is now out of your budget, consider the more affordable Polestar 4.

Competitors to consider

Now that the Polestar 2 is only offered as a performance model, its rivals include other performance electric sedans like the BMW i4 M50, a solid electric sport sedan that can get pricey as you start adding options. You should also consider the recently upgraded and more affordable Tesla Model 3 Performance. Other options include the tech-forward Genesis GV60 Performance and the very capable but less luxurious Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below for a detailed review of the Polestar 2.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

8.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the 2 drive? We tested a dual-motor Polestar 2 with the Performance Pack. At the Edmunds test track, it sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, making it one of the quicker EVs in its class. There's plenty of power available, so you'll never be left wanting on a highway entrance ramp or when passing slow-moving traffic.

The Performance Pack includes Öhlins dampers, Brembo brakes, 20-inch wheels and some sweet-looking gold seat belts. The dampers are manually adjustable, so you (or your Polestar service center) can dial in your preferred settings. The suspension does a good job of hiding the car's sizable weight, keeping body roll and brake dive in check.

Braking performance itself was solid, with short, consistent stops at our test track and smooth braking on the street. We found the pedal itself a bit stiff, but actual stopping power was never in doubt. The Polestar 2 allows for full one-pedal driving. The steering effort is light, which makes the car easy to park but saps some of the fun from the driving experience.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the 2? Polestar has done an excellent job of making the 2 comfortable. The ride is compliant without being overly soft, even with the Performance Pack's sport-tuned Öhlins dampers and 20-inch wheels. The front seats have enough cushioning and support to make long drives comfortable, though we found the upholstery doesn't breathe well unless you opt for the pricey leather upholstery. It's quiet, too, with only a mild amount of wind and road noise apparent at highway speeds.

All Polestar 2 models come standard with dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front and rear seats. Cars with leather upholstery also get ventilated front seats. The climate control system works quickly to heat or cool the cabin.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The Polestar 2 uses a Google-based touchscreen interface that's reliable and easy to use. Most of the other controls are straight from sister company Volvo and require some time to get familiar with. Those include the window switches, steering wheel and turn signal stalks. The steering wheel controls in particular can be cumbersome because it's not immediately obvious what many of the buttons control or adjust.

The Polestar 2 isn't a large car, but it provides a decent amount of space for both front and rear passengers. The car's small size makes getting in and out of tight parking spots relatively easy, though we wish the doors opened a bit wider for easier entry and exit. Visibility is aided by relatively large side windows and mirrors. The rear window is narrow, however, so we're thankful for the standard surround-view camera system. That said, the resolution from the cameras is lacking compared to what you get with a Tesla or BMW.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? Polestar's tech has improved since it launched thanks to a handful of over-the-air updates. The 2 now includes Android Auto in addition to Apple CarPlay, though neither is wireless. A wireless charging pad is standard, as are four USB-C charging ports. The Google-backed infotainment system uses apps like Google Maps for navigation and Google Assistant for voice commands. Both are excellent, especially if you log in with a Google account. Voice commands can be used for everything from navigation to climate control to checking the weather.

Polestar includes a decent number of standard driver aids like blind-spot warning and parking sensors. Polestar's Pilot Pack, which is now standard, adds adaptive cruise control, a lane keeping system and more. We found the features generally work well, without excessive braking or accelerating with adaptive cruise control and no real false alarms with the emergency braking system.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The Polestar 2 has both a hatchback-style trunk and a very small front trunk. The rear cargo area seems larger than its official 14.2-cubic-foot capacity would suggest and the hatchback-style opening makes loading cargo fairly easy. The 60/40-split folding seats open up the area further. Still, you'll get more space from comparable SUVs such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The Polestar 2 does have a 2,000-pound factory tow rating, which isn't a lot of weight, but some rivals aren't rated to tow anything.

Small-item storage isn't so great. The center battery tunnel cuts into space that would otherwise be for stowing small items. Cupholders are concealed under a sliding and folding armrest, so you have to choose between drinks or an elbow rest. Most other cubbies are modestly sized. Got kids? The rear seat has Isofix anchor points located under plastic tabs. Most child safety seats should fit OK, though installing a rear-facing seat will limit how far back you can scoot the front seats.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Range and Efficiency

7/10

How are the range and efficiency? [Editor's note: We tested a 2024 Polestar 2. Range estimates are slightly different for 2025 but know that our general observations still apply.] The 2024 Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor with the Performance Pack had an EPA-estimated 247 miles of range on a full charge. Our test vehicle managed to exceed the EPA estimate in the Edmunds EV Range Test. We drove 268 miles on a single charge, and our consumption figure of 32 kWh of electricity used for every 100 miles of driving matched the EPA's estimate. Overall, the Polestar 2's range is adequate for a performance-oriented EV.

Value

7.5/10

Is the 2 a good value? Polestar borrows a lot from sister company Volvo, giving it a distinctly European look and feel. The interior is stylish and simple, though the sea of black surfaces can be a bit drab after a while. The materials, even the plastic bits, feel premium, but improvements in rivals no longer make the Polestar a standout. Pricing undercuts some other luxury EVs like the BMW i4 M50, but the Polestar is priced substantially higher than the Tesla Model 3.

Part of that premium price does include a decent warranty and some other ownership benefits. Polestar's four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty are pretty standard for the class. Polestar also includes roadside assistance for four years/50,000 miles and three years/30,000 miles of service visits.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor with the Performance Pack can be a good bit of fun to drive. The Dual Motor's torque makes it feel quick everywhere, and the adjustable suspension does an excellent job of keeping body motions in check. It feels like a proper sport sedan, giving you enough engagement to feel fun without horribly sacrificing comfort or drivability. We just wish it did more to stand out. The 2 is a handsome car, but the subtle badging makes it look a bit like a Volvo without logos rather than a distinct model.

Which 2 does Edmunds recommend?

With only the Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack model to choose from, you just need to decide what interior and exterior colors you want and whether you want the leather upholstery that also comes with ventilated front seats. All of the optional packages are now standard for 2025. If you plan on towing, make sure to get the optional tow hitch.

2025 Polestar 2 First Impressions

by Dan Frio

•3/19/2025

Overview

The 2025 Polestar 2 will continue anchoring the ambitious Swedish automaker's lineup, which will soon include a compact SUV (the imaginatively named Polestar 3), a sleek coupe-style SUV, a larger touring sedan and a roadster. With big plans for the rest of the portfolio, maybe it's no surprise that the Polestar 2, after receiving updates for 2024, will roll into 2025 with only minor, mostly cosmetic, upgrades. More notable is what Polestar has peeled away. The entry-level single-motor trim is gone, replaced by a lone dual-motor high-performance trim to keep pace with rivals from Tesla, Genesis and BMW.

Edmunds spotlight: Compact size, big performance

The 2025 Polestar 2's changes include new 19-inch and 20-inch wheels and two new colors. The bigger news is that the dual-motor all-wheel drive version now comes with last year's Performance Pack as standard equipment. That means an upgraded sport suspension with adjustable dampers from fellow Swedes, Ohlins Racing, more powerful Brembo brakes, and stickier performance tires. The powertrain has also been boosted to 476 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque, good enough for covering zero to 60 mph in just 4 seconds, according to Polestar. That kind of stout performance takes a toll on range but still offers up 254 miles. And when the speedy hatch/lift/fastback design mashup runs low on enthusiasm, it can recharge from 10% to 80% in about 28 minutes on a fast-charging connection, or about eight hours to completely refill on a standard 240-volt home outlet or Level 2 public charger.

Competitors to consider

If you're not particular about performance, the Volvo C40 Recharge offers a more low-key alternative. The Volvo and Polestar 2 are built on the same platform, are roughly the same size, and cost about the same in equal spec. The Volvo offers more choice and a roomier back seat but isn't quite as invigorating. If you prefer an SUV version and can't wait for the Polestar 3, there's also the related Volvo XC40 Recharge. But in this class, it's hard to beat the BMW i4, which costs more but also offers more range and a larger trunk, or the Tesla Model 3 with its impressive long legs and distance on a full charge.

Edmunds says

The Polestar 2 will continue offering compact luxury EV performance while the automaker fills out other niches.

2025 Polestar 2

2025 Polestar 2 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds spotlight: A slimmed-down lineup for 2025

Competitors to consider

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Range and Efficiency

Value

Wildcard

Which 2 does Edmunds recommend?

Overview

Edmunds spotlight: Compact size, big performance

Competitors to consider

Related 2025 Polestar 2 info

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