Polestar 1 Review 2024

The Polestar 1 makes a case for itself as a bit of a toy and a supplement to your everyday car. Alternatively, if you can afford it and space isn’t an issue, it is comfortable enough and has the range to be regularly used.

A limited production run of 1500 for the Polestar 1 and only one drivetrain (the turbocharged petrol engine linked to two electric motors), means there’s no choice at all with engine/trim.

High-end electric cars like the Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron are the natural rival to the Polestar 1. If you want to go down a more conventional route, it’s similar in price and purpose to the Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and even the Porsche 911.

The Polestar 1 is very well finished indeed - exactly as you would expect from Volvo.

The Polestar 1’s infotainment system is the same that you get in the V90 and XC90. The 9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard along with a seriously powerful Bowers and Wilkins 15 speaker stereo. We like the system’s responsive interface, though the number of menus could be cut down.

Good front space, but the rear of the Polestar 1 is suitable for children only. The boot is compromised by the car’s electrical systems. The Polestar 1 should be considered to be a comfortable two-seater in practice.

The powertrain in the Polestar 1 is probably its most unique attribute. Electric first and combustion second, this hybrid drivetrain favours electric power from a double electric rear axle configuration, supported by an internal combustion engine on the front axle. 

Polestar 1 can be driven at speeds up to 100 mph on electric power alone. The immediacy and high output of the electric torque also makes the car’s electric performance both fun and practical. The combined electric and combustion powertrain produces a total of 609 hp and a maximum of 1000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque. 

With the immediacy of the electric torque at the rear and the long legs provided by the petrol engine at the front, power delivery is always smooth and seamless – and the resulting performance is excellent. 0-62 mph takes just 4.2 seconds. Perhaps most impressive is the 50-75 mph rolling acceleration time of just 2.3 seconds, the electric drive providing instant response when on the move especially. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, or 100 mph in electric-only mode. An active rear spoiler is featured on the Polestar 1, rising automatically at 62 mph  and retracting at 44 mph. It can also be manually adjusted. 

The Polestar 1 offers a quiet and refined drive, as befits a large GT coupe.

Safety is a hallmark of the Volvo Car Group and another element of performance for Polestar. 

The Polestar 1 has been tested thoroughly not only in computer simulations, but also in the crash lab in Sweden. In fact, the Polestar 1 was the first-ever crash test of a carbon fibre-bodied car for the Volvo Car Group. 

In doing so, crash safety engineers were able to experiment with the new material to gain an elevated understanding of how its behaviour differs from conventional steel. In contrast to a steel body, where bending helps the integrated crumple zones reduce the amount of crash energy that reaches the vehicle’s occupants, carbon fibre dissipates energy by cracking and shattering. Close attention was paid to the way the carbon fibre body reacted to the extreme forces involved in the impact. 

The engineers also focused on how the underlying steel body structure and carbon fibre ‘dragonfly,’ which strengthens it, managed the forces. Most of the energy was absorbed by the car’s crash structure, with the remaining energy mitigated by the carbon fibre body panels into the body structure. 

These panels remained rigid and did not show signs of bending or misalignment after the crash. All available safety aids and driver assistance features are also included as standard in the Polestar 1 – including Pilot Assist which allows for a relaxed drive over long distances and especially in traffic jams. Seven airbags are fitted as standard.

Don’t expect cheap insurance for the Polestar 1. Its rarity and cutting-edge powertrain means that if you were to have an accident, it would be expensive to repair. This is not your average Ford Focus and will require specialists. As a result, insurance premiums will be high.

If you can afford a Polestar 1, then the chances are that road tax VED is only a minor concern. Plug-in hybrids, like the Polestar 1, benefit from much-reduced road tax. With emissions of just 15g/km, costs of annual VED will be just £15/year. 

Polestar likes to keep things simple, so the Polestar 1 doesn’t come in ‘base model’ guise. It also doesn’t have an extensive options list. It is produced with the best equipment all fitted as standard. Polestar offers a simplified matrix of colours and materials that allows customers to make an easy, hassle-free purchase. 

Five exterior colours are available in either a gloss or matte metallic finish. The Polestar emblems on the front and rear of the car match the exterior body paint colour in a matte finish, adding a subtle, elegant touch. Three wheel finishes are available – diamond cut, matte black or glossy black – along with a choice of either chrome or glossy black brightwork, and Charcoal or Zinc Nappa leather for the front seats. That’s it. All available equipment is fitted as standard and all the above items are no-cost options, with the exception of matte paint.