How Long Will A Polestar 2 Last? (14 Important Facts)

The Polestar 2 is a fully-electric vehicle made by Volvo’s performance and EV-oriented Polestar brand.

It combines sport sedan styling with the space and ride height of a crossover.

It’s definitely striking and unique on the outside, but the inside is also very modern and refined.

Aside from its top safety ratings, Car and Driver also ranked the 2023 Polestar 2 in second place among all other EVs in its segment.

This article takes a close look at the Polestar 2’s common issues, average lifespan, and reliability – among many other things.

Here is the short answer to how long the Polestar 2 lasts:

The Polestar 2 should be able to last 300,000 – 400,000 miles before repair costs become uneconomical. Taking into account battery degradation with time and based on driving 15,000 miles per year, a Polestar 2 could last 15 years or more providing it’s properly maintained.

How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Polestar 2?

The Polestar 2 first hit the market in 2020, following in the footsteps of the significantly more expensive and luxurious Polestar 1 hybrid.

It uses the same platform as Volvo’s XC40 Recharge, which is also the first-ever EV sold under the Volvo brand. Both vehicles were released at roughly the same time.

The Polestar 2 will likely have no trouble lasting 200,000 miles and could realistically last 300,000 – 400,000 miles, which isn’t unheard of for a modern EV.

The two-wheel drive single-motor model has a range of around 270 miles while the dual-motor version can get to about 230 miles.

Taking this estimated range and assuming the battery lasts at least 1,500 charge cycles, in theory, you can expect to get to about 350,000 miles of total mileage out of the Polestar 2.

Aside from repeated charge and discharge cycles, batteries also degrade much quicker with heat. But similar to other well-designed EVs, the Polestar 2 uses liquid cooling and advanced battery management systems to help extend the life of its batteries.

Another cause for battery degradation is time – batteries degrade even if you don’t use them.

So even if the car isn’t used much, it won’t have the same range 10 years from now as it did when it was brand new. But it should still be a very usable daily driver well after a decade.

All Polestar 2s come with a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty. The electric drivetrain, which includes the batteries and motors, is covered for 8 years/100,000 miles, and up to 10 years/150,000 miles in some states, such as California.

Common Problems of the Polestar 2

We’ve looked at various Internet forums to find out what issues owners are experiencing with their Polestar 2. 

Internet Connectivity Issues

Many Polestar 2 owners have experienced losing their Internet connection intermittently for short periods of time. 

Although it’s a minor issue that doesn’t affect the vehicle’s drivability, it can be pretty annoying since a lot of the Polestar 2’s advanced features require an active Internet connection to work properly.

In most cases, the root cause of the problem is the TCAM (Telematics and Connectivity Antenna Module) or the shark fin antenna on the roof of the car. It’s responsible for all of the car’s networking capabilities, i.e. LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. 

This TCAM issue is actually prevalent in other modern Volvos like the XC40, XC60 and XC90. In most cases, a reset or a software update fixes the issue.

Charging Issues

On some occasions, owners have reported having difficulty charging their Polestar 2 at public charging stations such as Electrify America, ChargePoint and EVgo locations. 

A commonly suggested workaround for this problem is to hold the charging connector slightly upwards to ensure that the ‘handshake’ process is successful. Sometimes, trying out another charging station (usually a lower kilowatt one or a newer station) also works.

Software Bugs and Glitches 

The Polestar 2’s different software systems are not completely finished yet and Polestar is constantly releasing new updates for the vehicle. As such, some owners tend to encounter random software glitches from time to time, which are usually pretty minor.

Some of the bugs and errors people have reported include:

• Problems with the Phone as Key (PAK) functionality
• Random restart of the infotainment system
• Phantom/sudden braking while reversing
• Incorrect charge time estimates
• Charging limits are ignored by the car
• Google Assistant not working

People are more likely to report negative experiences on the Internet though, and most of these glitches happen rarely enough that most Polestar 2 owners hardly even notice them at all.

Related: 12 Most Common Polestar 2 Problems (Explained)

What is High Mileage for a Polestar 2?

A Polestar 2 with roughly 100,000 miles or more is considered high mileage. Although it will still have plenty of life left, the car will have acquired general wear and tear and the battery will have degraded to some extent.

Keep in mind the Polestar 2’s standard warranty only goes up to 50,000 miles, so any issues you come across you’ll have to pay for out of your own pocket.

The battery pack’s warranty also expires at 100,000 miles, so you won’t have any coverage after that in case you encounter issues with the EV powertrain.

Though EVs require much less maintenance than an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle, it still uses a lot of the same components used in a regular vehicle, such as brakes, suspension, tires, climate control, etc. At 100,000 miles, the car will have more wear and tear on it and some of these systems and parts will need replacing much sooner. 

There’s also no telling how well the Polestar 2’s electrical components and computers will hold up over time. And if any of these parts fail, it will likely be very expensive and difficult to repair.

When buying a used Polestar 2, consider the following:

• Asses the battery life: A used EV will have depleted cells which will mean it will have a shorter range after a full charge cycle. The dealership should be able to give you a detailed report on battery life.
• Maintenance history. Check that the car was properly serviced and the owner can provide evidence of this.
• Battery Warranty: Double-check how long the battery warranty has left, you should be able to verify this with Polestar’s customer service department using the vehicle’s VIN number.
• Inspect the interior: this can often give a good idea how well the owner really cared for their vehicle.

How Long Does the Polestar 2 Last Compared to Other Electric Vehicles?

In this section, we’ll compare the Polestar 2 to some of its rivals in the luxury EV segment.

Polestar 2 vs. Tesla Model 3

The Model 3 has been the best-selling EV for a couple of years now and it’s the Polestar 2’s strongest rival.

The Model 3 has better EV tech and range than the Polestar, but it’s also had its share of build quality issues.

The Model 3 can last 300,000 – 500,000 miles based on long-term tests performed on older Tesla models.

• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Model 3 a slightly higher 4.7/5 for reliability compared to the Polestar 2’s 4.5/5. 
• Edmunds consumer reviews gave the Model 3 an overall rating of 4.2/5 which is almost the same as the Polestar 2’s 4.3/5. 
• RepairPal does not have reliability ratings for Tesla but it gave Volvo, the parent company of Polestar, a 3.5/5 which is considered above average.
• The Model 3 is more energy-efficient than the Polestar 2 which allows it to have more range even if its Standard Range model has a smaller battery.

Owner reviews for both vehicles are pretty equal. The Model 3 has better overall software and energy efficiency, but the Polestar 2 has better build quality and driving dynamics.

The Model 3 is the more proven platform and many owners of older Tesla models have driven their cars past 300,000 miles quite easily.

Volvo has been making cars for almost 100 years although they’re a new player in the EV industry though, so it’s hard to predict how durable the Polestar 2 will actually be. 

Model 3s are everywhere nowadays and aren’t as unique as they used to be. If you want something a little more special and exclusive, the Polestar 2 is a great alternative that’s guaranteed to turn a few heads.

Related: How Long Do Tesla Model 3 Last?

Polestar 2 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Ioniq 5 is a new EV from Hyundai and is one of the first major releases for its all-electric Ioniq sub-brand.

It looks more like a traditional SUV crossover compared to the Polestar 2. It also has more cargo space and has better range.

The Ioniq 5 should be able to easily last 300,000 – 400,000 miles which is the same as the Polestar 2’s expected lifespan.

• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Ioniq 5 a 5/5 for reliability compared to the Polestar 2’s 4.5/5. 
• Edmunds consumer reviews gave the Ioniq 5 an overall rating of 4.2/5 which is almost the same as the Polestar 2’s 4.3/5. 
• RepairPal gave Hyundai a reliability rating of 4/5 which is higher than the 3.5/5 it gave to Volvo, the parent company of Polestar.
• The largest battery that comes with the Ioniq 5 is almost the same size as the Polestar 2’s but the Ioniq 5 has slightly better range.

Hyundai is known for making affordable yet perfectly reliable vehicles. The Ioniq 5 starts at a much cheaper price than the Polestar 2, but it’s not on the same level in terms of refinement and design.

Hyundai has a bit of a head start when it comes to producing EVs, but the Ioniq 5 is their first all-electric vehicle designed from the ground up. Reliability for both EVs is still to be determined as they’re both very new models.

The Ioniq 5 offers more space than the Polestar and its extra range makes it more practical overall. But the Polestar 2 is a better choice if you’re looking for something a little more exotic and exciting.

Polestar 2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E 

The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first mass market electric vehicle and it’s got a good combination of style, performance and practicality.

It’s more of a crossover than the Polestar 2 and it also has more space on the inside, offers better range and faster straight line acceleration.

We expect the Mustang Mach-E to be able to last 300,000 – 500,000 miles which is only slightly higher than the Polestar 2’s expected lifespan.

• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Mustang Mach-E 4.6/5 for reliability which is only a bit higher than the Polestar 2’s 4.5/5. 
• Edmunds consumer reviews gave the Mustang Mach-E an overall rating of 4.2/5 which is almost the same as the Polestar 2’s 4.3/5. 
• RepairPal gave Ford and Volvo the same reliability rating of 3.5/5.
• The Mach-E’s extended range battery is much larger than the Polestar 2’s which allows it provide over 300 miles of range.

The Mustang Mach-E presents stiff competition for the Polestar 2.

They both look exciting and sporty, and owner reviews seem to be pretty even between the two models. But the Mach-E has also been awarded by both Car and Driver and Consumer Reports as the top EV for 2022. The Polestar 2 isn’t far behind in Car and Driver’s rankings though, and places in the number 2 spot.

Ford also has a great track record with its hybrids, which means they know how to build very reliable batteries and electric motors. All this gives the Mach-E a slight advantage as far as average lifespan is concerned.

Related: How Long Will a Ford Mustang Mach-E Last?

Comparison Chart

Is the Polestar 2 Reliable?

Based on consumer feedback, the Polestar 2 has proven itself to be a very reliable vehicle in the short time that it’s been on the roads. However, there isn’t a huge amount of data available and Volvo cars although robust, are not best known for their reliability.

Aside from software glitches, there haven’t been any major issues reported for the Polestar 2 even after being on the market for a few years.

Some owners have recently been getting errors about the propulsion system but it’s usually resolved by a reset or a software update. Problems like these should also be covered by the 8-year/100,000-mile EV powertrain warranty once the standard warranty runs out.

Older Volvos have also been known to last for hundreds of thousands of miles and some have even gone past 1 million miles. But designing EVs and computer-controlled electronics is completely different and only time will tell how reliable these systems are in modern Volvos and Polestars.

Consumer Reports had this to say: “We expect the 2022 Polestar 2 to be less reliable than other new cars. This prediction is based on Volvo’s brand history and the electric vehicle type.”

Owner reviews of the Polestar 2 so far have been very positive and it’s proven itself to be a very reliable daily driver.

• Kelley Blue Book’s consumer rating index gave the Polestar 2 a 4.5/5 for reliability which is on par with other EVs in its class.
• Edmunds consumer reviews gave the Polestar 2 an overall rating of 4.3/5.
• RepairPal gave Volvo an overall reliability rating of 3.5/5 which is considered above average.

Polestar Reliability Compared to Other Brands

Polestar’s parent company Volvo sits towards the bottom of Consumer Reports reliability rankings which is something to bear in mind when buying a Polestar 2.

The Best and Worst Years for the Polestar 2

The Polestar 2 only started deliveries in late 2020, so there aren’t too many differences between model years yet.

Worst Model Year

2021 is the first model year of the Polestar 2 and it’s likely to suffer the most from early build quality issues. 

Subsequent model years also introduced more features and configurations, as well as a significant price drop.

Best Model Year

The 2022 Polestar 2 is currently the best model year as it started offering more individual options and packages to choose from.

2022 is the first model year the mechanical heat pump option was introduced which improved the Polestar 2’s range a bit.

What About Recalls for the Polestar 2?

The Polestar 2 has had 2 recalls logged on the NHTSA recall database so far.

Some early production models of the Polestar 2 sold in Europe were recalled for faulty inverters. Vehicles sold in North America were not included or affected by this recall.

You can check if your Polestar 2 has been subjected to a recall campaign by entering your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the Polestar recall site or the NHTSA recall database.

It is important to note that recalls are manufacturing faults repaired at no charge to the consumer.

Here is the total number of recall campaigns for every model year of the Polestar 2:

• 2022 Polestar 2: 1
• 2021 Polestar 2: 1
• 2020 Polestar 2: 0

Polestar 2 Model Year List

The Polestar 2 started deliveries in Europe in October 2020 and in the U.S. in December 2020.

Starting with the 2022 model, the Polestar 2 saw the introduction of a single-motor front-wheel drive model, more options, and a lower price tag.

First Generation (2021 – present):

• 2021 Polestar 2
• 2022 Polestar 2
• 2023 Polestar 2

Related: How Long Does the Tesla Model X Last?

Is the Polestar 2 Expensive to Maintain?

Maintenance costs for a Polestar 2 should be very low especially while it’s still on its 4-year/50,000-mile warranty.

Once it’s out of the warranty period, ownership costs should be fairly low as it does not need as much preventative maintenance as an ICE-powered vehicle.

Its electronic parts and computer-controlled systems will typically be expensive to replace, which is normal for all European luxury car brands. But this should not be much of a concern until the car is around 5 to 10 years old.

The Polestar 2 also shares many components with the all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge, which should make replacement parts much more widely available.

Its regular service intervals are typically every 2 years or every 20,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Related: How Long Will an Audi e-Tron Last?

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

The Polestar 2’s factory brake pads should be able to last at least 100,000 miles before they need replacing.

Like other EVs, the Polestar 2 uses regenerative braking to slow down the vehicle and charge the battery at the same time, which means the brakes don’t get used as much.

How Long Do the Tires Last?

The Polestar 2’s stock tires should be able to last around 20,000 to 30,000 miles.

An EV’s battery pack adds a lot of weight to the vehicle, so they tend to be heavier than a similarly sized gas-powered vehicle. The extra weight plus the instantaneous torque that the electric motors produce causes more tire wear compared to a regular car.

However, tire wear is also dependent on various factors such as driving habits, climate, and road conditions.

The Polestar 2’s front and rear tires are also different widths so tire rotations are not possible like in other vehicles.

Tire tips:

• Check your tire pressure every few weeks to make sure they’re at the correct tire pressure.
• Check your tires every so often for uneven wear and have it addressed quickly.
• Check your wheel alignment every 6 months.

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

The Polestar 2 doesn’t have a traditional transmission and uses what is essentially a single-speed transmission where power and wheel rotation is directly controlled by the electric motors.

It doesn’t need different gear ratios so there aren’t any gears banging against each other at all times and is much simpler overall.

This means that any transmission-related components should last the entire lifetime of the vehicle and getting 500,000 miles out of them is not that unlikely.

How Long Will the Polestar 2’s Electric Motors Last?

The Polestar 2’s electric motors should last at least 500,000 miles or up to 20 years as long as they’re not abused or neglected.

The reliability of the electric motors should not be much of a concern because these are typically designed to last for the entire lifespan of the vehicle. 

They have less moving parts and are subjected to less heat and friction compared to a regular engine, so there’s less stress on the components.

They’re also liquid-cooled along with the batteries to help prolong their service life.

In most cases, the vehicle will need several battery changes before the electric motors start showing signs of failure.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

The Polestar 2 doesn’t use any spark plugs because it doesn’t use an internal combustion engine.

How Long Do Polestar 2 Batteries Last?

The Polestar 2’s battery should be able to last at least 10 years before it starts showing signs of degradation and could have a useable life up to and potentially beyond 15 years.

Batteries will naturally degrade over time regardless of mileage, but the vehicle should still be very usable even after a decade. It just won’t have the same range as it used to have when it was new.

The Polestar 2’s batteries are also liquid cooled which helps preserve the life of the batteries.

The long-range model’s batteries are also pretty large so they won’t go through as many charge-and-discharge cycles compared to much smaller batteries found in earlier EVs, like the first Nissan Leafs, which are prone to severe battery degradation after only a couple of years.

If you take care of the Polestar 2’s battery it should last at least 200,000 miles and could potentially last in the region of 300,000 – 400,000 miles.

Here are some other tips to keep your Polestar 2’s batteries in good condition:

• Avoid using or storing the vehicle in extremely hot temperatures 
• Don’t let the vehicle sit unused for long periods of time 
• When storing the Polestar 2, slow charge it to avoid battery degradation
• Avoid regularly draining the battery to 0% or charging it to 100% 
• Charging up to 80% is recommended
• Minimize the use of DC fast chargers at public charging stations

What is the Range of the Polestar 2?

The dual-motor Polestar 2 is able to deliver an EPA estimated 249 miles of range while the single-motor model can go up to 270 miles.

Early releases of the Polestar 2 had slightly lower range estimates, but this was improved through subsequent software updates.

Only the Long Range variants with the 78 kwh battery is available in the U.S.

How Long Does the Polestar 2 Take to Charge?

The Polestar 2 can quickly charge back up from 10% to 80% at a DC fast charging station in around 50 minutes.

Charging to a full 100% will take longer because it slows down after 80% to protect the battery.

Related: How Long Will a Porsche Taycan Last?

What About Insurance Costs?

Finder estimates that the Polestar 2 costs around $2,784 per year or roughly $232 per month to insure. 

Insurance costs can vary from person to person, so be sure to shop around to find the best possible deal for your Polestar.

Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Polestar 2

• Practice smooth and safe driving habits.
• Use regenerative braking to extend range and battery life.
• Charging every couple of days is better than charging every day to keep it topped up.
• Keep up to date with factory-recommended maintenance.
• Use quality parts and fluids.
• Keep on top of repairs to prevent them from developing into larger problems.
• Regularly wash your Polestar 2 to remove dirt and grime to protect the paint and undercarriage from rust.
• Keep your Polestar 2 stored in a garage to help protect it from extreme heat.
• Read the owner’s manual to learn the location of important components, what your Polestar needs and in what quantities, and to understand the symbols and dashboard warning lights.

Sources

https://www.caranddriver.com/polestar/polestar-2

https://www.polestar.com/bynder-assets/m/3b46df57d0e5580c

https://www.kbb.com/polestar/2/

https://www.edmunds.com/polestar/2/

https://repairpal.com/reliability/volvo

https://ev-database.org/car/1170/Polestar-2

https://www.polestar.com/us/manual/polestar-2/2021/article/Charging-output/

https://insideevs.com/news/510130/polestar-2-dc-fast-charge/

https://www.finder.com/car-insurance/polestar-2-insurance-rates