As a digital technology expert, I‘ve long been fascinated by the rapid advancement of electric vehicles. EVs aren‘t just transforming the automotive industry with their battery-powered drivetrains–they‘re also pushing in-car tech and connectivity to new heights. One of the most impressive examples of this next-generation digital cockpit experience can be found in the Polestar 2, the first pure EV from Volvo‘s premium performance brand.
I recently had the opportunity to spend a day driving the range-topping Polestar 2 Performance edition, which enhances the dual-motor EV‘s already potent performance with a host of go-fast goodies. But while the Performance edition‘s extra power and handling prowess immediately stand out, it‘s the cutting-edge tech that really sets this electric sport sedan apart. From the Google-powered infotainment system to the advanced driver assists, the Polestar 2 offers a glimpse at the future of the digital driving experience.
Polestar 2 Performance By the Numbers
Before we dive into the Polestar 2‘s on-board tech, let‘s quickly run through some key specs of the Performance edition I drove:
| Specification | Polestar 2 Performance |
|---|---|
| Base price | $59,900 |
| Motors | Dual permanent-magnet synchronous |
| Power | 476 hp |
| Torque | 502 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 4.2 seconds |
| Battery | 78 kWh lithium-ion |
| Range | 249 miles (EPA) |
| Charging | 150 kW DC fast charging |
| Weight | 4,680 lbs |
As you can see, the Polestar 2 Performance edition comes well-equipped to take on segment benchmarks like the Tesla Model 3 Performance. With a substantial 78 kWh battery pack sending power to electric motors on each axle, the all-wheel drive Polestar 2 puts down a healthy 476 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque. That‘s enough electric thrust to scoot the roughly 4,700-pound sedan to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds (source).
But while the Polestar 2 Performance is certainly quick, it can‘t quite hang with the face-melting acceleration of the Model 3 Performance‘s 3.1-second 0-60 mph time (source). The Polestar also falls short of the Tesla‘s 315-mile range, managing only 249 miles on a charge according to the EPA. But numbers aren‘t everything, and from behind the wheel, the Polestar 2 Performance delivers a deeply satisfying and engaging driving experience enhanced by its on-board tech.
Google-Powered Infotainment
Hop into the driver‘s seat of the Polestar 2, and one thing immediately grabs your attention: the huge, vertically-oriented 11.2-inch center touchscreen display. This is the command center for the Polestar‘s infotainment system, which is unique in the industry for being the first to feature an operating system designed by Google.
That‘s right–the Polestar 2 runs Android Automotive OS, a platform developed by Google specifically for vehicles. This isn‘t like Android Auto, which projects a limited version of your phone‘s interface onto the car‘s screen. No, Android Automotive OS is a fully-fledged operating system baked right into the Polestar 2‘s hardware.
The result is an infotainment experience that looks and feels like a cutting-edge Android tablet. The home screen features crisp, colorful tiles for key functions like navigation, media, phone, and EV info. Swipe down from the top to access vehicle controls and settings. It‘s all blissfully intuitive and responsive, with none of the lag or bugginess that plagues some automaker infotainment systems.
Of course, being a Google-designed operating system, the Polestar 2 comes with all of Google‘s excellent apps and services built right in. Google Maps is your navigation system, with buttery smooth performance, excellent traffic data, and charging station integration. Google Assistant is always at the ready to answer questions, set reminders, or control vehicle functions with natural voice commands. And the Google Play Store allows you to download a curated selection of third-party media apps like Spotify right to the car.
It all works beautifully and provides a level of functionality and polish that you won‘t find in any other in-car infotainment system short of Tesla‘s. The digital instrument cluster in front of the driver is also customizable, allowing you to display everything from basic speed and range info to full-screen maps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported as well for those who prefer to use their smartphone‘s interface.
But the Polestar 2‘s cutting-edge tech extends beyond just the infotainment system. The advanced driver assist features, for example, leverage an impressive array of sensors and cameras to provide aids like adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind spot monitoring, and more. The 360-degree camera system offers a crystal clear bird‘s eye view of the car for easy parking maneuvers. And the Polestar‘s connected car capabilities allow for over-the-air software updates to continually improve the vehicle‘s features and functionality.
The Competition
Of course, the Polestar 2 isn‘t the only EV on the market with an impressive tech loadout. Its most direct competitor, the Tesla Model 3, also boasts a huge central touchscreen and connected car features. But Tesla‘s infotainment system, while responsive and feature-rich, can‘t quite match the intuitive interface and Google services integration of the Polestar‘s Android Automotive OS.
Other luxury EVs like the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE offer their own takes on the digital cockpit with varying degrees of success. The e-tron‘s dual-screen MMI Touch Response system looks slick but can be a bit confusing to navigate. The I-PACE‘s InControl Touch Pro Duo is also visually impressive but suffers from slowness and bugs. In terms of overall user experience and functionality, I think the Polestar 2 tops them all.
The Future of Polestar
The Polestar 2 is an incredibly impressive first effort from a young brand, especially on the digital tech front. But this is just the beginning for Polestar. The company has aggressive plans to launch a new EV every year for the next three years, starting with the Polestar 3 electric crossover in 2022.
All of these upcoming models will ride on a new dedicated EV architecture developed by Polestar and Volvo. They‘ll also feature even more advanced tech like 5G connectivity, vehicle-to-grid charging capabilities, and autonomous driving aids (source).
By 2025, Polestar aims to be selling 290,000 EVs per year globally (source). That would make it a serious player in the premium EV space. With the combination of Scandinavian design, Volvo‘s operational expertise, and some of the best in-car tech in the industry, I have no doubt Polestar will hit that target.
Conclusion
After spending a day with the Polestar 2 Performance edition, I came away thoroughly impressed with this electric sport sedan, especially from a digital tech perspective. The infotainment system, with its Android Automotive OS and baked-in Google apps and services, is hands down the best on the market for usability and features. The digital instrument cluster and driver assist tech are also top-notch. And of course, the Polestar 2 Performance is an absolute blast to drive with its potent electric acceleration and sharp handling.
Polestar may be a young brand, but it‘s already proving that the future of transportation is not only electric, but also defined by cutting-edge in-car tech and connectivity. For EV buyers who demand both performance and the latest digital goodies, the Polestar 2 needs to be on your short list. I can‘t wait to see how Polestar continues to push the envelope with its upcoming EVs.
Note: The author was provided with a Polestar 2 Performance press vehicle for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.
