2020 Polestar 2

12/4/2019

sedan - ev/hybrid

From the beginning the Polestar brand has been something only dreams could be made of. And now it has more than one product to offer the world. Sure, the Polestar 1 was change in direction for Volvo, but how could a coupe version of the S80 really make a difference in the world. That is where the Polestar 2 comes into play.

Not only is the 2 competition for Tesla, but it is a full-fledged entry into the world of EV supremacy. But unlike the Model S and 3 the 2 has one extra trick up its sleeve that the competition does not have. It is a high riding sedan, which means this boarder on the edge of being either a sedan or cross-trek. Whatever it is we are glad that it is finally here.

Polestar started out life as an aftermarket division of Volvo, making their own versions of the S60, V60, XC60 and even the XC90. But unlike AMG, M or even SRT, Polestar wasn’t meant to be full-fledged aftermarket division. No, Volvo had other aspirations for it and its technology. Technology is what makes racing cars and that is what something Polestar was great at doing for Volvo. Polestar built the racing cars that Volvo required and with that they built the technology behind their racing cars. And what goes into racing cars. Well more than money. Technology. And that is what Volvo was really after, as most racing manufactures shops are a breeding ground for new technology.

But how do you go from racing technology to a modern-day electric car. You use your fuel cell and regenerative braking systems from your cars to help build a full-fledged EV for the road. That is what Volvo wanted and along with their own hybrid technology, Polestar was off to a great start.

The 2 just happens to be the final culmination of all of that technology put together. But with all the technology behind them, did they remember to make an appealing product. Let’s take a look and see.

Up front the 2 seems to follow the same layout as the 1, along with most modern Volvo’s as well. But with that note we find the main problem, as the front end is nothing really great to look at. It follows the basic dynamics of Volvo’s product range, but again that is a problem as well. The hard edges and vast openness that made the 1 are overly used on the 2 as well. Add in the fact that there are hardly any true character lines or accessories and you have the makings of a bland front.

Now granted the front end is easily appealing on the eyes due to great flow of features. It doesn’t make you want to keep looking like some other models. The front gives you a sense of modern, but bland appeal. And given that the grille and air intakes are made of low-grade plastic, the luxury appeal is dismal at best.

Along the side the vast openness of the front continues as a lack of features again is present. The lower sill plate does add to the cross-trek appeal of the 2 as it does add to the illusion of above grade ground clearance. This same accent colour is used around the side windows as well which helps break out certain aspects of the side from the rest of the model. The front window has been highlighted in this shade as well to give the illusion of a front floating windscreen. It’s great that someone finally decided to move away from the rear floating roofline.

One bad feature along the side could the choice of design for the side mirrors. Sure, they are suitable in design, but look as if they are floating beside the 2. Neat feature, but this could work in the wrong way when other colours are added to the mix.

Out back the simple lines continue as the front seemingly floats to the rear of the vehicle. This is highly evident through the simple and yet non-moving beltline. Sure, it flows well, but there’s no attitude to it. But when the beltline ends the rear tail lights begin and begin they do. The outline design of them may seem rather simple, but their broken rectangle appeal makes them appear more modern than that of a Volvo’s rear. Good definition lines help break out the tail lights from the rest of the rear adding to effect they have on the rear of the 2.

But moving a bit lower we find ourselves lost in a sea of cheap cross-trek plastic. And without a rear diffuser or fins to guide us out, we are truly lost in a land of bland appeal. But all is not lost as the rear reflectors have been darkened just enough to pull your eyes away from the sea of cheap plastic. Although a chrome accent bar or gloss finish somewhere would have done a better job.

All around the 2 is a decent take on a more modern twist to the Volvo range. Of course, it may not have the Volvo logo, the Polestar 2 still embodies everything that the Volvo line entails. Well, minus the accents and character lines that make a Volvo a bit easier on the eyes. All together the Polestar 2 is a good change for the market and may help a few more people enter the EV world. But again, those consumers will have to deal with the bland appeal that comes along with a standard Volvo. Break out the beige khakis!

Everett J.
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