Design and Build

You'll recognise this improved Polestar 2 from the changes made to its front end, the original combustion-like grille now replaced by a much more EV-like 'SmartZone' body-coloured panel housed in a slim surround and incorporating safety tech like the mid-range radar and the forward camera. Otherwise, things are much as before, the Polestar 2 championing a chunky, purposeful sporty and distinctively Swedish feel of its own. Looks probably aren't going to be the primary reason you choose this contender (and they won't immediately advertise the fact that you've probably spent £50,000 or more on it) but if you're OK with something a little more conservatively premium, then there's plenty to like here. Under the skin lies the same CMA platform that's used by a Volvo XC40 but it's had to be updated with a unique front subframe for extra crash protection (electric motors are less absorbent in an impact than an engine), plus there are modifications at the rear to support the heavy lithium-ion battery pack. At the wheel, no cabin changes have been made as part of this mid-life update. As before, you're favoured with almost faultless build quality from an interior carefully fitted out with fabric, wood and vegan leather (proper hide is optional). There's a blade-shaped dashboard incorporating a predictably huge central freestanding 11.15-inch portrait-format infotainment screen. This delivers the latest Google Android infotainment system. Unlike Android Auto, you don't have to connect in and then still have to separately activate car stuff (seat positioning, safety system preferences and so on). Google Android infotainment can automatically do all that for you as you approach the car. What else might you need to know about the cabin? Well the seats are soft and supportive, but the window line is rather high, which contributes to rather poor rearward visibility. Careful battery design means that rear seat legroom is surprisingly good for an EV. And once the powered rear hatch rises, you'll view a 405-litre boot, which expands to 1,095-litres with the seats down, plus there's a further 35-litre space beneath the bonnet up-front.

Market and Model

It's no longer possible to get a Polestar 2 anywhere near £40,000; the asking prices now kick off at around £45,000 for the Standard range Single motor variant, progressing to around £49,000 for the mid-range Long range Single motor variant we tried, then culminating with the Long range Dual motor model at around £53,000 - or running up to around £58,000 for that top Long range Dual motor model fitted with the optional Performance Pack. At least the small price rises that deliver these figures see plenty of camera safety features now available. Namely blind-spot information with steering support, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support, and Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation. Plus auto-dimming side mirrors, a 360-degree parking camera and a smartphone-charging mat. Opt for the 'Performance Pack' on a Dual motor model and your car will come with a redesigned set of 20-inch forged alloy wheels. As before, virtually all Polestar sales will be done online (via an app which will also be used to arrange servicing and aftercare). You certainly won't be able to buy the marque's products from a Volvo franchise. All models come with a fully loaded specification, but if you want to go further, various optional Packs are available, primarily the 'Plus Pack' and the 'Pilot Pack'

Cost of Ownership

The furthest you'll be able to go in a Polestar 2 is with the mid-range Long range Single motor 82kWh variant, which now has a WLTP-rated range of up to 406 miles. Not far behind is the Long range Dual motor 82kWh model (up to 368 miles). The base Standard range Single motor 69kWh version manages up to 339 miles. Despite the larger batteries, more powerful motors, longer range and more exciting performance, carbon emissions for Long range versions with the 82kWh battery have come down by 1.1 tonnes to 5.9 tonnes per car (previously 7 tonnes per car), thanks to improved cell chemistry. There's still no Hyundai Motor Group-style 800-volt electrified tech here to boost charging times (the usual 400-volt set-up remains) but the upgraded battery tech has brought with it quicker battery replenishment. Charging speeds have increased - to 135kW for the Standard range Single motor 69kWh model, though that still isn't particularly impressive by class standards. At a DC rapid charger, 34 minutes will be needed for this base variant to charge from 10-80%. At home using a typical 7.4kW wallbox, you'll need 10 hours 45 minutes. The longer-ranging 82kWh battery pack models can now charge at up to 205kW, which is a bit more like it. This means that at a DC rapid charger, 28 minutes will be needed to charge from 10-80%. At home using a typical 7.4kW wallbox, you'll need 12 hours 30 minutes. Charging stations along any given route are displayed via a simplified Google Maps display on the centre-dash screen. This includes live availability data so that you can see in advance which charging points are currently free. And don't worry if your trip takes you somewhere with no online reception: should you venture into such territory, the car will automatically download maps into its hard drive and switch into an offline mode so that navigational services can continue uninterrupted. Around half of all Polestar 2 sales will be to business buyers keen to take advantage of the 2% benefit-in-kind tax rating that still applies to EVs.

Summary

We continue to like the Polestar 2. And it couldn't be more different from arguably its closest rival, the Tesla Model 3, an EV that slightly awkwardly embraces the current eco-zeitgeist. Yes, it's easy to sneer at the company's environmental mission statement - 'to drive progress and create a better future, a future that's sustainable, hassle-free and strikingly beautiful'. But we can't help liking the way that this car has delivered its electric remit with Volvo-style pragmatism - and continues to do so in this updated form. There's no big fuss about superbike-style acceleration times. Or about how it can charge in next to no time from rapid charging stations you'll hardly ever come across. It doesn't even mess about with a pointless SUV configuration. Instead, the Polestar 2 simply gets on with delivering what is arguably the most complete EV experience in the £45,000-£60,000 price bracket. It has a Tesla-like feel of innovation, an Audi Q4 e-tron-like feel of quality and a BMW i4-like feel of sporting purpose. All with rare, unique branding and packaging. Choosing one of these would still be a step into the unknown. But we can see why you might.