The Polestar 2 has been with us for quite a while now, and over the years, the Swedish EV brand has been giving it incremental updates. For 2023, however, the updates are much more pronounced, especially under the skin, though it’s not significant enough to be considered a mid-cycle facelift. Due to these updates, the Polestar 2 has been given a price increase across the range. The Polestar 2 Single Motor now starts at $48,400 (+$2,500), while the Dual Motor version now starts at $51,900 (+$700). These prices do not yet consider the $7,500 federal tax credit and $1,400 destination fee.

The 2023 Polestar 2 still looks roughly the same as when it was first released. There’s no denying its minimalist Swedish charm that echoes through its finely-styled sheet metal. Setting the 2023 model apart from its predecessors is the new 19- and 20-inch wheel choices and two new color choices: Jupiter Metallic and Space Metallic Black. These colors came from the Polestar 1, and it’s also great to know that Magnesium is now a no-cost paint option.

The interior has also been updated with new material and trim choices, most of which are now sustainably sourced, but most of this model year’s updates happen under the skin. The Dual Motor version now has increased range thanks to a software update, and this is on top of an upcoming performance software update (albeit not for free) that’s expected to come later this year.

Just like before, the Polestar 2 can be optioned with the Performance Pack, which on the aesthetics front, adds 20-inch four-spoke forged alloy wheels, gold valve caps, and gold seat belts.

Additionally, the updates made to the Polestar 2 center around sustainability. For instance, the aluminum tray that carries the battery casing and the aluminum wheels for all versions will see a CO2e reduction of 2,976 lbs per car, thanks to the decision to only purchase aluminum from smelters that use renewable energy.

*Prices do not take into account the $7,500 federal tax credit

Apart from Magnesium, all other colors for the Polestar 2 come with a $1,250 additional charge.

This year, the Polestar 2 Dual Motor is destined to receive a software update that will increase its horsepower figures by 68 and its torque figure by 15 pound-feet. This, however, isn’t for free, and in Europe, it will cost €1,000 via the Polestar Extras webshop. Its pricing and release date for the North American market has not yet been announced, however, at current exchange rates, a NA price of around $1,050 would be about right.

For those who want even more performance, you can opt for the Performance Pack which adds 20-inch performance summer tires, gold Brembo four-piston aluminum front calipers, drilled ventilated front discs, Öhlins Dual Flow Valve adjustable shock absorbers, and an upgraded chassis.

Opting for the Plus Pack also adds an improved heat pump, which now has an optimal temperature range that ranges from 20°F to 77°F. Current owners of the Polestar 2 with the heat pump will also receive these benefits via a software update coming this year.

As with every vehicle from Polestar (and Volvo for that matter), the interior layout is very minimalist and free from clutter. There are only a few buttons, for better or worse. Sure, the layout is cleaner, but it means that the climate controls are integrated into the infotainment system.

The material selection is also very impressive, with rich, premium materials that also happen to be sustainably sourced. You get a choice of textile, WeaveTech (synthetic leather), or the real animal-based stuff in the form Nappa Leather, which is sourced from a supplier called Bridge of Weir since they adhere to the strictest of animal welfare standards.

A new removable sunshade for the panoramic sunroof is now offered as standard for the 2023 model year. Those who own an older Polestar 2 can now order the sunshade via the Polestar Extras webshop.

Thanks to the Polestar 2 featuring a lift-up hatchback, accessing the trunk is very easy. However, its trunk space of 14.3 cubic-feet isn’t as big as rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 which offers 0.7 cubic-feet more. The Polestar 2’s front trunk is also not as big as the Tesla’s, offering just 1.2 cubic-feet as opposed to the Model 3’s 3.1 cubic-feet.

At least when you fold the seats down, you have 38.7 cubic-feet of trunk space, and due to its hatchback tailgate, you are able to utilize all of that open space as a result.

The Polestar 2 is certainly packed with technology, as it comes with an 11.2-inch portrait touch screen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. All of this is powered by a Google-developed Android Automotive operating system. Not to be confused with the Android Auto smartphone integration feature, Android Automotive natively is powered by Google, and as a result, the interface is extremely user-friendly and responsive to use. It’s practically the best touch-based infotainment system out there.

In addition, the Android Automotive software also means that the Polestar 2 is futureproofed, thanks to over-the-air (OTA) update support and also the convenience of having your Google account directly linked to the vehicle for navigation, music, and more.

Every new Polestar vehicle comes with a four-year or 50,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. This is also the same with its powertrain. On the other hand, the battery comes with an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. All Polestar vehicles also come with free maintenance for three years or 30,000 miles.

As for reliability, Volvo’s reputation for reliability isn’t as stellar as your usual Asian offerings, though the Swedish brand isn’t at the bottom end of reliability rankings. Polestar, however, is a relatively new brand, which means that its long-term ownership is still unknown at this point.

Unsurprisingly, since Polestar is Volvo’s EV brand, its safety credentials are indeed excellent. The Polestar 2 was last rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with the best rating of five stars. On top of this, the Polestar 2 comes with a generous amount of advanced safety tech, but not all of it comes as standard.

The 2023 Polestar 2 comes with automatic emergency braking, reverse camera, and all-around parking sensors as standard, but you can spec for the Pilot Pack for more advanced driver-assistance tech, which is an optional $3,400 extra.

With the Pilot Pack, you will benefit from stuff such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert with rear automatic emergency braking, rear collision warning and mitigation, adaptive cruise control, Pilot Assist high- and low-speed lane centering, 360-degree cameras, cornering lights, side park assist, and auto-dimming exterior mirrors.

The Polestar 2 is now a more compelling choice thanks to the mechanical updates that were made to the vehicle. While the Tesla Model 3 still offers a better range and the BMW i4 is the benchmark in terms of polish and driving dynamics, the Polestar 2’s competitive price tag (when taking into account the federal tax credit and other potential state incentives) and generous equipment list make it an electric compact luxury sedan worth considering.

The Polestar 2 starts at $48,400 (+$2,500), while the Dual Motor version now starts at $51,900 (+$700). This does not yet consider the $1,400 destination fee and the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles.

Since the price difference between the Single Motor and Dual Motor is almost negligible, we’d recommend splurging for the Dual Motor instead. While this model’s range is 270 miles as opposed to the Single Motor’s 280-mile range, the significant boost in performance is more than worth the 10-mile range penalty.

The Tesla Model 3 is the best-seller in the segment, and for good reason. With a wide network of Tesla Superchargers and a range that’s best in its class, this is the EV to go for if you are worried about range anxiety and you want the peace of mind of a diverse charging network.

Read our review of the Tesla Model 3 here.

On the other hand, the BMW i4 is the class benchmark in terms of driving dynamics. This is despite the fact that the i4 is riding on a platform that was developed to also house an internal combustion engine. Its steering is spot on for the class, and its body control is still one of the best in its segment. Its range, however, isn’t as good as the Tesla’s, but it should be good enough for most people’s needs.

Read our review of the BMW i4 here.