Polestar 2 2022: fifth EV awarded five star ANCAP rating

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The 2022 Polestar 2 range has scored a maximum five stars in ANCAP testing with particular commendation given to its side impact protection in which the electric sedan was awarded full marks. 

Polestar’s 2 electric sedan is the fifth battery-electric vehicle to be awarded five stars in ANCAP’s stricter 2020-22 testing and becomes the 43rd alternative-fuel vehicle (EV, FCEV, PHEV, hybrid) tested. 

It’s typical of sister Swedish brand Volvo to perform well in crash testing so it’s pleasing to see the CMA platform-based Polestar 2 follow this trajectory.

The Polestar 2’s five-star rating comes just days after it officially went on-sale in Australia, priced from $59,900 before on-road costs. Customer deliveries are expected to commence in March.

Polestar 2 rivals include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (2021) and Tesla Model 3 (2019), both also achieving five-star ANCAP ratings.

ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg said: “today’s consumers are looking to purchase vehicles with top safety and environmental credentials. The well-rounded Polestar 2 ticks these boxes and adds to the suite of 5 star rated EVs now available to Australasian consumers.” 

Crash worthiness was strong for the Polestar 2, achieving full points for rear child-occupant protection in dynamic testing. It was only the fact some child seats could not be accommodated that held it back from scoring full child protection marks.

Front side impact protection was also impressive, the occupant-occupant protection test passed with flying colours thanks to the fitted centre airbag. 

How good are Polestar 2’s active safety systems?

Along with strong crash worthiness, the Polestar 2 features AEB with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, which was praised by ANCAP.

Not all was perfect. The Polestar 2’s optional reverse AEB is not able to detect pedestrians so ANCAP could not test this feature. 

An active bonnet that pops up when an impact with a pedestrian is detected brought the Polestar’s Vulnerable Road User score to 80 percent.

The lane-keep assist and emergency lane departure warning – which ANCAP claims reduces head-on and single-vehicle crashes by 30 percent – was also deemed satisfactory.

Polestar 2 ANCAP test scores:

• Adult occupant protection: 92/100
• Child occupant protection: 87/100
• Vulnerable road user protection: 80/100
• Safety assistance systems: 82/100

Polestar 2 2022: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Standard Range Single Motor: $59,900
• Long Range Single Motor: $64,900
• Long Range Dual Motor: $59,900