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Polestar 2

Long Range Dual Motor: 3 metric tons cut from its cradle-to-gate carbon footprint since launch.1

Researched October 26, 2026 from 33 sources

Also called

  • BeastVisitors and passersby gave a secret Polestar 2 prototype this name in summer 2020; it became the basis for the BST name.2

At a glance

0250500
221–469 hpPower
0510
4–7 s0–60 mph
0125250
160–205 km/hTop speed
0400800
330–740 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,940–2,185 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.51317

Engine
Single/dual electric motors; MY2024 AWD adds a front induction motor515
Layout
Early Single Motor: FWD; MY2024+: RWD; Dual Motor: AWD5
Gearbox
Single-speed direct drive (single- and dual-motor versions)1216
Built at
China: Luqiao CMA Super Factory; BST edition 270 at Polestar Chengdu510

The story

Built as Polestar's first volume EV to challenge the Tesla Model 3, the 2 pairs Scandinavian minimalism and recycled cabin materials with a life-cycle assessment and blockchain-traced minerals.134

2019: First volume EV revealed with 660 Nm20192020: Luqiao production brings native Android20202021: A 469 hp upgrade arrives over the air20212022: Single Motor trades speed for price · BST edition 270: just 270 cars20222023: MY2023: heat pump works down to 20°F · MY2024 switches Single Motor to RWD20232025: MY2025: up to 659 km claimed range20252026: Snapdragon, Prime Pack and CATL battery2026 Volvo Concept 40.2: 2016Polestar 2 (first generation) (P317): 2020–presentP317Polestar 2 (second generation, planned): 2027 (planned) 2016201820202022202420262028
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones3523
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2016Volvo Concept 40.2
2020–presentPolestar 2 (first generation) (P317)
2027 (planned)Polestar 2 (second generation, planned)
2019First volume EV revealed with 660 Nm
2020Luqiao production brings native Android
2021A 469 hp upgrade arrives over the air
2022Single Motor trades speed for price
2022BST edition 270: just 270 cars
2023MY2023: heat pump works down to 20°F
2023MY2024 switches Single Motor to RWD
2025MY2025: up to 659 km claimed range
2026Snapdragon, Prime Pack and CATL battery
  1. 2019

    First volume EV revealed with 660 Nm

    The February 27 reveal puts two motors, 660 Nm and a 78 kWh battery on CMA, with a launch target of 500 km WLTP range.35

  2. 2020

    Luqiao production brings native Android

    March production begins at China's Luqiao CMA Super Factory. The 2 is the first car with native Android Automotive and Google built-in.56

  3. 2021

    A 469 hp upgrade arrives over the air

    The Long Range Dual Motor gains an OTA performance upgrade: 469 hp, 680 Nm and a claimed 4.2-second 0-60 mph time.7

  4. 2022

    Single Motor trades speed for price

    The US Single Motor starts at $45,900 MSRP. Front-wheel drive brings a 6.8-second 0-60 mph test result versus the Dual Motor's 4.1.89

  5. 2022

    BST edition 270: just 270 cars

    Inspired by the 2021 Goodwood Experimental car, the BST adds two-way Öhlins dampers, a 25 mm lower stance and bespoke tires on 21-inch wheels.1011

  6. 2023

    MY2023: heat pump works down to 20°F

    The Plus Pack heat pump's optimal range expands to 20-77°F. US Dual Motor EPA range rises from 401 to an estimated 418 km; Performance Pack adds power.8

  7. 2023

    MY2024 switches Single Motor to RWD

    Revealed in January, MY2024 moves Single Motor drive to the rear. Long Range Single Motor gains an 82 kWh battery and up to 205 kW DC charging.512

  8. 2025

    MY2025: up to 659 km claimed range

    Australia's MY2025 Long Range Single Motor claims 659 km; Dual Motor has 82 kWh and 205 kW DC charging. Braked towing is 1,500 kg.13

  9. 2026

    Snapdragon, Prime Pack and CATL battery

    MY2026 gains Snapdragon infotainment, optional 14-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio and Prime Pack; Standard Range switches to a 70 kWh CATL battery.14

Power over the years

From 402 hp to 469 hp in 2 years.

0200400600 20182020202220242026 hp 2019 · 402 hp · Launch Dual Motor (300 kW)2021 · 221 hp · Europe Standard Range Single Motor2021 · 469 hp · Long Range Dual Motor OTA upgrade2022 · 228 hp · Single Motor (FWD)2022 · 469 hp · BST edition 2702023 · 469 hp · BST edition 2302024 · 295 hp · Single Motor RWD2024 · 416 hp · Dual Motor (base)2024 · 449 hp · Dual Motor Performance Plus2025 · 268 hp · Australia Single Motor (200 kW)2025 · 469 hp · Australia Dual Motor Performance 469 hp Long Range Dual Motor OTA upgrade 402 hp Launch Dual Motor (300 kW)
2357910121318
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2019402Launch Dual Motor (300 kW)
2021221Europe Standard Range Single Motor
2021469Long Range Dual Motor OTA upgrade
2022228Single Motor (FWD)
2022469BST edition 270
2023469BST edition 230
2024295Single Motor RWD
2024416Dual Motor (base)
2024449Dual Motor Performance Plus
2025268Australia Single Motor (200 kW)
2025469Australia Dual Motor Performance

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Standard Range Single Motor

    2025

    268 hp

  • Standard

    Long Range Single Motor

    2025

    268 hp
  • Long Range Dual Motor

    Standard

    Long Range Dual Motor

    2025

    416 hp

  • Standard

    Climate pack

    2025

  • Special

    Pro pack

    2025

  • Standard

    Prime Pack

    2026

  • Special

    Launch Edition

    2021

    402 hp

  • Performance

    Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack

    2025

    469 hp

  • Performance

    Performance software upgrade

    469 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Five-door liftback shape with a slightly raised, SUV-like stance.521
  • Volvo-like Thor's Hammer headlights extend their center light bars toward the grille.22
  • Thin rear lighting traces a squared clamp around a recessed panel.22
  • Body-color cross-shaped badges on the hood and rear carry no lettering.20

Year by year

  1. 2023

    Space metallic black and Jupiter gold-gray with red flake joined the palette; both 19- and 20-inch wheel designs changed.8

  2. 2024

    The black grid grille gives way to the SmartZone panel, with sensors and a camera in the center.51222

  3. 2025

    Australian cars gain standard 19-inch Aero wheels with inserts; Vapour and Storm replace Magnesium and Thunder.13

  4. 2026

    Dune sandy mica paint replaces Jupiter; Performance Pack gets new five-spoke 20-inch forged wheels.14

  5. 2026

    Optional rear privacy tint extends to the rear side windows as well as the tailgate glass.14

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Polestar 2
    2
    Photo of a Tesla Model 3
    Tesla Model 3

    Tesla Model 3

    The Polestar sits taller, with black A-pillars, chunky rear pillars and a sharply sloped rear window.22

  • Photo of a Polestar 2
    2
    Photo of a Volvo XC40
    Volvo XC40

    Volvo XC40

    The XC40 is a compact SUV; the Polestar 2 uses a sedan-like, five-door liftback body.52122

Against its rivals

  • Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited Long Range AWD

    2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited Long Range AWD

    97–0 km/h braking lower is better

    232.6 m
    Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited Long Range AWD39 m
    15
  • Tesla Model 3 Highland (Single Motor)

    2 vs Tesla Model 3 Highland (Single Motor)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    25.3 s
    Tesla Model 3 Highland (Single Motor)5.6 s
    16

Prices

Value today $18.6K–$32.1K2930

Price when newValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 2022202420262028 Value today: $18,550–$32,100 2022 · $45,900 · US MSRP, Single Motor2022 · $49,900 · US MSRP, Dual Motor2023 · $48,400 · US MSRP, Single Motor2023 · $51,900 · US MSRP, Dual Motor
8
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2022Price when new$45,900US MSRP, Single Motor
2022Price when new$49,900US MSRP, Dual Motor
2023Price when new$48,400US MSRP, Single Motor
2023Price when new$51,900US MSRP, Dual Motor
2026Value today$18,550–$32,100

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Flash Engineering came before the electric cars”
    • “Family Switch's family car”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 33 sources
  1. Sustainability Credentials - Polestar 2 | Polestar polestar.com
  2. Polestar Concept BST: Everything you need to know polestar.com
  3. Polestar Reveals New Polestar 2 prnewswire.com
  4. Polestar 2, the Swedish Electric Car Embracing Sleek Scandinavian Design | AnOther anothermag.com
  5. Polestar 2 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Polestar 2 - Infotainment features | Polestar UAE polestar.com
  7. Polestar 2 Performance Software Upgrade polestar.com
  8. Polestar shares US pricing for 2023 model year Polestar 2, starting below $49,000 | Electrek electrek.co
  9. Tested: 2022 Polestar 2 Single Motor Is Cheaper but Slower caranddriver.com
  10. BST edition 270: the performance-oriented Polestar 2 polestar.com
  11. Polestar 2 BST 270 Edition 2022 review | evo evo.co.uk
  12. Tested: 2024 Polestar 2 Is Worth a Second Look caranddriver.com
  13. 2025 Polestar 2 price and specs | CarExpert carexpert.com.au
  14. Polestar 2 updated with new features, including upgraded processor chip and Bowers & Wilkins audio option | WebWire webwire.com
  15. 2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland AWD vs. Hyundai Ioniq 6 AWD vs. Polestar 2 AWD Comparison Test Review motortrend.com
  16. 2024 Polestar 2 RWD First Test Review: Feeling Better motortrend.com
  17. Polestar 2 Tech Specs | Polestar UK polestar.com
  18. Polestar 2 BST edition 230 | Polestar UK polestar.com
  19. Used Polestar 2 review - ReDriven redriven.com
  20. Polestar 2 Is a Great Sport Sedan That Happens to Be Electric roadandtrack.com
  21. Polestar 2 used review: Price, Specs, Range & Reliability | Electrifying electrifying.com
  22. Polestar 2 – Driving the Brand's First Pure Electric Model formtrends.com
  23. 2016 Volvo Concept 40.2 - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  24. Used Polestar 2 (Mk1, 2020-date) review: an upmarket EV with a great real-world range | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  25. One-off Experimental Polestar 2 created for FOS | GRR goodwood.com
  26. Polestar's freezing cold classroom: winter testing in the arctic circle polestar.com
  27. Polestar 2 Arctic Circle Concept Is the Swedish Rally EV We’ve Been Missing thedrive.com
  28. These TV shows are leaving emissions on the cutting room floor - Grist | Grist grist.org
  29. 2021 Polestar 2 Depreciation Value | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  30. 2023 Polestar 2 BST edition 270 Hatchback 4D Price, Listings & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  31. 2023 Polestar 2 Depreciation Value | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  32. 2021 Polestar 2 Price, Value, Depreciation & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  33. Used 2023 Polestar 2 BST edition 230 Hatchback 4D Prices | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  • polestar.com
  • prnewswire.com
  • anothermag.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • electrek.co
  • caranddriver.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • carexpert.com.au
  • webwire.com
  • motortrend.com
  • redriven.com
  • roadandtrack.com
  • electrifying.com
  • formtrends.com

Photo credits

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