Used Polestar 2 for sale: everything you need to know

If this is the Polestar 2, you may be wondering what happened to the Polestar 1. As a limited-run two-door plug-in hybrid coupe costing £140,000, it might have passed you by - but the Polestar 2 is altogether more sensible, much more affordable, and very nearly as cool.

It’s got the same understated Swedish design thing going on but seats a family and should carry a good proportion of their luggage too. The Polestar 2 also performs well and its two battery options both promise plenty of range too. It’s a proper, well thought-out electric car in other words, and one that’s even more affordable when you buy used.

Other electric cars worth considering at a similar price point include the ubiquitous Tesla Model 3, plus other stylish family-orientated EVs such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. The Jaguar I-Pace has been around for a while but it’s another fine-driving alternative.

Should you buy a Polestar 2?

Polestar is owned by the same parent company as Volvo and you only need to glance at the Polestar 2’s interior and exterior styling to see the similarities with Volvo’s current range - it’s handsome and understated without being dull. It’s more unusual than most Volvos though, with the silhouette of a traditional saloon, but the slightly raised profile of a crossover.

As with a lot of EVs, this raised body allows a large battery to sit underneath, and the Polestar 2 offers some of the better range estimates you’ll find in somewhat accessible EVs. Even early Standard range cars are quoted at 273 miles, but updates in 2023 mean most Polestar 2s are capable of well over 300 miles, on paper at least.

The 2 also charges quickly, if you can find a public fast-charger to exploit it, and with single and dual-motor powertrains, there’s a broad spread of performance too, from merely brisk to really quite quick. It won’t quite challenge a Tesla in a straight line, but you’re unlikely to be disappointed.

The 2’s cabin is far better than any Tesla anyway, being spacious and well built, though Polestar’s vault-like safety cell means visibility is restricted by incredibly thick pillars. The driving experience is better too - the 2 doesn’t offer much feedback to the driver but it’s sure-footed and capable, with powerful brakes. Just bear in mind that the largest wheels can compromise ride quality.

We’ve mentioned the Tesla Model 3 as an alternative, and it’s a difficult one to ignore: it’s flawed, but performs very well indeed, has a long range, and from an ownership perspective Tesla’s Supercharger fast-charging network is currently the best in the world. If you’d prefer more style though (and the Polestar doesn’t quite do it for you), then the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60 trio are all individual to look at and satisfying to drive.

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What’s the best used Polestar 2 model to buy?

A mild 2023 facelift brought with it extra performance and range (detailed below) so if you’ve got the budget, these are the models to seek out. But you shouldn’t feel to hard done by if you have to opt for an older Polestar 2, as all versions are still brisk off the line and are up there with the best premium EVs for range, too.

Forced to choose, we’d probably try and find one of the Long range models, purely for the extra peace of mind. Thanks to faster charging capabilities (205kW rather than 135kW, where available) they shouldn’t actually take any longer to top up, either - Volvo reckons 10-80 per cent in 28 minutes for a Long range, 34 minutes for a Standard range model. Then it’s just a case of keeping your eye out for desirable option packs, as highlighted further down this page.

Used Polestar 2 range and performance

• Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor: As the name suggests, this drivetrain pairs a 64kWh battery pack (good for 273 miles, or 69kWh and 339 miles later on) with a single, rear-mounted motor with 224PS (272PS in later models). 0-62mph takes 7.4 seconds.
• Polestar 2 Long range Single motor: Long-range models get a 78kWh battery pack (82kWh in updated cars), while the single rear motor is slightly more powerful than the base model at 231PS (upgraded to 299PS more recently). This maintains the 7.4-second 0-62mph time, while range grows to 335 miles (or 406 for later models).
• Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor: This model gets the larger battery pack and adds a motor at the front axle, for a combined 408PS (421PS in later cars) and a 4.7-second 0-62mph time. The performance slightly impacts range, at 298 miles (368 for more recent cars).
• Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor Performance Pack: With two motors but more power again, the Performance Pack makes 476PS and has a four-second 0-62mph time, with a range of up to 352 miles from its 82kWh battery pack.

What used Polestar 2 trim levels are available?

The Polestar 2 is currently available only in a single trim level, which keeps things simple. The main differentiation is what level of range and power you want, and then which options packs are added on top. So when you’re seeking out a used Polestar 2, keep an eye out for which packs it’s advertised as having.

• The Polestar 2 is comprehensively equipped, getting a 12.3-inch driver display and 11.2-inch infotainment display (with Apple CarPlay), 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound, over-the-air update capability, 360-degree cameras for parking, 19-inch alloy wheels, and an enormous list of safety features.
• The Performance Pack adds Brembo brakes, 20-inch alloys, Ohlins dampers, different chassis settings, and gold seatbelts. Cars with the Plus Pack get heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel, a panoramic roof, a digital key, a foot-sensing power boot lid, while a Pilot Pack adds pixel adaptive LED headlights, and a handful of semi-autonomous driving features.

Used Polestar 2 dimensions and boot size

The Polestar 2’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4606mm
• Width: 1859mm (without mirrors), 1985mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1479mm (Performance Pack 1473mm)

The Polestar 2’s boot size is:

• 407 litres
• 1097 litres with the rear seats folded

Used Polestar 2 road tax

Good news: as a range of fully-electric cars, the Treasury won’t be getting its greasy hands on an annual VED bill from Polestar 2 drivers - just like every other EV, it’s currently free to tax each year. This may change in future of course, but in the meantime it keeps running costs down.

How much is it to insure a Polestar 2?

If you’ll save money in tax, then bear in mind that as a premium product, insurance for the Polestar 2 may be more than mainstream electric cars. That said, it’s offset somewhat by Volvo’s focus on safety - so a spread of groups 34 to 46 doesn’t seem so bad. In comparison, a Tesla Model 3 is all the way up in groups 48-50.

Read our full Polestar 2 review