Polestar 2

New cars come out all the time. But how about a new car from an all-new brand? That doesn't happen very often, but our "once in a blue moon" event is here with the 2021 Polestar 2 small electric luxury sedan.

Polestar is a new offshoot from Volvo. In the past, there have been Polestar-engineered performance versions of existing Volvo vehicles. Now it's getting its own vehicle lineup but with a different, more modern take. Instead of throaty exhausts and high-strung turbocharged engines, there's lots of electricity and luxury.

The Polestar 2 is meant to rival the Tesla Model 3. It has more squared-off styling than the 3 and a large rear hatch area in lieu of a standard trunk, as the Model 3 has. Range is certainly decent — the EPA estimates you can go 233 miles on a full charge — but there's no way to upgrade to a bigger battery and more range, as you can with the Model 3.

Inside, the Polestar 2 uses Google's Android to power the infotainment system. It incorporates Google Maps, Google Play and Google Assistant right into an 11.2-inch touchscreen interface. Voice controls are cloud-based and as advanced as those on your smartphone, allowing you to check the weather or control your seat heater just by saying "Hey, Google" followed by a command. Rest easy, iPhone owners — you don't need an Android-based phone to interface with the system, and wireless Apple CarPlay will be a feature added (via over-the-air update) by the end of 2020.

As with the Model 3, your phone can act as the key, though two key fobs and an activity key are also provided. With your phone you can stay updated on things such as the remaining range and charging status or remotely precondition your cabin temp. You can even send a temporary digital key to someone if, say, you're away and need them to move your car on street-sweeping day.

So how does it all turn out? Is it a Tesla Model 3 killer? Read our Expert Rating below to find out.

Which 2 does MatoCar recommend?

The Polestar 2 debuts as a generously equipped trim aptly called the Launch Edition. There will eventually be more basic trims offered, but no details have been announced.

Launch EditionComes loaded with:

• Dual electric motors producing 408 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque
• 78-kWh battery
• DC fast charger port (up to 150 kW DC fast-charging capability)
• Polestar digital key (lets you use your phone as a key)
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Dual-zone climate control
• Interior ambient lighting
• 11-inch touchscreen
• Four USB-C power ports
• Hands-free liftgate

The Plus package, which is also standard, adds:

• Panoramic glass roof
• 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system
• Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
• High-pressure headlight-cleaning nozzles
• Heated front and rear seats
• Heated steering wheel and wiper blades
• Wireless phone charger

It also comes with the Pilot package, a comprehensive suite of advanced safety aids that includes:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Polestar 2 and the car in front)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Polestar 2 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) with automatic braking
• Fully automatic (driverless) parking
• Road sign recognition
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Polestar 2 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

But wait, there's more! The optional Performance package adds:

• Sport-tuned suspension with Öhlins performance dampers
• Brembo front brakes
• 20-inch forged alloy wheels with summer tires
• High-gloss black roof panel
• Gold-colored seat belts

Stand-alone options include:

• Ventilated Nappa leather upholstery with reconstructed wood trim
• 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires