Polestar is a sub-brand of Volvo focused on designing and manufacturing sustainable hybrid and electric cars on stand-alone chassis which means that they do share parts with Volvo cars while still being unique. The first car Polestar ever released was the Polestar 1 back in 2017 and the Polestar 2 followed a few years later.
The Polestar 1 is going to cease production by the end of 2021 while the production of the Polestar 2 should also start by the end of 2021. This does not mean that the Polestar 2 is here to replace the Polestar 1 but rather kick-start the upcoming 100% electric Polestar line-up.
As such, the differences between the Polestar 1 and the Polestar 2 are large because the Polestar 1 is more of a halo car designed to increase brand appeal and create interest in Polestar in general. That’s why the Polestar 1 is so expensive and limited while also being technologically advanced and drop-dead gorgeous.
However, the Polestar 2 is not nearly as exciting or desirable as the Polestar 1 because it’s more of a true car than it is a showcase of what a brand is capable of if money is no object. In order to fully understand the differences between these two, be sure to read this article.
Polestar 1 – The first Polestar model
Back in 2016, Volvo has announced that they are going to stop making performance-rated Polestar models because Polestar is now going to be a standalone brand focused on cars from the future. This means that Polestar was to Volvo what AMG is to Mercedes, but this is now gone with the release of the pioneering Polestar 1.
The Polestar 1 was designed to showcase what Polestar can do when they are free to design a car without considering the priorities of the current car market. This means that the Polestar 1 is a grand tourer sports car designed for cross-continental journeys in both style and comfort.
The Polestar is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder making around 375hp mixed with two electric engines making 114hp each. All of this totals at 600hp which is enough to push the Polestar 1 from 0-60mph in just 4 seconds.
The Polestar 1 costs $150k and Polestar is only making 150 of these per year which means that only 750 of these are even going to be produced. The Polestar 1 has an electric-only range of 54 miles thanks to a 34kWh battery.
Polestar 2 – The one you should get
The Polestar 1 was not designed to compete with other cars on the market because Polestar never intended the Polestar 1 to be a mass-produced automobile. This is why the Polestar 2 exists which is eventually going to be followed by more Polestar products in the next five years.
The Polestar 2 is a true competitive EV focused on stealing Tesla Model 3 customers because it offers a similar experience. The Polestar 2 starts at around $45,900 which makes it very competitive with the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model Y.
You can opt to get the standard 64kWh version with around 190 miles of range or you can upgrade to the Long-Range model which should give you around 230 miles of range from its 78Kwh battery. The peak charging rate is around 150kWh which means that you can recharge the Polestar 2 fully in less than 2 hours by using a fast charger.
The Polestar 2 is not limited in production and is not as desirable as the Polestar 1. It is also a full-on electric car while the Polestar 1 is technically a hybrid.
Polestar 3 – The next Polestar model expected to be released in 2022
Polestar says that they are 100% interested in making electric cars which means that they are not keen on waiting to release the next Polestar model which is likely going to be the Polestar 3 SUV. According to a few spy shots and even official Polestar images, the Polestar 3 is going to be a compact SUV aimed at the Tesla Model Y.
Polestar aims to release two more models by 2025 which should consist out of a sedan, a small car, and likely a larger SUV. The Polestar 3 aims to position itself as a sporty electric SUV that combines urban driveability and exciting handling.
This probably means that Polestar is keen on using all the knowledge they accumulated from designing the Polestar 1 and bringing it into a more approachable car. Polestar has not yet released the pricing for the Polestar 3, but it is expected to cost around $40-$60k.
FAQ Section
Is the Polestar 2 a good car?
The Polestar 2 is a really good EV because it combines practicality, efficiency, size, and affordability considering what it offers. As such, you should consider the Polestar 2 if you are interested in buying an EV as your next car.
However, the Tesla Model 3 is arguably a better proposition because you can use Tesla’s supercharger network which can not be matched by any other charging network provider. Either way, both of these are incredibly competitive so cross-shopping between these two can not be avoided.
Can Polestar become the best EV company on the market?
It seems like Polestar is equally as ambitious as every other EV company out there because they are planning to increase their market presence 5-fold before the end of 2025. This means that Polestar is going all out with everything they have to offer the most competitive EVs on the market.
Considering the fact that they are being backed by Volvo which is a long-lasting company known for making safe and quality-made cars, Polestar should become a competitive company in the upcoming years.
Is the Polestar 1 worth the money?
Justifying a $150k car is a rather difficult idea if you deem cars as A to B workhorses, so you should not even try to justify it if that is what you are thinking. However, if you are a car enthusiast and you love exciting and new stuff, the Polestar 1 might seem a bit more reasonable.
However, because Polestar is only planning on making 750 of these in total and that the general market interest is relatively high which is further reiterated by Polestar officially confirming that Polestar 1 models are already sold, the Polestar 1 should not lose its value in the coming years.
