2024 Polestar 2 (facelift) offers more range and power [Update]

Update: ‘Polestar rules out cheaper EV’ section added.

The 2024 Polestar 2 with an updated design has arrived. The new model is much more than a typical mid-cycle refresh. Polestar’s rival to the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4 now speeds up quicker, drives better, charges faster, and travels farther on a charge. Here’s everything you need to know about the new electric sedan in the U.S.:

Design

Design changes on the 2024 Polestar 2 are not vast but certainly welcome. The new electric sedan has a covered design for the front grille called ‘SmartZone.’ It not only improves aerodynamics but also houses a front-facing camera and a mid-range radar unit, like in the Polestar 3. The optional Performance Pack brings new 20-inch forged alloy wheels that look sleeker and sportier than the other options – first used in the Polestar 3.

That aside, the design of the 2024 Polestar 2 is quite similar to the pre-facelift model. The sedan’s flared wheel arches, high ground clearance, and black body cladding on the lower portion of the body give it a rugged crossover-like stance from certain angles. The stylish headlamps get the Volvo Group’s characteristic ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED DRLs that extend right up to the grille. The windows sport thick black surrounds, while the rising beltline leads to a short but prominent rear deck.

The rear of the 2024 Polestar 2 gets LED taillights with a swanky wrap-around effect plus a full-width LED light bar. Its ‘adaptive light blade’ technology consists of 288 separate LEDs that can be individually dimmed or brightened depending on surrounding situations. The sculpted bumper has a lower apron comprising mainly black plastic for that rugged look.

Interior

While the exterior of the 2024 Polestar 2 facelift holds a couple of minor design tweaks, the interior has been largely untouched. Regardless, it’s still a clean and fuss-free environment with subtlety and minimalism being its strong suits. Customers can opt for the zinc-colored Nappa leather that Polestar claims have been produced responsibly with animal welfare in mind, while also being traceable and chrome-free. There’s also a two-tone fabric upholstery, along with a fully-vegan option that’s supposedly resistant to dirt and moisture.

Meanwhile, the rest of the cabin trim includes decorative inlays that can be had in black ash, light ash, and ‘3D-etched’ designs. Irrespective of the trim or materials chosen, the interior of the 2024 Polestar 2 reflects the Scandinavian brand’s ethos of offering a progressive design with high-quality fit & finish. The dashboard and center console of the 2 look premium, while the 11.2-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch driver’s display aren’t complicated to use either.

The 2024 Polestar 2’s cabin has sufficient space for five occupants, and the seats are both comfortable and offer good support on longer road trips. However, really tall people might find the headroom at the back a bit lacking.

The Polestar 2 facelift comes with Google’s Android Automotive OS for the portrait-oriented center screen. It supports over-the-air (OTA) software updates for added future functionality and bug fixes and allows many in-car tasks to be controlled using Google Assistant voice inputs. With the help of the Polestar app and digital key, owners can remotely operate and check multiple systems of the car. It allows for locking & unlocking of the doors, setting up the climate control system, checking the battery status, etc.

Wireless phone charger and Driver Awareness features are new on the list of standard features of the 2024 Polestar 2. The Long Range Dual Motor variant includes the Pilot Pack, an optional package costing USD 3,400 on the outgoing model, as standard. It includes the following safety and driver assistance features:

• Pilot Assist
• Blind Spot Information System with steering support
• Cross Traffic Alert with brake support
• Rear Collision Warning Mitigation system
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• 360-degree camera
• Auto-dimming ORVMs
• LED front fog lights with cornering assist

Polestar says that when customers order the Polestar 2 with the Performance Pack now (in the 2024 model year), the configuration automatically adds the Plus Pack. In the 2023 model year, Plus Pack is an optional pack costing USD 4,200 and includes a panoramic glass roof, WeaveTech seats, heat pump, 600-watt, 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, heated steering wheel, rear seat, and wiper nozzles, wireless phone charger, and more.

Specifications

Variants

Polestar has changed the drivetrain layout and drive bias of the 2 with the mid-cycle refresh, something most automakers would do with a full model (generation) change. FWD configurations have become RWD and AWD configurations have switched from being front-biased to rear-biased. As a result, the new car is even more playful and agile, says Joakim Rydholm, Head of Chassis Development, Polestar. In the U.S., there are three configurations on offer, as listed below:

1. Long Range Single Motor (RWD)
2. Long Range Dual Motor (AWD)
3. Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack (AWD)

Performance, range, and charging

The 2024 Polestar 2’s Long Range Single Motor variant has a newly developed permanent magnet motor and silicon carbide inverter. The motor produces 220 kW (295 hp) and 361 lb.-ft. of torque, which are improvements of 15 hp and 118 lb.-ft., respectively, from the 2023 model’s Long Range Single Motor variant. The 0-60 mph is 5.9 seconds – a reduction of 1.1 seconds.

The new Long Range Single Motor variant has a new, larger battery pack with an energy storage capacity of 82 kWh (+4 kWh). It supports DC fast charging at a higher rate – 205 kW (+50 kW). Polestar expects it to deliver an EPA-est. range of 300 miles (+30 miles).

The Long Range Dual Motor variant of the 2024 Polestar 2 adds a new asynchronous motor on the front axle. The combination results in 310 kW (416 hp) and 546 lb.-ft., 14 hp and 59 lb.-ft. more than the powertrain of the outgoing model’s Long Range Dual Motor variant, respectively. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph takes 4.3 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker. The front motor disengages completely when not needed, for reduced energy consumption efficiency. This isn’t possible in the outgoing model.

As for the range-topping Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack variant, its powertrain generates 335 kW (449 hp) and 546 lb.-ft. of torque. Compared to the powertrain of the outgoing model’s same variant, its total power and total torque are 20 hp and 44 lb.-ft. higher, respectively. The 0-60 mph acceleration time is just 0.1 seconds lower, though – 4.1 seconds.

The Long Range Dual Motor and Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack variants of the 2024 Polestar 2 use the same, 78 kWh battery pack as the outgoing model. Polestar expects both to have an EPA-est. range to be 270 miles, which would be a common improvement of 10 miles. The peak DC charging input is no different from the outgoing model in these variants – 155 kW.

Aspect/Specification	Long Range Single Motor	Long Range Dual Motor	Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack
Drivetrain Layout	RWD	AWD	AWD
Power	220 kW (295 hp)	310 kW (416 hp)	335 kW (449 hp)
Torque	361 lb.-ft.	546 lb.-ft.	546 lb.-ft.
0-60 mph Acceleration Time	5.9 s	4.3 s	4.1 s
Battery Pack Energy Storage Capacity	82 kWh	78 kWh	78 kWh
EPA-est. Range (Preliminary)	300 mi	270 mi	270 mi
Peak DC Charging Rate	205 kW	155 kW	155 kW

Release Date & Price

Officially, the 2024 Polestar 2 should go on sale in North American markets in March 2023. We expect prices to start at just under USD 50,000. Polestar has confirmed that the new 2 qualifies for the maximum clean vehicle tax credit of USD 7,500 on lease transactions.

Polestar rules out a cheaper EV

The 2 is and will continue to be the entry point into the Polestar brand. While Tesla plans to enter a lower segment with a USD 25,000 EV to chase higher volumes, Polestar doesn’t see itself doing such volume-brand exercises. Luxury brands seldom fall into that trap, only to realize after making big losses years later that it doesn’t work that way and pull out later. Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz plan to reduce their presence in the lower segments in a few years.

“We don’t have any intention to launch and develop a model below Polestar 2,” Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said during the company’s Q4 2022 earnings conference call on March 2, 2023. The company doesn’t want to make 10 or 20 million cars annually; that’s not the target of the brand, Ingenlath added.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Polestar 2 packs significant upgrades, even though it may not look like it from its design. Higher performance, longer range, and speedier charging make the new model an even more compelling choice in its segment, which the Tesla Model 3 dominates.

2024 Polestar 2 FAQs

Featured Image Source: Polestar