I want to start with a giant thanks to the team at LaFontaine Volvo for giving me some seat time in both a Polestar 1 and a Polestar 2! With the second press day of MotorBella 2021 being canceled due to rain, and the M1 Concourse grounds being closed on Wednesday so that they could get things ready for the public show on Thursday, I found myself in the Detroit area with an open schedule. On literally zero notice, LaFontaine Volvo made these two very cool, very Scandinavian cars available for me to take for a quick blast around the block.

Polestar 1 Impressions:

The Polestar 1 is stunning in person, especially from the rear 3/4 view. I love the way the body line starts at the front of the car and ends in a crisp rear fender line as it gracefully arches over the rear wheel opening. There are plenty of exposed carbon fiber bits on the outside that add a subtle raciness to the overall aesthetic. But my favorite part of the Polestar 1 is by far the interior. The shifter knob is made from real crystal, and feels hefty and reassuring in your hand. The stitched leather is beautiful, and everywhere, even on the visors. If the yellow seatbelts are optional, they are a must have as far as I’m concerned. The backseat is small, but larger than in a Porsche 911, or a Jaguar XKR, and these are apt comparisons, as the Polestar 1 is a high-performance GT car, just like the 911 and Jag. If your priority is backseat space, look to the Polestar 2.

So how did it drive? It was excellent, the seating position was great, with really good visibility. The steering felt direct, and it pulled like a freight train! We were driving it in hybrid mode, and I really enjoyed the sharp but muted growl of the engine. I was thrilled by my time in the driver’s seat! Everything about the Polestar 1 feels special.

Polestar 2 Impressions:

The Polestar 2 was so much fun to drive! It felt very quick, and even in torrential downpour was quiet and sure-footed. The interior is just lovely. Every surface you touch feels high-quality. This car would make a fantastic daily driver, fun to take on a backroad, but completely capable in all weather conditions. The glass roof really makes this car feel light and airy. If you are in the market for a premium electric car, you owe it to yourself to take a spin in a Polestar 2.

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed both vehicles, which given the conditions is very telling. The P1 is expensive, it starts at $155,000 USD, but that’s pretty comparable to a similarly powerful Porsche. It is also much more rare than said Porsche, and has an understated panache that I find irresistible. The P2 is excellent in every way, and a car that I would recommend to anyone looking for for an EV in the $50-70k range. I can’t wait to see Polestar Detroit’s new Space once they get moved in. In the meantime, thanks again LaFontaine Volvo for letting me have a go in these two wonderful cars!