SUMMARY
The 2021 Polestar 1 is one of the most exclusive vehicles you can get from Polestar, especially with its limited stock every year. This PHEV impresses both in style and performance. This review on the 2021 Polestar 1 will shed some light on the many things that make this hybrid special, and what the company has brought on-board as it reaches the end of its production run.
LATEST
Not much changes with the 2021 model of the Polestar 1. However, the company is offering a special edition Polestar 1 to mark the end of its production life. It comes in a matte gold exterior paint job, as well as other features that come exclusive to it.
ESTIMATED PRICE
There is only one trim level offered for the Polestar 1 which comes with a whole variety of included features. The price of the 2021 Polestar 1 starts off at about $155,000. The exterior metallic color scheme comes standard with 5 different colors to choose from. Matte exterior color options require an additional cost of $5,000.
The lease price of the 2021 Polestar 1 is closer to about $16.67/month per $1,000 financed through a 60-month 0.99% APR Financing plan for qualified customers only.
MACHINE PERFORMANCE
The sole engine option of the Polestar 1 is a Plug-in Hybrid Dual motor system. A Petrol 2-Liter Inline 4-Cylinder engine lies under the hood of the Polestar 1, being both supercharged and turbocharged. The engine by itself produces around 326 horsepower. Additional power is sourced from 2 electric motors that produce 232 horsepower and are found at the rear axle. This gives the Polestar 1 a combined output of 619 horsepower and a maximum torque output of 738 pounds-feet combined. The engine comes in tandem with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with engine power distributed through a front-wheel drive system. It also makes use of a 34-kWh battery pack that comes arranged in 2 packs and is set underneath the floor of the car. Charging the batteries takes less than an hour with a DC current of 50kW.
Weighing in at about 5,200 pounds, this car can really hustle down roads. The Polestar 1’s speed maxes out at about 155 mph, sporting an acceleration time of 3.9 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. It comes with various driving modes as well: Pure electric drive, hybrid, AWD, and Power. The pure electric drive mode makes it so that the car is powered solely by the rear electric motors. The AWD links both the rear and front motors together for an all-wheel drive experience. The Hybrid mode is meant for your day-to-day driving needs, while the Power mode is for those times when you need the best performance. The Handling on the Polestar 1 is quick and responsive. It’s suspension system is mostly tuned for performance, but still manages to offer a comfortable ride. The dampers of the Öhlins suspension can be adjusted via 22 individual settings. The car also makes use of Akebono disc brakes that allow it some great braking power.
FUEL EFFICIENT & ACTUAL MPG
The Polestar 1 has scored an EPA rating of 58 MPGe/Combined in its Hybrid mode, and 26 MPG/Combined when solely running on premium gas.
INTERIOR, SOLACE & BAGGAGE
Sporting a pristine and classy look, the interior of the 2022 Polestar 1 exudes luxury in every part. Nappa leather upholstery is the material of choice for the passenger sport seats, with the front ones embedded with “Brogue” perforated strips and Feather Deco stitching. It also has carbon fiber décor panels on various surfaces of the car, giving it a sportier edge. Even the gearshift of the car’s transmission has been handcrafted, manufactured from solid crystal by Orrefors’ specialized glass artisans. Interior illumination helps as well in giving passengers a welcome feeling while inside the car. The Polestar 1 can carry up to four people. The company states that it is a “2+2” model, meaning that it prioritizes the driver and front passenger. The second row is more meant for children or shorter adults, especially with its much more cramped space. The cargo capacity of the Polestar 1 is quite small, only having 4.41 cubic feet in its Luggage compartment.
TECHNOLOGY
The Infotainment suite on the Polestar 1 is filled to the brim with features that anyone would want. The Polestar 1 comes with a 12.3-inch instrument panel display and a full graphical head up display. It also comes integrated with Android Auto connectivity, as well as access to Polestar Connect. The latter is an assistance service by the company for drivers to use in case of emergencies, or if the car is stolen. The connected smartphone app can even be used to track a car down should you need to. It also comes with a navigation system with 3D maps, with support for navigation data to be displayed onto the heads-up display. It can be controlled either by the touchscreen or through voice controls. Road sign information can also be seen on the heads-up display. The audio system on the Polestar 1 is a 16-speaker system that’s sourced from audio manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins. It comes with three room modes: Studio, Individual Stage, and Gothenburg Concert Hall.
SAFETY
Although the NHTSA has not yet given the Polestar 1 a rating for its safety, we do know some of the driver-assistance features and safety systems that are on-board. It comes with a blind spot information system, an adaptive cruise control, lane keeping aid systems, a front and rear collision mitigation support system, and a 360° monitoring system. It also makes use of Volvo’s Pilot Assist, which makes use of a set of cameras and sensors in order to aid the driver in the middle of traffic. This system allows the vehicle to regulate the speed and follow the vehicle that’s ahead of it in order to keep within the traffic lane.
WARRANTY
Polestar’s warranty offerings are quite standard when compared to that of its competitor. The Limited warranty plan and Powertrain Warranty are both covered for 4 years or for the first 50,000 miles driven, whichever comes first. There is also a warranty for the various Hybrid components which lasts for 8 years or the first 100,000 miles driven.