Back in 2018, Volvo spun off its performance brand Polestar into a standalone electric car brand. The brand hasn't sat still since then. It just unveiled the Polestar 3 crossover for 2024, a vehicle which is expected to be its high-volume seller. And the brand just announced its first true electric car, the Polestar 2 fastback sedan, is getting a host of new technology upgrades for the 2024 model year — upgrades that should make it a far more compelling alternative to the Tesla Model 3.
The single-motor Polestar 2 got a lot more power
The most decisive changes come for the single-motor Polestar 2. It's now rear-wheel-drive, instead of front-wheel-drive. It's far more potent than the 2023 model year version, with a bump up to 299 hp (from 231) and 361 lb-ft of torque (from 243). The power upgrade reportedly improves the 0-60 mph acceleration time by 1.1 sec, bringing it down to 5.9 seconds.
The 2024 Polestar 2 also packs a lot more range
Mediocre range was the major downside of the original Polestar 2. But the upgrade addresses that as well. The RWD version receives a larger 82-kWh battery pack that should deliver up to 300 miles of range (240 miles of effective road trip range, when you factor in charging to just 80 percent). It will also charge faster — up to 205 kW versus 155 kW for the outgoing model.
The AWD Polestar 2 is also much improved
Polestar also gave the AWD Polestar 2 a boost. It receives a bump to 421 hp (from 408) and 546 lb-ft of torque (from 467). Plus, you can level up to 455 hp with the Performance Pack for a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. The AWD version will be limited to 270 miles of range, however — about 216 miles on road trips, when you factor in 80 percent charging.
And the 2024 Polestar 2 won't be much more expensive
Despite the revolutionary changes to the Polestar 2, it won't be that much more expensive than the outgoing 2023 model. The base price for the RWD model jumps $100 from $49,800 to $49,900. The dual-motor AWD Polestar 2 starts at $55,300 and now comes with the Pilot Pack as standard equipment.
The 2024 Polestar 2 is available to order now online. Deliveries will begin in August 2023.
