In the world of EVs, the luxury segment is one of the most closely contested, with manufacturers from around the globe releasing new luxury models each year. Alongside the benefits electric powertrains provide regarding the smoothness of the ride, luxury EVs have become the standard for the cabin experience, with many models striking an ideal balance between elegance and futurism.
Electric cars are naturally expensive, but things tend to reach extraordinary prices in the luxury segment. However, some manufacturers offer top-of-the-range luxury at a much more affordable price. Enter the Polestar 2. Being updated for the 2024 model year, the Polestar 2 upholds its reputation for being one of the most affordable luxury SUVs on the market while simultaneously providing best-of-class efficiency.
The Polestar 3 offers the best range in the brand’s current limited fleet at 379 miles. However, the model starts at $73,400, whereas the all-new, more affordable Polestar 2 stays competitive with both its larger counterpart and outside competitors for a fraction of the price. Here’s a closer look at the 2024 Polestar 2 and its standout features below the $50,000 mark.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Polestar’s manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver and CarBuzz.
2024 Polestar 2: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing
Polestar introduces some exciting changes to the 2024 2 range, making it an even more compelling option in the midsize EV crossover segment.
The 2024 Polestar 2 Offers Up To 320 Miles
For 2024, the Polestar 2 sees a big improvement in its overall range for each version, but even the base-level Long Range Single motor option offers top-of-the-range total distances. As per EPA, the 2024 Polestar 2 offers up to 320 miles of range for the Long Range Single motor version, a 50-mile improvement over the 2023 model.
This is primarily thanks to the upgraded battery for the 2024 model year, with the long-range models receiving a larger 82 kWh pack. Overall efficiency also improves compared to 2024, with an EPA-estimated 115 MPGe combined, 124 MPGe in the city, and 106 MPGe on the highway.
Starting At Just $49,900
Despite the refresh for 2024, the Polestar 2’s price remains just below the $50,000 mark, starting at $49,900 for the new model. In 2023, the Polestar 2 started at $48,400, but considering the drastic improvements that Polestar has made for its crossover luxury SUV in terms of range, performance, and luxury, only seeing a $1,500 increase provides even more value-for-money as it did last year.
The Polestar 2’s Affordability And Range Compared To Its Rivals
As mentioned, the luxury EV segment is hotly contested, with the Polestar 2 facing formidable competition in 2024. With both SUVs and sedans offering great deals of luxury and efficiency, the choice of which car to purchase is growing more difficult by the year.
The Tesla Model Y is one of the closest rivals to the Polestar 2 and has been since the Polestar 2 was first released five years ago. Regarding pricing, the ’24 Model Y starts at $43,990 for the base rear-wheel-drive but drops to $36,490 after Federal Tax Credit.
Unfortunately, the ’24 Polestar 2 isn’t available for the tax credit, and the model lost these benefits after the August 2022 Inflation Reduction Act came into effect. However, the Polestar 2 beats out the Tesla Model Y in range by quite some margin, with the Tesla SUV rear-wheel-drive only providing 260 miles of EPA-estimated range.
Although not a crossover SUV, the ’24 BMW i4 eDrive35 is BMW’s most affordable luxury electric car, receiving plenty of comparisons to the Polestar 2. Starting at $52,400, the i5 eDrive35 is slightly more expensive than the Polestar, which can be justified by its slight increase in performance of the crossover SUV. As for range, the Polestar beats out its rival quite significantly, with the i5 eDrive35 managing a maximum claimed range of 276 miles.
Moving back to the electric crossover SUV segment, the UK also puts forward a luxury contender again with the Jaguar I-PACE. Despite plans for the I-PACE to be discontinued by 2025, Jaguar has ensured that the model goes out with a bang. Despite being a more performance-oriented luxury EV, the I-PACE still manages a total range of 292 miles from its 90 kWh battery pack, but it does cost a more pricey $72,500.
10 Reasons Why The Polestar 2 Is Special
The Polestar 2 is a muscular vehicle that provides impressive performance, over 300 miles of range, and an abundance of tech features.
The First Real Update For Luxury Hatchback In 2024
Although the Polestar 2 received some minor tweaks and updates from 2019 to 2023, the Swedish-based EV manufacturer has given it its first major makeover, primarily focusing on improving power and efficiency. While the design has remained essentially the same, it’s the staggering range of capabilities that has grabbed all the headlines.
The Standard Range Single Motor Vs. The Long Range Single Motor
In the United States, the Polestar 2 is available in three versions: one single-motor model and two with dual motors. One of the most significant changes for 2024 comes with the single-motor models, in which Polestar opted to switch out the front-wheel-drive that featured in the 2023 model for rear-wheel-drive, which was met with instant praise from reviewers.
The Long Range Single motor version also boasts better performance than before, thanks to the larger 82 kWh battery pack that comes as standard. The Long Range version has an output of 299 horsepower and an equal 361 pound-feet of torque, slightly improving the 0 to 60 miles per hour speed to 5.9 seconds.
The All-Wheel-Drive Dual-Motor Versions
With the motor variants focused on providing the most range possible, the Polestar 2 also comes in dual-motor models, which start at an increased $55,300. These models are geared towards performance rather than range, which is greatly assisted by the all-wheel-drive driveline that naturally comes with a dual-motor layout.
Due to being more performance-oriented, the dual-motor versions of the Polestar 2 offer less range than the Long Range Single Motor variant, with the lower level Long Range Dual motor Polestar 2 providing up to 276 miles of range and 247 miles for the Long Range Dual motor with the Performance pack.
The performance gains are where the dual-motor 2024 Polestar 2’s come to life, with the former producing 421 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque and the latter making 455 horsepower and an equal 546 pound-feet of torque.
The charging capabilities also differ from the different variants of the 2024 Polestar 2. Long Range Single Motor versions see improvements for the charging speeds, going from 10 percent to 80 percent in 28 minutes at a maximum charging rate of 205 kW DC. Dual Motor versions, however, increase the charging time to 34 minutes to go from 10 percent to 80 percent, with a lower maximum charging rate of 155 kW DC.
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A Familiar Interior With Minor Exterior Tweaks
As for the design elements of the 2024 Polestar 2, the changes aren’t anywhere as significant as the mechanical side of things, but that isn’t a bad thing. The Polestar 2’s minimal, sleek exterior design can stay modern for years, with its interior reflecting the same qualities with plenty of luxurious materials and cutting-edge tech.
Timeless Exterior Styling
Polestar describes the Polestar 2’s exterior as ‘bold yet understated, futuristic without being flashy. ‘ This couldn’t be phrased any better, with the crossover SUV combining modern geometric elements with soft curves to create one of the most distinct luxury EVs on the market. The ’24 Polestar 2 comes in six metallic colors and three different wheel designs. The base wheel design measures 19 inches, but the latter two designs measure 20 inches.
The Swedish automaker has also placed great emphasis on developing the best exterior lighting possible, with the origami-inspired LED headlights automatically adjusting depending on the conditions. Active high beam also comes with the Polestar 2, which uses camera sensors to monitor upcoming traffic.
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Its Modern, Luxurious Cabin
Perhaps the most critical aspect of the luxury experience provided by these cars is the interior. The quality of the materials and the overall design is of the utmost importance, which the 2024 Polestar 2 delivers on. The interior has stayed the same since last year, but the quality is still class-leading within the luxury electric SUV segment, as is the exterior.
The Polestar 2 offers five interior trim options, with sustainability at the forefront of the designs. The headline upholstery option is the animal welfare traced Nappa leather, finished with light ash wooden deco panel accents. The Polestar 2 comes with heated seats as standard, with the driving seat position settings able to be saved for up to six different people. Heated rear seats are also an option, but only come with the additional Plus package.
The 11.2-inch touchscreen center display also makes a return for 2024, with its frameless design making it one of the standout features of the cabin. Behind the heated steering wheel sits the 12.3-inch driver display gauge, which automatically adapts to the lighting environment.
Complete with a panoramic sunroof, a Harman Kardon audio system, an advanced air quality system, and interior lighting, Polestar has ensured that the cabin experience needs all the 339 miles of range that the $49,900 base model can deliver for it to be fully embraced.
