My test drive of Polestar 2 went like a dream – but music & coffee lovers will not be fans of glaring design oversights

THE Polestar 2 is a handsome fellow with a dreamy, luxurious interior and exciting road manners.

It’s also a direct shot at the EV consumer-dominant Tesla Model 3. The sales pitch would be even better with a few quick tune-ups.

The US Sun

The US Sun

The US Sun

I drove the Polestar 2 for five days and was highly impressed with its beauty, power, and usability.

Polestar takes an entirely different design approach than other EV companies.

From the side profile, the car looks like a sedan perched on a tall suspension and big performance wheels.

• This story is part of a series of test drives by Ben Shimkus , a Motors Reporter for The U.S. Sun.

Technically, it is not a sedan. The Polestar 2 slots in as a five-door hatch because the trunk’s hinges connect to the car’s roof, while sedan trunks, by definition, are not attached to the passenger cabin.

The design is sleek and unique enough in a world where American consumers are purchasing an increasing number of small and mid-size SUVs.

The car-like stature also contributes to the EV’s best attribute: it’s fun to drive.

I shouldn’t have been surprised by its speed. Polestar has performance in its DNA.

The company was formerly the racer brand of the Swedish multinational manufacturer Volvo .

I tested the car’s acceleration a few times. My foot pressed the accelerator pedal to the max, and the car’s power thrust my head back into the headrest.

While the acceleration was immediate and exciting, the car was mostly serene.

A gorgeous panoramic window spans the entire ceiling, allowing light to stream throughout the cabin.

Sun illuminated the patterned Nappa leather seats and natural wood colors.

Polestar blends the calming materials with a dash of whimsical character.

Passengers are strapped in with yellow seatbelts. The center console and door panels are intentionally closer to the driver to give the feel of a sports car cockpit.

The Polestar 2 is one of the most accessible cars to transition into for drivers used to gas-powered vehicles.

The infotainment system allows drivers to adjust the car’s steering feel, control the amount of braking when releasing the accelerator, and enable the car to creep forward at low speeds in traffic.

Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor Performance Plus review

Ben Shimkus, an automotive journalist for The U.S. Sun, test-drove the Polestar 2. Here are his thoughts:

As I started scheduling out for this series of reviews, the Polestar 2 was one of the cars I was immediately most excited about.

It met my high expectations.

I love the exterior of this car. The interior was nice and tidy. The performance is amazing and easily adjustable.

But I do think a few new touches would give the car just a bit more comfort.

Pros:

• Design – It’s pretty inside and out
• Performance – This is a quick little bugger
• Ease-of-use – There are plenty of changeable options for first-time EV drivers
• Storage – A nice-sized trunk pairs well with a decent frunk
• Seatbelts – They are so cool

Cons:

• No wireless Apple CarPlay
• Price is a bit steep in a segment with expanding players
• Front seat with one standard cupholder in a full-size car is an odd choice

But the dash, powered by Google operating systems, doesn’t have wireless Apple CarPlay.

I really missed having the screen-mirroring app through the car’s Bluetooth on my test.

My music paused several times as my phone slightly moved off the USB-C charger.

Also, right under the infotainment, the center console only has one standard cup holder.

There is a second cupholder inside the storage, but drivers get rid of an armrest if their passengers have a cup.

Most gas-powered cars need to have a bump on their rear floors to make room for the gear tunnel in the car’s underbelly.

EVs don’t have a standard gear tunnel, which allows them to use a flat floor and gives backseat passengers more room.

But the Polestar keeps the floor bump. If I had a middle-seat passenger, they would have to share the foot space with the two riders on their side.

I think the positives outweigh the three design flaws of the car. The powertrain and beauty are too exciting to be marred by a wireless phone or cupholder gripe.

But I would argue that with small changes inside, the Polestar could make long drives a touch more comfortable for their passengers.

Our Long Range Dual Motor Performance Plus tester carries an MSRP in the mid $60,000s.

Base models of the car will come off the lot in the competitive, yet largely competitive mid-$50,000 range.

The US Sun

The US Sun