The Polestar 2 is a distinct segment participant in a reasonably area of interest phase of the Australian auto market.
The mid-size battery-electric liftback first launched right here in 2021, obtained slight beauty tweaks in 2022, and was given a extra vital overhaul underneath the pores and skin in 2023 that, most notably, switched it from front- to rear-wheel drive.
These had been all necessary – if not borderline necessary – enhancements for a mannequin that got here with a lot promise from an electrical car (EV) model whose Australian launch coincided with this very automotive’s.
Polestar now has three fashions on sale right here, and the Polestar 2 is each the most cost effective and the oldest. Which means the Chinese language-owned Swedish auto model has had loads of time to get a foothold out there with this automotive, and to ascertain it because the volume-seller of its vary.
However its greatest hurdles are twofold. It nonetheless prices a reasonably penny even on the backside of the vary, and Polestar is nowhere close to established sufficient in Australia to construct the belief and model loyalty essential to justify these costs, not to mention persuade folks to pay them.
The Polestar 2 got here into 2025 with price ticket that had been no less than $5000 decrease throughout the board than a 12 months in the past, which ought to have made it a extra compelling prospect for these out there for a medium electrical sedan, and which had been anticipated to spice up gross sales.
WATCH: Paul’s video evaluate of the 2023 Polestar 2 Lengthy vary Single motor
However that hasn’t occurred. And earlier than you think about its rivals, the Polestar 2 isn’t even Polestar’s best-selling car in Australia nowadays.
That distinction goes to the Polestar 4, a extra radical, rear window-less, mid-size SUV that prices practically $20,000 greater than the Polestar 2. The 4 has to date managed 245 gross sales in 2025, whereas the two has recorded simply 123 – which is no less than greater than the eye-wateringly costly Polestar 3 giant electrical SUV, which has discovered 21 new houses this 12 months.
In distinction, the Polestar 2’s most direct rival, the Tesla Mannequin 3, has attracted 2046 patrons to the tip of March 2025, whereas even the pricier BMW i4 notched up 309 gross sales and the cheaper BYD Seal managed 302. For some geographical context, the Mannequin 3 and Seal are additionally in-built China, however Tesla and BYD are extra established in Australia.
On take a look at right here is the Polestar 2 Lengthy Vary Single Motor, which sits one rung from the underside of a mannequin vary that gives distinctive Scandinavian design and tech, at a worth. Is it price paying further for a comparatively unknown EV?
How does the Polestar 2 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Polestar 2 towards equally sized automobiles.
Polestar
Polestar 2
How a lot does the Polestar 2 value?
The Lengthy Vary Single Motor is the second-cheapest Polestar 2 variant on sale in Australia, priced at $66,400 earlier than on-roads.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Polestar 2 Customary Vary Single Motor | $62,400 |
| 2025 Polestar 2 Lengthy Vary Single Motor | $66,400 |
| 2025 Polestar 2 Lengthy Vary Twin Motor | $71,400 |
| 2025 Polestar 2 Lengthy Vary Twin Motor with Efficiency Pack | $80,380 |
Throughout the board, it’s roughly $5000 cheaper now than it was as not too long ago as 2024. Which means it’s now nearer to the Mannequin 3 specifically, and subsequently a way more life like proposition for extra Australian EV patrons.
That doesn’t imply it’s low-cost although. Essentially the most comparable Mannequin 3 is the bottom RWD, which prices $54,900 earlier than on-roads. Stepping as much as the Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary brings the value to inside $1500 of the Polestar examined right here, however that mannequin has the benefit of all-wheel drive.
In the meantime, the complete Seal vary is significantly cheaper. The Dynamic and Premium are each rear-wheel drive and value $46,990 and $52,990 earlier than on-roads respectively, whereas the vary tops out at $61,990 earlier than on-roads for the all-wheel drive Efficiency.
There’s additionally the lower-volume Hyundai Ioniq 6, which begins at $67,300 earlier than on-roads.
To see how the Polestar 2 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
What’s the Polestar 2 like on the within?
Overwhelming in its simplicity, particularly should you’re coming from an older automotive.
There are hardly any buttons in right here – not bodily ones, anyway. Actually, it’s so sparse that there isn’t even a button to show the car on; you as a substitute simply hop in, choose Drive, and set off.
We’ll contact on that once more in our drive impressions additional down, however as somebody with restricted Polestar expertise earlier than driving the Polestar 2, I used to be thrown for a loop. We’d count on others to be the identical upon preliminary acquaintance, although not in the event that they’re used to Teslas.
When you’re in and have a second to soak all the things up, you’ll discover the Polestar 2 presents a snug, well-sorted inside. The seats are of a top quality in each their development and end, and are simply adjustable because of their powered motion.
A theme all through this automotive (and all different Polestars) is using environmentally pleasant supplies, which are likely to put on names like “animal welfare traced Nappa leather-based” or “vegan WeaveTech”.
Thankfully, there was no compromise on materials high quality, and all the things is snug and good to work together with – to not point out pleasing for these fearful about their carbon footprint. All the things in right here has a hint of Mini, no less than in look.
The dearth of… effectively, something, makes it a visually clear inside. Its headline function is that 11.15-inch portrait-style infotainment system, which is your main management centre for the complete car.
Leisure purposes are expectedly discovered right here, however it’s considerably disappointing that Apple CarPlay is barely wired, by way of both of two USB-C ports underneath the central show. That isn’t a dealbreaker – the Mannequin 3 doesn’t have CarPlay in any respect – however it’s one thing we wish to see for this cash.
As tends to be the case with wired cellphone mirroring connections, it’s no less than dependable and isn’t in any respect liable to dropping out on the transfer. When the CarPlay interface is open, Polestar’s brutalist icons and controls will nonetheless be accessible by way of everlasting ribbons on the high and backside of the show.
The underside is the place you’ll discover climate-related controls, and should you want greater than what’s sometimes proven, you may swipe up from the underside for extra nuanced settings.
It’s an identical story on the high, the place you might have shortcuts for digicam views, car settings, apps, and person profiles.
They’re all pretty self-explanatory, however it’s nonetheless price mentioning a few standout options. For one, the apps shortcut is the place you’ll discover the built-in Android Automotive program with Google integration.
It’s easy to navigate and takes the place of typical Android Auto. In right here can be the place you entry Apple CarPlay and different native apps just like the automotive’s vary assistant.
Throughout the car settings menu are the Polestar 2’s most vital features. Right here, you may change the best way the steering feels, which driver assists are energetic, how the motors behave, and absolutely anything else you’d need to fiddle with.
As soon as once more we’ll delve into this afterward, however the theme right here is simplicity. The menus are all populated by giant black and orange sq. buttons, with data offered in Polestar’s typical bland typeface.
It’s actually distinctive, and we received’t argue that having such daring and primary design parts is in any means distracting. In apply, these menus are exceptionally simple to navigate and skim at a look – greater than could be mentioned about a whole lot of new automobiles with mountains of scrollable menus.
The identical theme carries by to the instrument show. It’s a easy setup headlined by a stripped-back speedometer readout and energy meter, together with different primary data scattered across the place.
The very best half about it’s simply how practical it’s, and that it has Apple Maps integration. There isn’t even a lot to scroll by when it comes to separate menus; there’s solely a pair, and so they’re primarily there to indicate you journey data and power consumption.
That is opened utilizing the menu button on the precise of the steering wheel. Issues like quantity can be managed utilizing the directional buttons or the dial discovered on the centre console.
The one grievance we do have is relating to materials selection, as a result of whereas we do like the best way all of the ‘environmentally protected’ surfaces look, we don’t love using gloss black plastic, even when it isn’t all over the place. It’s present in locations just like the steering wheel, the place it’s plastered everywhere in the buttons.
There’s additionally slightly bit across the funky-looking gear selector, in addition to that small strip of controls forward of it. It appears to be like good new, particularly when offset by the light-coloured woodgrain paneling in our tester, however even the little bits get grubby far too rapidly.
Outdoors of that, the gear selector itself presents like an affordable piece of plastic, and it’s the one merchandise within the cabin to take action. Positive, there are another harder-wearing supplies to guard towards shoe marks, however they’re largely out of sight.
The illuminated Polestar emblem on the selector is a pleasant contact. We additionally just like the leather-wrapped steering wheel, which is ‘excellent’ in diameter and thickness, and presents a large degree of adjustment to swimsuit virtually all driving positions. Different areas, just like the armrests, are appropriately padded.
By way of storage, you might have two cupholders up entrance, although just one is uncovered; the opposite is contained in the central storage field and is removeable. Space for storing is compromised with it in place.
There are additionally storage slots and bottle holders within the doorways, slots within the sides of the centre console however with out a big tray or pass-through, and a conventional glovebox with no electrical opening like in different Polestars.
Moreover, you may tuck your cellphone away beneath the central show when plugged in, which can be the place you’ll discover the wi-fi charging pad.
Entering into the again of the Polestar 2 reveals a snug area. Headroom has been preserved as a result of the car doesn’t have a roof line that slopes aggressively in direction of the rear, however you’ll discover much less legroom than in a Mannequin 3.
Legroom for these seated within the center can even be compromised by fairly a big driveline tunnel, however no less than second-row occupants can bask underneath the panoramic glass roof on sunny days.
Objects for consolation again right here embody two rear-facing air vents – albeit with no separate local weather management interface – and two USB-C ports hidden underneath that round lid.
There’s additionally a fold-down central armrest with cupholders, together with storage nets on the entrance seatbacks and storage cubbies within the doorways.
Plus, you get extra of that high-quality upholstery. It’s simply disappointing that this car platform’s inner combustion roots corresponding to that raised centre hump proceed to compromise inside area.
The Polestar 2’s boot is suitable. Whilst you get loads of area, the load ground is pretty low in relation to the boot opening, making loading heavy gadgets more durable.
The ground is in any other case flat, and also you get a storage internet on the right-hand aspect to cease smaller gadgets rolling round. There’s additionally an under-floor cubby that’s comparatively deep, which is an ideal place to retailer gadgets like a charging cable.
Making it simpler to entry is a powered tailgate, which could be opened utilizing a button subsequent to the steering wheel. You may also unlock the tailgate alone by urgent the button on the important thing.
Regardless of being largely a screen-only inside, you’d be shocked how simple it’s to stand up to hurry. Then once more, it’s price weighing up whether or not you’ll be capable of keep affected person for the primary few months as you discover ways to stay with the Polestar 2.
It’s basically no completely different to some other Polestar, however we don’t blame you should you nonetheless desire a extra conventional setup.
| Dimensions | Polestar 2 |
|---|---|
| Size | 4606mm |
| Width | 1985mm |
| Top | 1479mm |
| Wheelbase | 2735mm |
| Cargo capability | 407L (rear seats up) 1097L (rear seats folded) 41L (under-bonnet storage) |
To see how the Polestar 2 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
What’s underneath the bonnet?
A storage cubby with 41 litres of capability. The Polestar 2 Lengthy Vary Single Motor drivetrain contains a single, rear-mounted electrical motor producing as much as 220kW of energy and 490Nm of torque, with power sourced from an 82kWh lithium-ion battery.
| Specs | Polestar 2 Lengthy Vary Single Motor |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 82kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Lithium-ion |
| Peak energy | 220kW |
| Peak torque | 490Nm |
| Drive sort | Rear-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 2009kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 6.2 seconds |
| Power consumption (claimed) | 14.9-15.8kWh/100km |
| Power consumption (as examined) | 15.1kWh/100km |
| Claimed vary | 659km |
| Max AC cost price | 11kW |
| Max DC cost price | 205kW |
| Braked towing capability | 1500kg |
Our week with the automotive concerned primarily freeway driving, with some inner-suburban stints additionally thrown in. Regardless of the EV-unfriendly freeway skew, our recorded power consumption was proper within the ballpark of what Polestar claims.
To see how the Polestar 2 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
How does the Polestar 2 drive?
As soon as once more in a no-frills trend, which we admire.
The driving course of begins whenever you unlock the car. As talked about above, there’s no begin/cease button to press when you’re inside and able to go.
As an alternative, the motive force should merely depress the brake pedal and shift into Drive, after which the Polestar 2 is then ‘on’. It’s complicated at first, particularly should you’ve not been proven across the automotive or are used to jamming a key into the ignition.
When you’re used to it although, you’ll discover it’s fairly intuitive and never too dissimilar to a Tesla. Not that urgent a button is prohibitively tough, however we like that you simply’re in a position to leap in and go on a whim, as long as the hot button is in your pocket.
To show it off, merely pop it in Park, get out, and lock the doorways. This can even take some getting used to, and also you’d be forgiven for struggling to belief that your automotive is off and locked, no less than within the teething part.
When you’re shifting, unassuming might be a phrase that will come to thoughts.
Even when the concrete-grey end utilized to our tester isn’t a lifeless giveaway, it’s not stunning that there are not any cutesy sounds or extravagant shows for the motive force to absorb whereas on the transfer.
As an alternative, it’s quiet, refined, and easily goes about its job routinely. That’s supported by a scarcity of intrusive driver help tech, in addition to that snug inside setup with unremarkable but practical ergonomics and assist.
A power is the Polestar 2’s cabin refinement. Travelling alongside at suburban speeds reveals little highway noise, with a lot of the sound you’ll hear coming from the car’s motors within the type of a refined whirr – that modifications on rural highways the place the asphalt tends to be a bit coarser.
The usual wheels and tyres fitted to our tester seemingly assist with this, no less than compared with the optionally available 20-inch options. These tyres additionally do effectively to maintaining the automotive’s weight in test, which at simply over two tonnes is nothing to sneeze at.
As is the case with many different EVs, this comparatively small-looking, jacked-up sedan is sadly fairly heavy. Regardless of that, Polestar has completed effectively to not solely masks that but in addition use it as a bonus.
For one, the trip is great. It is probably not as plush as a number of the bigger, costlier Polestars, however the suspension feels well-tuned and faithfully soaks up bumps and all method of imperfections. There’s an opulent high quality to the Polestar 2’s trip in consequence, even whether it is nonetheless on the sportier aspect.
The automotive feels firmly planted in any respect speeds, significantly on the freeway. That is the place the burden is a profit, and also you get the impression that it’s in a position to roll alongside like a reasonably smooth tank as a substitute of a tin can getting blown about by the wind.
One other power is how subtly fast the Polestar 2 could be. Though our tester was solely rear-drive mannequin, it nonetheless has delivers quietly assured 6.2-second 0-100km/h time, giving it the flexibility to scurry away from a cease and preserve you from dropping too many red-light drag races.
That’s on high of the Polestar 2 matching its respectable effectivity declare. I are likely to do a good bit of freeway driving, besides, it remained remarkably environment friendly.
Serving to that is its one-pedal driving system, which could be toggled between both ‘customary’, ‘low’, or ‘off’ utilizing the car settings menu on the central display screen. We discovered that even in its ‘low’ setting, the drive of the automotive’s regenerative braking was stronger than we might have anticipated.
‘Customary’ mode nonetheless behaves like a typical one-pedal driving setup, however I’d like better differentiation between the 2 modes. Perhaps that’s simply me, and it’s nonetheless pretty simple to be easy because of its progressive braking software.
Utilizing the standard brake pedal, in the meantime, can even cost the battery. Not like what we’ve seen in another EVs, the Polestar 2’s brake pedal nonetheless feels because it ought to, with none sponginess or glazed-disc emotions.
You’re additionally in a position to toggle auto-hold and choose whether or not or not the automotive will creep ahead from a standstill, as in an automated inner combustion automotive would, by the identical inside menu, alongside three completely different power settings for steering weight.
Switching stability management into Sport mode makes it attainable to kick out the automotive’s rear-end in corners, significantly when it’s moist. The only-motor Polestar 2s are nonetheless restrained sufficient to not buck you off if in case you have a heavy proper foot, and the others boast much more traction with all-wheel drive.
The steering is direct, responsive and feelsome for an EV, and the RWD Polestar 2’s dealing with is sharp sufficient to ship nice highway holding and forestall you from keeling over in higher-speed turns. The adjustability in steering really feel presents a very good vary for many tastes, and its unfettered point-and-go nature is a product of its rear-wheel drive format, since there’s no front-wheel drive torque steer to cope with.
To spherical it out, the Polestar 2 is solidified by the truth that it shares in Volvo’s respected security legacy. On this case you get Polestar’s Pilot Help, a well-tuned autonomous driving system that works reliably to match the pace of site visitors round whereas holding the automotive firmly in its lane.
It has no situation getting on top of things with adaptive cruise management energetic both. With these techniques off, the Polestar 2 received’t be preventing you for management if it thinks you’re getting too near the lane markings.
Which means you get the management of a conventional automotive with out the protection nannies present in a whole lot of newer ones. They’re all nonetheless there, in fact, simply patiently ready in case one thing goes genuinely mistaken.
All up, it’s a refined package deal that drives confidently and satisfyingly. There’s not quite a bit we’d change, besides maybe including an excellent softer suspension choice. For these with a sportier bent, there are additionally spicier dealing with goodies out there greater up within the Polestar 2 vary, like adjustable Öhlins dampers.
To see how the Polestar 2 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
What do you get?
Regardless of 4 obvious trim ranges, the Polestar 2 shares nearly all the identical tools throughout its vary.
2025 Polestar 2 tools highlights:
- 19-inch Aero alloy wheels with aero inserts
- Michelin Primacy 4 tyres
- Metallic paint
- Pixel LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
- LED entrance fog lights with cornering operate
- Automated high-beam
- Energy tailgate
- 11.15-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Android Automotive with Google built-in
- Apple CarPlay
- DAB+ digital radio
- Google service connectivity included for 3 years
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 4 x USB-C ports (two up entrance, two within the rear)
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- Eight-speaker 250W sound system
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Keyless entry and begin
- Charcoal headliner
- Embossed textile ‘vegan’ upholstery in Charcoal or Zinc with 3D etched deco
- Semi-electric entrance seats with four-way energy lumbar and driver’s reminiscence
- Heated entrance seats
- 60/40 cut up/fold rear seats
- ‘Mid-level’ inside illumination
To see how the Polestar 2 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
Choices
Three choice packs and a number of other standalone choices can be found for the Polestar 2.
Local weather pack: $1500
- Heated rear seats
- Heated wiper nozzles
- Heated steering wheel
- Warmth pump
Professional pack: $1900
- 20-inch Professional alloy wheels
- Black seatbelts with Swedish Gold striping
- Gold valve caps
Plus pack: $3900
- Fastened panoramic glass roof with projected Polestar image
- Electrically adjustable seats together with 4-way lumbar assist, driver seat reminiscence, entrance cushion leg extension and backrest storage nets
- WeaveTech seats in Charcoal or Slate with Black Ash decor inlays
- Polestar Digital key
- Air High quality – PM2.5 sensor and filter
- Excessive-level inside illumination
- LED entrance fog lights with cornering
- Energy-operated tailgate with hands-free opening and comfortable shut
- Rear load ground lid-in-lid with bag holder
Standalone choices, relying on the variant, embody:
- 20-inch Professional graphite alloy wheels ($600)
- Pixel LED headlights ($1600)
- Charcoal animal welfare-secured Nappa leather-based upholstery with ventilated entrance seats ($6000)
- Harman Kardon 600W, 13-speaker sound system ($1400, customary on Lengthy Vary Twin Motor)
- Tinted rear home windows ($400, customary on Lengthy Vary Twin Motor)
To see how the Polestar 2 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
Is the Polestar 2 protected?
The Polestar 2 has a five-star ANCAP security score based mostly on testing carried out by sister organisation Euro NCAP in 2021.
| Class | Polestar 2 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 92 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 87 per cent |
| Weak highway person safety | 80 per cent |
| Security help | 82 per cent |
Customary security tools contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Automobile, bike owner, pedestrian detection
- Steering assist
- Reverse AEB
- Blind-spot help
- Cross-traffic alert and help
- Run-off Street Mitigation
- Lane-keep help
- Put up-impact braking
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Entrance, rear and aspect parking sensors
- Encompass-view digicam
- Eight airbags: entrance, aspect, inner-side and curtain
- Adaptive cruise management
- Pilot Help
- Emergency cease help
To see how the Polestar 2 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
How a lot does the Polestar 2 value to run?
The Polestar 2 is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre car guarantee and an eight-year/160,000km high-voltage battery guarantee. Impressively, it additionally comes with 5 years of free scheduled servicing.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Polestar 2 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Battery guarantee | 8 years, 160,000km |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 2 years, 30,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years, 100,000km |
| Complete capped-price service value | Free |
To see how the Polestar 2 stacks up towards its rivals, use our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Polestar 2 Lengthy Vary Single Motor
Earlier than getting the keys to the Polestar 2, I wasn’t fairly positive what to anticipate.
It’s simple to take a look at and assume it’s one other electrical sedan – albeit one with a particular Scando design – that hardly ever seems within the wild, made by a model that also isn’t broadly recognized in Australia, no less than not in comparison with the likes of Tesla and its Mannequin 3.
However after you spend a while behind the wheel, and all these nuances hiding behind its comparatively understated exterior start to disclose themselves. The Polestar 2 well-built and rides like one thing a lot bigger and costlier – with out being excessively giant or exorbitantly costly.
That mentioned, the value continues to be a vital issue. Whereas it’s considerably cheaper than it was once, there’s no getting round the truth that the bottom Polestar 2 is quite a bit pricier than the comparable Mannequin 3, which can be an enormous turn-off for a lot of patrons.
Then, there’s the elephant within the room. BYD additionally builds its automobiles in the identical nation as Polestar and, for Australia, Tesla. However the Seal is the one electrical sedan priced from underneath $50,000 on this market.
It’s unlucky that costs for the Polestar 2 aren’t decrease nonetheless, even perhaps sub-$60,000 for the bottom Customary Vary, as a result of it’s an amazing automotive by any measure.
Its inside is snug and, regardless of being screen-heavy, nonetheless characteristically Polestar with its graphic design cues and basic format. House within the second row may positively be improved, however that might name for a basic structural change that’s unlikely to occur till the following era.
The reliance on tech is one thing that can be a studying curve for brand new homeowners, particularly these getting on in years or these coming from a car that’s. It’s 2025, and that’s one thing patrons should get used to when buying round within the new EV market, not simply within the comparatively unpopular sedan phase.
As a part of Polestar’s Australian catalogue, the two is sensible. It’s the smallest mannequin within the lineup and now the most cost effective by some margin. However when it nonetheless prices no less than $65k on the highway, some potential patrons will discover it tough to see the worth proposition.
The dearth of wi-fi Apple CarPlay continues to be a gripe too, particularly for a tech-focussed model like Polestar. Maybe an over-the-air replace will treatment this, however even then it’s laborious to see the two overtaking the Mannequin 3 to grow to be a favorite EV amongst personal clients any time quickly.
Nonetheless, I’ve seen extra Polestar 2s on Melbourne roads in current months, even when lots of them are rideshare automobiles. However everybody is aware of the Toyota Camry received’t be handing over the crown in that division with no combat both, so Polestar’s debut Australian mannequin may effectively be destined to stay area of interest for some time but.
Considering shopping for a Polestar 2? Get in contact with one in every of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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