Suttie’s seven days… with a Polestar 2
Road tester Al Suttie heads behind the wheel of the stylish Polestar 2 electric hatchback for a week.
Polestar 2 78kW 170 Long Range Single Motor
List price (BiK): £46,395 (2%) CO2: 0g/km Range: 335 Test efficiency: 282-mile range
Monday
The first time I tried a Polestar 2 a couple of years back, I was left feeling the Volvo offshoot had the EV market nailed. This is the first time, however, I’ve had a Polestar 2 that I can spend more time with and find out how it fits into everyday life. And for full disclosure, I own a Volvo and I’m a big fan of the way the company’s cars are generally laid out and function.
Tuesday
On arrival, the Polestar had 85% battery charge and was reading 240 miles of range. This proved to be accurate today during some of the usual driving duties for work and kids. Covering around 80 miles across three trips, the range dropped to 150 miles, which is better than most EVs manage. I was also using the air conditioning and heated seat, which take a small toll on the range.
Wednesday
The 2 is a bigger car than the styling suggests, which is fine for interior comfort and space. The boot is a good size and had not trouble holding a flip chart for a presentation today in Edinburgh. This meant a round trip of 90 miles, which saw the range drop to around 14% and meant a stop-off on the way home to plug in the Polestar at a local charging station. Luckily, my wife picked me up and we returned five hours later to the car on 81% battery charge.
Thursday
Putting some more tuff in the boot of the Polestar, it’s a practical size but the load cover feels just too flimsy for a car of this price. Given the Polestar is up against some very able competitors, this is the sort of small detail that can undermine a sense of quality. There is also a cheapness to some of the interior plastics, notably around the seat belt point on the B-pillar, that I find very disappointing.
Friday
The Polestar 2 that’s been loaned to me comes on the £900 optional 20-inch wheels. Frankly, if you order this model, save the money and stick with the standard wheels as these larger ones ruin the ride. My previous time with the 2 left an impression of a comfortable car, but this one has a fidgety ride and way too much road noise can be heard in the cabin. It makes the car just too unrefined next to the likes of the Škoda Enyaq.
Saturday
There are some cracking details in the Polestar 2, such as the company logo set into the gear selector and the chequer style of the trim surrounding it. I’m also a fan of the simple rotary dial for the stereo, which makes it quick and easy to sort volume and radio station. The infotainment screen is standard Volvo/Polestar fare and easier than most to use, and it has good screen resolution.
Sunday
This particular Polestar 2 has the £3,000 optional Pilot Pack, which bundles together a host of safety kit. All of it is unobtrusive in day-to-day driving conditions and Polestar has pulled off the impressive trick of lane keep assist that doesn’t chime in at the merest hint of a white line. On many of the narrow and A- and B-roads I use regularly, this is very welcome and shows other carmakers it can be done.
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