Polestar's 2 ends production - here's how it changed the EV game

Polestar has announced that it is bringing production of its popular ‘2’ model to a close. It’s a car that we’ve been very fond of here at My Electric Lease and, if you’d still like to get your hands on one, there’s still time, and we’ve got the very best deals on them right here.

But why was the 2 so important, and how could Polestar try and eclipse its success? Let’s take a look. 

It was Polestar’s opening mass-production EV

Polestar had previously only been a performance sub-brand of Volvo. Known by enthusiasts but few people beyond, Polestar established itself as a standalone brand in 2017. While it was the 2 that we’re discussing here that put Polestar into the mainstream, it wasn’t the car that launched the brand - that was the plug-in hybrid 1.

However, the 1 was never made in right-hand-drive and its long proportions and high price tag meant it was never going to make it into widespread production. No, that was the job of the 2.

It made a mark right away

The 2 launched in 2019 as a mix of a saloon and a fastback estate. It drew some design inspiration from the aforementioned 1, bringing classic Scandi stripped-back looks with an interior that felt like it brought a good blend between style and functionality. A large screen and largely button-free design were ahead of their time.

Unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the 2 put Polestar on the map and gave a rival to cars like the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4. It quickly garnered praise from critics who appreciated the car’s dynamics and good efficiency. 

The Polestar 2 also broke new ground as the first car to be equipped with Android Automotive. This brought many popular Google-based functions - such as Maps - as standard to the car’s infotainment and set a standard that would be followed by many cars to come. 

An update in 2024 kept things fresh

While Polestar kept the styling of the 2 largely the same throughout its lifetime - a knock-on of a similar ethos that Volvo adopts - there were some updates introduced across the car’s lifespan. In 2024, there was a big change to the way the 2 was driven, with these new models shifting from front- to rear-wheel-drive for the first time. It brought a big gain in efficiency and, when linked to a new 82kWh battery, gave the 2 some serious long-distance appeal.

In 2026, the 2 was given a faster Qualcomm infotainment processor chip, making things quicker and a lot more responsive. 

A BST Edition pushed the 2 to the limit

Polestar had always been rooted in performance, and that came to the fore in 2023 with the BST edition. It got a 25mm drop in ride height for enhanced cornering performance, while manually adjustable Öhlins dampers gave owners maximum control over the car’s ride. 

The BST also produced an impressive 470bhp from its dual electric motors while specially created Pirelli tyres helped to transfer all of that performance to the road. 

The future of the 2 - what is in store?

While Polestar has kept pretty tight-lipped about what will be replacing the 2, we know that it has a lot to live up to. However, the brand has given us a bit of a peek into the future with its Formula 2030 concept, which points towards what future cars - including a 2 replacement - could look like. 

It’s got Polestar’s recognisable ‘dual-blade’ headlights and a low-slung position, much like the original 2. We’re expecting to see further details soon and, as always, we’ll have the very latest details for you here at My Electric Lease.

Can’t wait, though? Good news - we’ve got a range of Polestar vehicles available for lease today, including the famous 2. Check them out today to see what’s in store.