Living with a two-year-old Polestar 2: is it better than a Tesla Model 3?
September 17, 2024 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
We’ve been given the keys to a used Polestar 2 for six months, read on to find out what this electric car is like to live with.
Buying an electric car can be pretty expensive, so if you’re looking to make the switch to zero-emission motoring you may consider buying second hand.
But what’s it like living with a used electric car? Well we’ve been daily driving a 2022 Polestar 2 to find out. We’ll be seeing how the battery is holding up, whether the software is still performing as it should and we’ll compare it to our 2019 Tesla Model 3.
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Living with a 2022 Polestar 2: overview
Let’s start by taking a closer look at our car. This is a late 2022 Polestar 2 Performance, meaning it has dual electric motors with 469hp. It’ll do 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds, a full second slower than the Tesla Model 3 Performance we had on fleet at the same time.
Powering this car is a 78kWh battery with a claimed 288 miles of range from new, and it’s fitted with a couple of option packs. The Pilot Pack adds things like adaptive cruise control and matrix LED headlights, while the Plus Pack gives our Polestar a Harman Kardon sound system, panoramic glass roof and ventilated leather seats.
At the time of writing, a new Polestar 2 specced to this level will set you back £60,000 – but that’s thanks to a limited-time offer in which the Plus Pack is offered for free, it’ll usually add £4,000 to the total.
A quick browse Carwow’s used listings reveals a healthy handful of cars specced to this level for half of this, with prices starting from around £30,000. This makes going used a very tempting proposition.
Living with a 2022 Polestar 2: battery, range and driving
This may be one of the biggest concerns you have about buying a used electric car – how do the batteries hold up over time? There are many rumours online that EV batteries will be defunct after a few years and cost thousands of pounds to replace, but in our experience this isn’t the case.
Our car had a claimed 288 miles of range from the factory. We tested the Polestar 2 when it was new back in 2020, and generally speaking it would achieve 80% of its claimed range in a mixture of driving conditions. This means the real-world range of our car would be closer to 230 miles.
Two years on and we’re still seeing between 230 and 250 miles on a full charge, so the battery hasn’t really degraded at all. It was a similar story in our five-year-old Tesla Model 3, with that car also still getting over 80% of its original claimed range.
It’s still good to drive as well. The Polestar 2 is a bit more firm over bumps than a Tesla Model 3, but this is a complaint we’ve had from new. Thankfully the gloriously comfortable seats make up for it, and it’s a pretty good motorway cruiser.
Driving around town is also made easy with the one-pedal driving – which allows you to come to a complete stop by just lifting off the accelerator, although the limited rear visibility means that the 360-degree camera system is essential for tight manoeuvres.
Living with a 2022 Polestar 2: interior and infotainment
The cabin of the Polestar 2 is a lovely place to be, and it’s aged very well over the past few years. It still looks modern, and the design is much more interesting than the stripped-back Tesla Model 3.
Interior quality is also better than the Tesla. Everything feels solid and plush, and there are no squeaks or rattles present on our car. The gloss black trim does have a few scuffs, but not to the same extent as our Model 3 does.
We like the Google based infotainment system as well. Having Google Maps and Spotify built in is really handy, and the former even shows up on the digital driver’s display. It’s a shame that there’s no Android Auto, but the Polestar’s system is so easy to use that you don’t really need it.
One issue we have noticed though is loading times. The central touchscreen can take several minutes to get up and running after you get in the car, which isn’t ideal when all of your climate controls are buried within it.
This is something which could be fixed in the future over-the-air, because our car still gets regular software updates – as do all Polestar 2s regardless of age. This gives you great peace of mind that your car won’t get left behind as new models gain more advanced features, because they’ll still be available to you meaning your car is constantly being improved without having to visit a dealership.
Living with a 2022 Polestar 2: the verdict
So should you buy a used Polestar 2, or are you better off spending the extra money for a shiny new model? Well on the basis of what we’ve learned here, a second-hand one is a great way to get behind the wheel of this stylish Scandinavian EV for a bargain price.
If you get one as an approved used car from Polestar you’ll even get a 24-month warranty to give you full peace of mind, and the constant software updates are a great way to keep your car feeling fresh.
However, there is one fly in the Polestar’s ointment – and that’s the Tesla Model 3. Having lived with used examples of both, we ever-so-slightly prefer the Tesla. It’s faster, more comfortable, offers a bit more range and you have full access to the excellent Supercharger network making it easier to live with.
There’s not much difference in terms of price either. If you’re after a two-year-old example of either car then prices range from £22,000 to £30,000 depending on trim level and power output.
Looking for an easy way to change your car? Then Carwow is the place to go. You can sell your old car for a great price, and get the best deals on a new one. All through our network of trusted dealers and all from the comfort of your home. Tap the button below to get started today.