Not every great EV gets its moment in the spotlight. Some slip under the radar—not because they lack quality, but because the buzz never found them.
We’re not talking about Teslas or Rivians here. We’re talking about the kind of used EV that quietly delivers luxury, performance, and value without the hype.
One model in particular stands out—an underappreciated gem that deserves a second look, especially if you think you’ve already seen the best.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from the Polestar website and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, Kelley Blue Book, and TopSpeed.
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The 2023 Polestar 2 Proves You Don’t Need a Tesla for Premium Electric Driving
The 2023 Polestar 2 might be one of the most underrated EVs on the road today. Sure, it’s not exactly obscure, but it’s rarely at the center of the EV conversation.
To EV superfans, calling it “overlooked” might sound off. After all, Polestar moved over 54,000 cars globally in 2023, and most of those were Polestar 2s.
But zoom out, and things look different. Despite solid sales, the Polestar 2 never really stole the spotlight like other EVs have.
It didn’t generate the kind of buzz you saw around the Tesla Cybertruck, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, or even the Hummer EV. Those grabbed headlines and hype—the Polestar 2 just quietly delivered.
And maybe that’s the point. It’s the EV that’s been hiding in plain sight—stylish, capable, and seriously underrated.
Not Just One Flavor: Polestar 2 Offers Three Powertrain Choices
When car fans get together, the first thing they usually talk about is power—horsepower, torque, and all the numbers under the hood. But strangely, that kind of chatter is pretty quiet when it comes to the Polestar 2.
That’s odd, considering Polestar offers three different motor setups for this luxury electric sedan. They’ve really done a solid job giving drivers some tasty performance options—if only more people knew about it.
2023 Polestar 2 Performance Specifications
Long Range Single Motor | Long Range Dual Motor | Long Range Dual Motor BST Edition 270 | Long Range Dual Motor BST Edition 230 | |
Powertrain | Single-Electric Motor | Dual-Electric Motor | Dual-Electric Motor | Dual-Electric Motor |
Horsepower | 231 HP | 408 HP | 476 HP | 476 HP |
Torque | 243 LB-FT | 487 LB-FT | 502 LB-FT | 502 LB-FT |
Transmission | Single-Speed | Single-Speed | Single-Speed | Single-Speed |
Driveline | Front-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
0-60 MPH | 7.0 Seconds | 4.5 Seconds | 4.2 Seconds | 4.2 Seconds |
Top Speed | 100 MPH | 127 MPH | 127 MPH | 127 MPH |
Battery Size | 78.0-kWh | 78.0-kWh | 78.0-kWh | 78.0-kWh |
The 2023 Polestar 2 comes in three flavors: Long Range Single Motor, Long Range Dual Motor, and the Limited Edition Dual Motor. The base model plays it cool with a single electric motor delivering 231 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque.
It’s the chillest option, hitting 0-60 mph in about 7 seconds. Step up to the Long Range Dual Motor, and you get a serious power boost—408 horses and 487 pound-feet of torque—that drops the sprint to 4.5 seconds.
Then there’s the limited edition, nicknamed the “Beast” for a reason. With performance battery packs, it cranks out 476 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque, blasting from 0-60 in a quick 4.2 seconds.
Delivers Up to 270 Miles on a Single Charge
One thing that might keep the Polestar 2 out of the spotlight? Its range isn’t exactly headline-grabbing.
For newcomers to EVs, range anxiety is real, and anything under 300 miles can raise eyebrows. Plenty of rivals, both budget and premium, cruise well past that mark.
The 2023 Polestar 2 doesn’t quite get there. The single motor tops out at 270 miles, the dual-motor trims hit 260, and the BST Edition trails with 247.
It’s not terrible, but it’s not leading the pack either. Fuel economy is decent, though, landing between 95 and 107 MPGe depending on the configuration.
2023 Polestar 2 Fuel Economy and Range
Single Motor | Dual Motor and Dual Motor Performance Pack | BST Edition | |
Fuel Economy (City) | 113 MPGe | 105 MPGe | 98 MPGe |
Fuel Economy (Highway) | 100 MPGe | 96 MPGe | 91 MPGe |
Fuel Economy (Combined) | 107 MPGe | 100 MPGe | 95 MPGe |
Range | 270 Miles | 260 Miles | 247 Miles |
kWh/100 Miles | 31 kWh/100 Miles | 34 kWh/100 Miles | 36 kWh/100 Miles |
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Polestar Channels Volvo’s Style—Then Makes It Its Own
One of the standout strengths of the 2023 Polestar 2? It has a clean, modern design and thoughtful features.
If the look feels familiar, that’s no coincidence—Polestar is Volvo’s sister brand. And while it’s still relatively new, launching in 2017, it’s already showing serious potential.
Think of it as Lexus to Toyota: a luxury offshoot built on a rock-solid foundation. Polestar takes Volvo’s design cues and safety-first mindset, then adds its own sleek, minimalist twist.
It’s a blend that feels fresh, Scandinavian, and quietly confident—just like the car itself.
Minimalism, Done the Scandinavian Way
The Polestar 2 nails the modern EV interior vibe—minimalist, sleek, and clean. It fits right in with today’s trend of futuristic cabins, but with a bit more warmth.
Like many EVs, it leans into a simple color palette, but with more refinement than you’d find in, say, a Tesla. For 2023, Polestar added new customization options, including fresh interior color combos and materials.
You can choose from vegan-embossed textiles in Charcoal or Zinc, Weavetech in Slate, or go luxe with ventilated Nappa leather in Zinc. It’s all very Scandinavian—calm, cool, and consciously designed.
The standard heated front seats keep things cozy, and the available +Rear package brings that comfort to the back seats, too. The cabin feels spacious without being cold, which is exactly the balance Polestar was aiming for.
Packed With Smart, Sleek Tech
Keeping with the Polestar 2’s clean, modern vibe, the 11.25-inch center display eliminates most of the buttons and knobs you’d find in a traditional cabin. It was also the first car to launch with Google’s Android Automotive OS built right in.
That means native Google Maps, Assistant, and apps—all voice-controlled and constantly improving with use. Behind the wheel, a crisp 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster keeps things sharp and intuitive.
Polestar didn’t stop at screens and software, though. It added an advanced air filtration system said to outperform what most homes and offices offer.
Drivers can also personalize interior lighting to match their mood, adding a subtle layer of comfort and control. And yes, while Google powers it, Apple CarPlay comes standard, too.
Tech is woven seamlessly into the experience here. And we’ve barely scratched the surface.
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Used 2023 Polestar 2 Models Start Around $22K
Luxury EVs usually come with wallet-shaking price tags—but the 2023 Polestar 2 is starting to flip that narrative. While it originally launched at nearly $50K, used models can now be found starting around $22,415.
That’s a severe drop, especially for a car that still feels fresh and premium. Limited-run BST editions are holding value a bit better, often landing closer to $41K.
If you’re eyeing the Long Range model with the performance pack, expect resale prices of around $32,883. Not bad for a sleek, tech-loaded EV with serious style.
In 2025, the 2023 Polestar 2 Stands Out as the EV to Own
Whether the 2023 Polestar 2 is truly overlooked or not is up for debate, but one thing’s clear—it’s impressively designed and built.
The base model is suitable if you want something easygoing with just enough power. But if you crave excitement and punchy performance, Polestar has you covered, too.
No matter which trim you pick, you get a solid mix of luxury and convenience that feels like a steal. The Polestar 2 is a well-rounded luxury EV, and given time, it might just outshine heavy hitters like the Tesla Model 3.
