From the moment the Model 3 was unveiled, other car manufacturers have been trying to emulate the success of Tesla’s entry-level model. The Polestar 2 is the most compelling rival to date.
Shortly after the first reviews of the Polestar 2 came out of Europe, Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire has had the opportunity to test out the EV through the canyon roads just outside of Los Angeles.
Watch Also: Polestar 2 Is A Competent EV, But Not As Fun To Drive As Tesla’s Model 3
Underpinning the Polestar 2 is the same CMA platform as the Volvo XC40 and beneath the floor is a 78 kWh battery pack that sends juice to a pair of electric motors which produce 408 hp and 487 lb-ft (660 Nm) of torque. Polestar says the car has an estimated EPA range of 275 miles (442 km), but this has yet to be verified.
The Polestar 2 tested by Farah was equipped with the available $5,000 Performance Package that adds things likean adjustable Ohlins suspension, four-piston Brembo front brakes and 20-inch forged alloy wheels.
Off the line, the Polestar 2 could be best described as brisk, hitting 62 mph (100 km/h) in a touch under 5 seconds. While that’s not as fast as the Tesla Model 3 Performance that can reach the same mark in less than 3.5 seconds, it is more than adequate for the everyday driving duties of most EV buyers.