SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Polestar is a new stand-alone car brand from the Chinese automaker Geely, that has owned Volvo since 2015.  The name comes from a Swedish team that races Volvo’s. Polestar is the all-electric vehicle brand for Volvo that sells its cars through its own dealer network and online. You can’t buy a Polestar at a Volvo dealership but it’s where Polestar vehicles will get serviced by specific Volvo dealers if you own one.

To further confuse you Volvo offers multiple hybrids and its own all-electric vehicle, the XC40 recharge. Further, Volvo sells Polestar versions of existing electric and hybrid vehicles. Polestar was designed in Sweden by Volvo but is built in China.

As of now there are 34 Polestar dealers in the U.S. and like Tesla are all located in shopping mall locations. and I attended the most recent grand opening of Scottsdale Polestar located in Scottsdale’s Fashion Square Mall and owned by Phoenix’s Courtesy Chevrolet.



Polestar 2 is a tall  four-door hatchback-SUV powered by its 78-kWh battery good for 233–249-mile driving range from our tested 408-hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive model. A less expensive 231-hp single-motor front-wheel drive only model is rated at 270 miles. There’s no key or start button, the car comes to life when you step on the brake pedal, shuts off when placed in Park.

Visually, Polestar’s odd looking, minimalist style isn’t particularly attractive with a look I’d call anonymous. Inside, the minimalism continues not only with style but with space. Entering the cabin, one must duck their head and once seated headroom is nearly non-existent even for average-sized drivers. The footwell is tight and a large, wide, “Y” shaped center console leaves little room for right leg movement. Visibility is challenging especially the rear-view where only a tiny portion visible in the rear-view mirror.

Our Polestar was finished in optional leather seating which looked nice, but the standard eco-friendly vegan seat fabric looked drab with an economy look. There’s wood and plastic trim that helps to dress it up.

A large iPad-esque touchscreen is mounted mid-dash that operates most of the vehicle’s functions through Google’s Android Automotive OS infotainment system. It was pleasantly easy to use, especially the voice activated commands.

On the road, the Polestar can move and quickly, handling was exceptional, well-controlled and agile, but we found the ride firm, choppy and unsettled transmitting bumps, potholes and road imperfections directly into our bodies.

Overall, the driving range is disappointing especially compared to competitors. Exterior styling is bland, interior claustrophobic and rather unremarkable. Polestar tells us a U.S. made Polestar 3 SUV is due to arrive for 2023.

Vital Stats
2022 Polestar 2
Base Price: $64,100
Price as Tested: $65,400
Fuel Economy: 113/100/107 MPGe
233-249 mile driving range

Engine-Transmission
408-dual electric motor
78.0-kWh battery pack lithium-ion
Direct-drive transmission

Seating: 5

Competes With:
BMW i4
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Kia EV6
Tesla Model 3
Volkswagen ID.4

Crash Test Safety Ratings:
Polestar 2 has not been crash tested for ratings from either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Where Built:
China

Fab Features:
Runs entirely on Google’s Android operating system
Superb acceleration
Excellent handling

— Jim Prueter