When I drove the 2022 Long Range Polestar 2 Single Motor earlier this year, my biggest wish was to try out the dual-motor version to see what this all-electric sedan can really do. I recently got the chance to test out the 2023 Polestar 2, complete with two motors and plenty of design upgrades compared to its 2022 predecessor. Here are my thoughts.
Let’s start with a very quick refresher course on the Polestar 2. It arrived in 2019 as the second model to debut for the EV-centric brand and its first all-electric option. Since then, the Polestar 2 has continued to grow in popularity alongside the brand behind it, helping set the stage for four additional models that will follow, including the recently debuted Polestar 3 SUV.
This past April, the automaker shared details of the upcoming 2023 version of its Polestar 2, including two new exterior colors. To that note, many of the changes for next year’s model are aesthetic upgrades with a focus on sustainability throughout the build process, an ethos Polestar continues to be celebrated for. Here’s how they break down:
New exterior colors: Space (metallic black) and Jupiter (gold-gray with red flake)
New wheel designs (standard 19″ and optional 20″)
Zinc gray color for ventilated Nappa leather upholstery, available with a new Light Ash deco trim
Removable sunshade for the panoramic glass roof
Improved optimal temperature range for heat pump (included in Plus Pack)
Now between 20°F and 77°F
Increases real-world EV range in adverse conditions
Advanced cabin filter and upgraded interior particulate matter sensor with new in-car app
System quantifies exterior air quality improvement in the cabin
Luckily, I was able to get my hands on the 2023 Polestar 2 (a dual motor this time too) and test it out – here are my impressions.
2023 Polestar 2 shines aesthetically, with few spec upgrades
As you can see from the images above and below, my 2023 version of the Polestar 2 came in the new Space exterior and Zinc interior with light ash deco. This model also came equipped with 20″ 5-V spoke black silver alloy wheels (seen above).
I didn’t really notice a difference between Space and the black exterior of the 2022 Polestar 2 I drove, but the lighter interior with Nappa leather is a major upgrade compared to my last loaner.
The lighter colors offer more of an open feeling within the cabin, whether you’re in the driver’s seat or the back. I usually don’t gravitate toward lighter trim, but in the case of the 2023 Polestar 2, I was thoroughly digging the contrast.
There’s not much else to say about the interior, to be honest, as it is minimalistic in true Polestar fashion. The display layout is the same, although I found the UX a lot easier to use than last time. Especially as it pertained to connecting my own phone via Bluetooth. That being said, it ended up being a lot easier to simply use apps like Google Maps and Spotify on the infotainment system. I still prefer to access apps through my phone using Apple CarPlay, but that’s my personal preference.
Next, we will dig into how the 2023 Polestar 2 drove, but first, let’s give you an idea of some of the performance improvements so you can understand what has changed in a year and what hasn’t. Here’s how both powertrain versions of the 2023 Polestar 2 compare to their predecessors:
*2023 Performance Pack adds 68 HP and 15 lb-ft torque (available on 2023 Dual Motor Polestar 2 only)
I bolded the specs my version of the Polestar 2 was equipped with, which included the Pilot and Plus Packs, but not the Performance Pack, which offers additional HP and torque. Compared to the 2022 Dual Motor, the 2023 Polestar 2 offers the same performance specs, aside from 11 miles of additional range. (We’ll take it.)
Not the most robust model-year upgrade, but compared to my previous drive in the RWD version, the Dual Motor Polestar 2 is a major step up in performance.
If you get this electric sedan, you’ve gotta go dual motor
As you may recall from my drive in the single-motor Polestar 2 earlier this year, my biggest complaint was its lack of power – a common occurrence in RWD EVs. (Who knew!) The Polestar team heard me loud and clear and made sure I got a dual-motor version this time around.
Having driven both now, I would highly recommend two motors. Polestar’s performance specs are by no means industry-leading to begin with, so you’ll need dual-motor torque and horsepower to truly enjoy the speedy ride this sedan can offer.
Even without the Performance Pack, I was very pleased with the acceleration and drive of the 2023 Polestar 2. I personally love how responsive Polestar’s regenerative braking is, some of the stiffest on the market in my opinion. I’m a huge proponent of one-pedal driving, and the Polestar 2 is perfect for drivers who feel the same. I think I used the brake about three times during my entire time with the EV.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, I found myself a bit low, making it slightly difficult to see other vehicles around me. I didn’t notice that last time I drove the Polestar 2, but I’d call that a minor issue at best. A larger issue for me is the size of the sedan itself.
I still don’t love the compact size of the Polestar 2 for its price tag. While the trunk offers ample cargo room and the seats fold down, I find the cabin itself a little cramped. The front truck is also a bit small for how wide the front end is.
Much of Polestar’s higher price tag relates to premium quality materials, and that’s blatantly obvious if you get inside one. Albeit minimalist, the design of the Polestar 2 is beautiful, well assembled, intuitive, and sturdy.
Personally, I still wouldn’t pay the prices Polestar is charging for either powertrain of the Polestar 2, simply because my EV preferences are focused more on range and nascent technology like 800V platforms, bidirectional charging capabilities, and ADAS. These are categories Polestar could use some improvements in and we could very well see in its upcoming models that have less of parent company Volvo’s fingerprints on them.
All that being said, if I had infinite funds and had to choose, I’d definitely go with the 2023 Dual Motor Polestar 2. Hell, throw the Performance Pack in there too. Who doesn’t love more torque?
Although the Polestar 2 is admittedly not my first choice in a new EV, I cannot deny the granularity of its aesthetic, the quality of its assembly, and the overall smoothness of its ride. If you’re a fan of the brand and its EVs, the 2023 Polestar 2 holds true to its creator’s design progress, and there’s a lot of upsides looking ahead.
I’m very much looking forward to what I get to drive next. I’m thinking it’ll be the Polestar 3, the automaker’s first venture into SUVs. Keep an eye out for that soon!
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The Subaru BRZ may live on as an EV after all. Subaru wants its share of the sports car market, and an electric BRZ could hit the sweet spot.
Is Subaru launching an electric BRZ?
Subaru discontinued the BRZ in Europe in 2020 after the first generation. Although its twin, the Toyota GR86, was sold until the 2024 model year, the BRZ was released as a US-only model.
In its third generation, it could return as an EV. Speaking with Autocar, Subaru’s European head, David Dello Stritto, said, “Our options are open,” hinting that the BRZ could make a comeback in electric form.
Subaru’s global EV product boss, Inoue Masahiko, confirmed an electric version of the sports car “was under consideration.” He added that Subaru has extensively looked into an EV version of the BRZ with its partner, Toyota.
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Masahiko explained that “We did consider electrifying the BRZ and GR86, but the win-win relationship is more important.” So far, “We can’t get the kind of benefits from both sides,” he added.
2026 Subaru Uncharted EV (Source: Subaru)
Subaru is already launching several new electric vehicles in Europe, including the new Uncharted, E-Outback (known as Trailseeker in the US), and an updated Solterra SUV.
Stritto said that an electric sports car will depend on the success of these models first, especially the Uncharted. According to Subaru’s European boss, the Japanese automaker feels “very positively about Subaru enthusiasts, but we need to see how Uncharted does first.”
2026 Subaru Solterra EV (Source: Subaru)
As for an “electrified” powertrain, or hybrid, Masahiko said the vehicle’s packaging “would make it difficult,” adding an EV version would be “easier” to create.
The comments come after Stritto told Autocar last week that a new entry-level EV could also be in the works. However, that will also depend on how well the Uncharted sells.
For those in the US, don’t worry – Subaru is not planning to discontinue the BRZ. If it did launch as an EV, would you consider one? It would go up against the new Hyundai IONIQ 6 N and Tesla Model 3 Performance.
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The new Nissan LEAF will arrive at dealerships this fall, and to go with it, the company has introduced a new one-stop shop for EV chargers and more.
Nissan launches new shop for EV chargers and more
Nissan says it’s “building more than electric vehicles” after launching its new “Nissan Energy Marketplace” on Thursday.
The new one-stop shop was developed in collaboration with Electrum, a leading home energy marketplace provider. Electrum has built similar platforms for other major automakers, including Tesla (in certain regions), Hyundai, and Honda.
Nissan joins in just as the new and (much) improved LEAF is about to hit US dealerships. Through the new marketplace, you can research and find EV chargers, solar panels, and battery storage options.
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With the help of Electrum’s Energy Advisors, you can compare prices from a nationwide network of contractors. You can also find local, state, and federal incentives to reduce your costs further.
The 2026 Nissan LEAF will reach US dealerships this fall. Dropping the iconic hatch design, the LEAF is now all grown up with a more crossover SUV-like profile.
Nissan launches new Nissan Energy Marketplace (Source: Nissan)
Powered by a 75 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, the new LEAF has up to 303 miles of driving range. That’s a significant difference from the maximum 212-mile range offered on the outgoing model, which was powered by a 62 kWh battery.
2026 Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan)
It can also recharge from 10% to 80% in as little as 35 minutes. Perhaps the best part is that the 2026 Nissan LEAF will include a built-in NACS port, enabling access to Tesla Superchargers.
Nissan has yet to reveal prices, but the new LEAF EV is expected to start in the $35,000 to $40,000 range. The new LEAF is one of ten new Nissan and Infiniti models slated to launch in North America by 2028, as the Japanese automaker seeks to revamp its brand. A new “adventure-focused” electric SUV is set to arrive around 2027, followed by a luxury Infiniti EV SUV.
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Two years after world leaders pledged to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, a new report shows that most countries still aren’t planning like they mean it.
Global energy think tank Ember released new data showing that national targets for renewable energy have barely budged since the COP28 climate summit in 2023. Collectively, countries are now aiming for just 7.4 terawatts (TW) of renewable energy by 2030 – that’s only a 2% increase in ambition since the agreement was signed. To hit the global tripling goal of tripling renewables by 2030, we need to reach 11 TW. Right now, we’re still on track for just a doubling.
“The purpose of a national renewables target is less so to force more renewables to be built, but rather to make sure they are built smarter,” said Dr. Katye Altieri, global electricity analyst at Ember. Setting clear goals helps governments plan where to build projects and how to best integrate them into the grid, and it helps companies invest in supply chains. What results is cheaper, more secure electricity.
Since COP28, only 22 countries have updated their renewables targets, and most of them are in the European Union. Outside the EU, just seven countries have made changes. That sluggish response highlights how most governments are still moving at their usual planning pace, despite the climate emergency.
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The world’s biggest electricity producers haven’t done much either. The US still doesn’t have a national 2030 renewables target — and with Trump’s rollback of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), there’s little to no chance of that happening during this administration. India’s target of 500 GW hasn’t moved, but it’s already aligned with the tripling goal. Russia has no 2030 target at all, and no plans to set one.
China is finalizing its 15th Five-Year Plan for Energy, which is expected to include a 2030 renewables target, though it’s unclear if that will be part of the plan, its nationally determined contribution (NDC), or both. South Africa is also updating its Integrated Resource Plan, which could bring a new 2030 goal.
This report lands just as countries are gearing up for COP30 in Brazil, and without urgent, ambitious target updates and a clear path to implementation, the world is set to miss the 2030 goal. That would also be a missed opportunity to boost investment, cut fossil fuel use, and build a more affordable and resilient energy system.
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