On the night of returning the Polestar 2, after learning that the manufacturer’s designated driver would come to pick up the car in about half an hour, I decided to say a simple goodbye to it by going downstairs in advance.
As it came into view from afar again, there were no streetlights along the roadsides of the residential area. I approached slowly from the rear right side, and unlocked it when I was 10 meters away. The dimly lit Polestar 2 began its concise and lively start-up ceremony again, with the dark red light flowing from the center of the taillight along both sides and eventually filling the highly identifiable band-shaped taillights. The contrast of the dim environment made it particularly eye-catching and enticing.
My visual focus gradually converged on it, and everything around me blurred out, leaving only the band-shaped red and the white glow at the door handle gradually approaching in the focal point of my vision. Once again, my hormones began to spread throughout my body before getting in the car, just like the night it came, jubilant but pretending to be calm.
I got in the car, reclined the seat, connected the Bluetooth, played “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas, the electronic music prelude began, and it was just my style! In just half a song, the Harman Kardon sound system had completely immersed me in the pleasure of the music. Checking the time, there were still 25 minutes left. How about another ride?
I got up, adjusted the seat position using the M1 seat memory button, shifted into drive, and drove out of the residential area slowly with the music. This section of the road was so familiar that memories of my time spent with the Polestar 2 flooded my mind unconsciously.
Try something new
Before recalling memories, I know that readers would ask, “How does the Polestar 2 compare to the Model 3?”
Funny enough, I have test driven both cars in-depth. My experience tells me that both cars have their pros and cons. The Model 3 is an excellent smart electric sports car, with a futuristic design philosophy. Its appearance, interior, interaction, and driving experience all give people a strong sense of technology. Its high sales volume also make it visible everywhere in first-tier cities.
However, the Model 3 has gone a bit too far in many aspects. Its interior is too avant-garde and simple, the seating experience in the back seats resembles “little stools,” the poor noise isolation performance, and so on. The Model 3 is like a young man in high-tech running clothes and shorts coming to work in the middle of a hot summer. Although it is very lightweight and cool, some might find it improper. Moreover, seeing Model 3s everywhere on the streets, the novelty begins to fade.
Therefore, why don’t you follow my memories and try something new?
The 300 kW Quick Start MachineThe first time I drove back home in the Polestar 2 was nearly 1 a.m., but I was full of energy while sitting in the driver’s seat. After all, I had just received the Polestar key from a group of barbarians in the editorial department, and I had to enjoy it.
I drove out of the parking lot, stopped and waited at every traffic light along the way. Finally, I arrived at the last traffic light before the elevated road. “When stationary, the inside of the Polestar 2 is extremely quiet, with only the slight sound of the air conditioning. There were no cars on the road in front of me leading to the elevated entrance.”
In such a setting, driving a performance car with dual electric motors generating 300kW, waiting alone at a red light, and being someone who likes to drive fast, there’s no need to say what I was thinking at that moment.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… The green light turned on. The moment I stepped on the accelerator, the steering wheel pulled me forward and I drove out. The powerful thrust was much stronger than my usual Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive. After only dozens of meters, the speed had already exceeded 60 mph.
“Enough, enough,” I reminded myself immediately in my mind, and then stepped on the brake slightly. Even though I was still feeling unsatisfied, I was about to go up the ramp of the elevated road. Keeping to the ramp speed limit, I changed lanes to the leftmost lane, stepped on the accelerator again, and had another rapid acceleration. The thrust was not much weaker than the initial acceleration, and the feeling was really great!
By the time I got off the elevated road, it was almost 2 in the morning. Every traffic light on the road outside the ring was empty. The feeling of stepping on the accelerator and starting again and again was beyond impressive.
However, what impressed me most on this trip was not just the acceleration: even with so many times of stepping on the accelerator, the Polestar 2 never made a single screeching sound when accelerating. The gripping ability of the wheels was excellent, and even with the huge power output, the front wheels still maintained their stability and there was no torque steering.
“Not only fast, but also giving people confidence to drive fast, the Polestar 2’s performance is in line with the level that a performance car should have.”
Öhlins, Brembo, Expensive is Really Good
Of course, a performance car should not only be about acceleration. The Polestar 2 we got was a top-of-the-line version with a high-performance package, the most attractive being the Öhlins shock absorbers (independent 4-wheel 22-stage adjustable).
# Öhlins – The Top-Notch Suspension Brand
If you are not a car or motorcycle enthusiast, you may not know much about the Öhlins brand. In short, it is a world-renowned top-notch suspension brand. Countless high-performance sports cars and motorcycles use Öhlins suspension products. Even luxury motorcycle brands like Ducati require a markup of tens of thousands of dollars for their high-end models with Öhlins components. Haven’t heard of Ducati? No worries, just remember those highlighted words.
Now, let’s talk about the Öhlins suspension itself. It also utilizes the dual flow valve (DFV) technology to better absorb small impacts on the road during high-speed drives, assisting the wheels to adhere to the road surface, and yielding better dynamic handling performance.
If you didn’t quite catch that, I suggest reviewing the highlighted words mentioned earlier. It will help you better understand the concept.
Before I share my actual experience with this suspension, let me first complain about its adjustment settings. It’s quite ridiculous that a car that costs over 400K still requires manual suspension adjustment. Imagine pulling the sound insulation and reaching your hand into the wheel well along the shock absorber, removing the rubber dust cap at the top of the shock absorber, and twisting the damping knob with extreme effort and contorted posture. With up to 22 settings, this is a job for a real skr person.
To give you an idea, my first time adjusting the rear suspension, I didn’t realize you had to remove the dust cap and spent nearly half an hour searching for the knob. And on that day, I was wearing a mask, which drew the suspicion of the complex security guard who came by twice to ask what I was doing.
“I’m adjusting the suspension, can you believe it?”
After some struggle, I finally adjusted all four suspensions to their stiffest setting. Upon completion, I got back inside the car and noticed a significant difference from the previous day when I was driving what I thought was a rather stiff performance vehicle. Now, it felt like I was driving a supercar with a pushrod suspension system, it provided much more feedback on the road. I hit a speed bump and it went “bang bang”. It felt like my vertebral discs from my waist to my neck had resigned themselves to a life of chronic pain.
However… As the suspension stiffened, the handling of the vehicle also became “hardcore.” The vehicle’s body roll in the corners was reduced, the slight movements when accelerating or decelerating became even smaller, and my every command- whether it was throttle, steering or brakes, was immediately transmitted to the tyres.
After driving over a continuous stretch of bumpy terrain at 80km/h, the suspension clung tightly to the ground throughout, and as the back wheels left the wave-like section, the car instantly resumed its stable posture, causing goosebumps.Until 20 minutes later my waist hurt so much that I had to stop the car and adjust the shock absorbers again.
This time, I adjusted all four wheels to the softest setting, and the effect was immediately noticeable. The Polestar 2 turned into a mild sports sedan, and when driving over bumps and potholes, you could feel the shock absorbers helping to absorb the bumps. This feeling is quite suitable for daily commuting.
If the softness and hardness of the Model 3 suspension are used as the “shock hardness unit”, the softest setting of the Polestar 2 is equivalent to 0.85 Model 3 units, while the hardest setting is equivalent to 1.5 Model 3 units. However, even at the softest setting, the shock rebound of the Polestar 2 is still better than that of the Model 3, very crisp and agile. Readers who have high requirements for this aspect can really try it out.
For the braking part, I’ll give you the data directly. The average braking distance from 100 km/h to 0 that we measured was around 36.5 meters. This is quite impressive for the Polestar 2, weighing over two tons. It is also one of the few work conditions that can make the tires of the Polestar 2 squeal. Finally, let me mention the Brembo caliper on the Polestar 2. You can review the bold font in the second paragraph of this article again, replacing “shock absorbers” with “brakes”.
Oh, by the way, the price of the “high-performance package” that includes 20-inch wheels, Öhlins shock absorbers, Brembo brake calipers, and a series of sporty exterior parts is 42000. How should I put it, if it is not expensive, it is not good! (As reminded by my colleague, this package can now be obtained for free when purchasing the car.)
Mild Performance Car
If I were to summarize the driving section of the Polestar 2, I would say that it is a mild performance car. The previous paragraphs talked about its performance. Actually, I also want to talk about its mildness: the throttle, brake, and steering of the Polestar 2 are all suitable for daily use, and the output of the first stage of the throttle and brake pedals is very gentle. If you don’t press the pedal deeply, it won’t make you jerk with violent G-forces.
But I am just a person who likes aggressive performance cars. The mildness of the Polestar 2 during daily driving makes me feel a bit too restrained and even a bit cold, but this is the character of the Polestar 2. It can be passionate, but usually it is gentle and elegant.
Style
Appearance: not tacky and beautiful.
The driving experience of the Polestar 2 is basically at night. This cement gray Polestar 2 is quite low-key at night, mainly relying on the lights. The scene at the beginning of the article is really tasteful in specific environments.# But during the day, when the sky is clear and blue, give the Polestar 2 a thorough wash and let it dry…I mean, you should have seen the infatuated look on the car wash guy’s face when he saw the freshly washed Polestar 2, and I don’t blame him, I can’t resist its charm either.
Firstly, the beauty of the Polestar 2 can be felt at a glance. Each line on its compact body gives a sense of cleanliness and simplicity. From the front to the back of the car, no matter what angle you look at it from, the Polestar 2’s appearance is flawless, and its various designs are harmoniously integrated, giving a sense of completeness.
Why do I say it’s harmonious? Because when you take a walk around the car, you’ll find that the design flows seamlessly, without any abrupt or patchy sensations. You’ll feel that this car was designed this way. And the semi-enclosed grille, sloping back, full-width taillights, and slightly protruding wheel arches are just the right size on the Polestar 2, without any discomfort. “Just right” is the perfect way to describe it.
When you look even closer at the Polestar 2’s details, you’ll see the exquisite and thoughtful design philosophy even more clearly.
First of all, I want to compliment the car paint. The Cement color of this paint is like a beauty filter. It makes ugly cars look even uglier, but it makes beautiful cars look even more beautiful. The Polestar 2 is undoubtedly one of the latter. With changing light, it sometimes appears gray, sometimes gray-blue, and in dark weather, it has a matte finish, while in bright sunshine, it gleams like glazed ceramic. This color can be said to embody many qualities, such as fashion, diversity, neutrality, and both sporty and elegant styles, which are very consistent with the Polestar 2’s tone.
However, the color details go far beyond that. The silver-black double-spoke wheel hub, golden calipers and tire valve, hidden black-painted A-pillar design, dark magenta brightness self-adjusting taillights, and my favorite same-color logo which is almost imperceptible from a distance make the entire car look clean, integrated and stylish. Furthermore, the logo has a three-dimensional effect when viewed up close, and is paired with the “Polestar 2” square Chinese character font that matches the rear of the car perfectly, which is, in my opinion, the best car badge design I have seen in years. On the other hand, I was also amazed that a Swedish brand has designed a Chinese car badge with such a sense of design…
Interior: Nordic-style “luxury renovation”
Regarding the design of the interior, Polestar 2’s visual effect is textbook-worthy.
Don’t be fooled by the dark color of our Polestar 2. It includes various colors, such as black, gray, high-light black, bright silver, and grid gray, as well as materials with multiple textures, such as fabric, metal, and wood. Even in a dark color, you can still feel the “non-monotone” vibe that Polestar 2 provides when you sit in the car.
The overall contour and proportion design of the center console is so beautiful that you can see it just by looking at the pictures. The bright orange safety belt, the frameless design of the rearview mirror, and the polished bright silver metal vents with the wind volume knob made of the same metal material, which is not only embossed but also painted with appropriate damping, paired with the metal buckle inlaid mesh fabric door handle. This interior design of the Polestar 2 perfectly integrates color, texture, and visual design.
There is also the Polestar logo reflecting on the panoramic sunroof at night, which is perfectly mixed with the stunning night view of the city, with its appropriately cold white color being simple and eye-catching. And if you sit in the front row, in a dimly lit environment, you can even see the second “polestar” on the panoramic sunroof, which is reflected by the gearshift.
The Polestar 2’s interior seems like a Nordic bedroom with a steering wheel, with everything designed to blend in, accentuate and stand out properly.
Don’t overlook its comprehensive performance
Polestar 2’s performance and design are the two most attractive features, but what really impresses me is its all-around performance.The Geely Star 2 is equipped with the Pilot Assist navigation assistance system, which includes a series of driving assistance functions such as ACC, lane keeping, and lane change assist. Let’s take a look at its hardware configuration for this driving assistance system:
- Number of cameras: 5
- Number of cameras involved in perception for driving assistance: 1
- Number of millimeter-wave radars: 1
- Number of ultrasound sensors: 14 (including 2 blind spot sensors)
Although the hardware for driving assistance in the Geely Star 2 is not particularly impressive, in terms of user experience, both the lane keeping in normal conditions and handling in some corners are relatively smooth. Acceleration and braking control are also gentle.
Especially during range testing, my colleague said that it was fortunate the driving assistance system of the Geely Star 2 was quite easy to use, or it would have been very tiring.
Moreover, the Geely Star 2 is particularly vigilant in terms of safety.
For example, its lane change assist not only has mirror lights and steering wheel vibration, but when it feels that the distance to the following car has reached a dangerous level, the Geely Star 2 will take the initiative to intervene and steer the car back to the original lane.
The reverse automatic emergency braking is accurate when detecting both dynamic and static targets. When a warning is detected, it will stop the car in a timely manner. However, the braking force feels somewhat excessive, and it takes some time to adapt.
Unfortunately, due to limited vehicle schedules, we did not perform driving assistance testing under the 42Mark standard. We will test the Geely Star 2 again in the future to see how its driving assistance capabilities perform.
Regarding range, our testers tested the Geely Star 2 for both urban and highway range in Shanghai. However, one thing to note is that the range displayed is dynamically calculated, rather than using a fixed energy consumption value like most electric vehicles. Therefore, we felt that the displayed range was somewhat inaccurate after some enthusiastic driving. As a result, our testers had to drive the car to their limits during range testing.
In the end, the Geely Star 2 achieved a real-world urban range of 348.4 km and a highway (99%-3%) range of 321 km, compared to the NEDC figure of 450 km.
From the power consumption table of our recorded urban range, we could also see that the displayed range of the Geely Star 2 is unreliable in the first half but becomes more accurate in the second half. Therefore, we recommend drivers to rely more on the percentage of the battery displayed during daily driving.
Also, it is worth noting that when the remaining range of the Polestar 2 is above 50 km, it is displayed in increments of 10 km. When the remaining range is between 20 and 50 km, it is displayed in increments of 5 km. Only when the remaining range is below 20 km is it displayed in increments of 1 km.
The Polestar 2 is positioned more towards daily commuting, and this level of range is generally sufficient for daily use, especially considering that the current main models of Tesla Model 3 and NIO ES6 have similar levels of range. Besides, with the 300 kW power of the Polestar 2, driving pleasure is the main theme.
Speaking of space and practicality, both the front and back seats of the Polestar 2 are comfortable, and the height of the rear seat cushion is much better than that of Tesla Model 3, which is very noticeable for tall people like me.
Furthermore, the Polestar 2 is equipped with a tailgate that can be opened by kicking your foot, which is very convenient for loading and unloading items. This high-end and convenient feature is unmatched by Tesla Model 3.
A charming electric car
At this point, the article is almost finished, and I think it is necessary to summarize the comparison with Tesla Model 3 here. The conclusion is still the same: As pure electric sports cars, the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
To be honest, I really appreciate the Tesla Model 3. It has a better range advantage, a more powerful driving feedback, and its advanced driver assistance capabilities are self-evident. Many of its concepts are very advanced and extreme, and it is more like a technological product of the automotive form.
Now let’s talk about the Polestar 2. Compared with the Model 3, it lacks many extreme concepts and adds more humanistic sentiments. It has higher playability and more balanced daily performance. It is more comfortable to sit in and looks more beautiful, both inside and out.
## Summary of Polestar 2
It is actually not an easy thing to summarize Polestar 2. After a week of using it, it’s hard to articulate my admiration for it. If I may speak from an emotional standpoint, Polestar 2 is truly a charming car: its appearance is beautiful and unique, its performance is impressive and exciting to drive, it’s practical in terms of space and passenger comfort, and its range and charging are not major problems.
I don’t think it’s perfect, there is still room for improvement. But the joy it brings me is immeasurable and unforgettable.
It’s fascinating, this mystical and subjective thing, and Polestar 2 has achieved it. In my opinion, it is a car that transcends its role as a mere tool. For those who value ritual and have high aesthetic expectations in their lives, I believe Polestar 2 will not disappoint them.
The phone rang, and the chauffeur informed me that he had arrived at the designated location. Time really flies, it’s time to say goodbye to Polestar 2. When I handed the key to the chauffeur, he said something that I have heard many times this week but never tire of hearing: “Your car is really good-looking.”
The chauffeur slowly drove away, and as I watched the distinctive red taillights gradually blur and fade out of sight, I surprisingly didn’t feel any reluctance. After slowly returning to my senses, I realized the feeling:
As a car enthusiast, if you can truly appreciate the beauty of a car and enjoy it to the fullest, that feeling is enough to make you feel content and satisfied.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.