Polestar 1: The Plug-In Hybrid GT
By CarWhere Research · Updated
The Polestar 1 is a plug-in hybrid grand tourer built in Chengdu, China, and sold in the US for the 2020–2021 model years. It pairs a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with electric motors for 609 hp, and EPA rates its all-electric range at 52 miles. Polestar says 1,500 were produced worldwide.
- Status
- Discontinued
- Body style
- Two-door 2+2 grand tourer coupe (plug-in hybrid)
- Longest EPA range
- 52 mi (2021)[4]
Polestar 1 trims
| Trim | Model years | MSRP | Drive / motors | Horsepower | 0–60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polestar 1[1][2]Polestar quotes 609 hp (441 kW) and 738 lb-ft (1,000 Nm) combined, and 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 4.2 seconds. Its US spec table also shows 619 hp; we use the 609 hp stated in its text and annual report. 8-speed automatic. | 2020–2021 | — | All-wheel drive · Supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder plus two rear-axle electric motors and a crank-mounted integrated starter generator | 609 | — |
Polestar 1 was offered in one specification. No official page we could open lists its original US price, so MSRP is blank. Polestar quotes 0–62 mph rather than 0–60.
Polestar 1 EPA range by year and version
| Year | Version (EPA listing) | Range | MPGe comb. | City / Hwy | kWh/100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Polestar 1[4] | 52 mi | 58 | 55 / 61 | 57 |
| 2020 | Polestar 1[3] | 52 mi | 58 | 55 / 61 | 57 |
Polestar 1 is a plug-in hybrid. rangeMi is EPA's all-electric range (52 mi), and the MPGe and kWh figures are EPA's electricity ratings. On gasoline alone EPA rates it at 26 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway), with a total range of 470 miles. Polestar's own "approximately 77 miles" pure-electric figure is not an EPA number.
Polestar 1 battery and charging
Polestar 1 generations and updates
| Generation / update | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Polestar 1 | 2020–2021 model years (production 2019–2021) | Revealed in October 2017 and built in Chengdu, China, from 2019. The plant had a limited capacity of up to 500 cars a year, and Polestar says it could build at most two a day. Production ended at the end of 2021, with 25 matte-gold final cars.[2][5][6] |
What the Polestar 1 is
Polestar 1 was the brand's first car, a carbon-fiber-bodied 2+2 grand tourer meant to establish Polestar as a performance brand. Polestar revealed it in October 2017 and built it in Chengdu, China, from 2019 until production ended at the end of 2021. Polestar says 1,500 were produced worldwide, and it was sold in Europe, North America and China.
fueleconomy.gov lists it for the 2020 and 2021 model years in the US. Polestar calls it an "electric performance hybrid." It was the brand's only plug-in hybrid, and Polestar has built only battery-electric cars since.[2][5][6][3]
Powertrain and electric range
A supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder drives the front wheels. Two electric motors drive the rear wheels, one for each, and a third sits between the crankshaft and gearbox. Polestar quotes 609 hp and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) combined, with 0–62 mph in 4.2 seconds and a 155-mph top speed.
The 34-kWh battery gives an EPA all-electric range of 52 miles, which Polestar's 2021 annual report called the longest electric range of any plug-in hybrid at the time. Once the battery is depleted, EPA rates it at 26 mpg combined on premium gasoline.[2][1][3]
Chassis and torque vectoring
The twin rear motors allow true torque vectoring: the outside rear wheel is sped up in corners rather than the inside wheel being braked. Standard hardware includes manually adjustable Öhlins Dual Flow Valve dampers, 6-piston Akebono front calipers, 21-inch wheels and a 1,400-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system.[2][1]
Buying a used Polestar 1
The key check is the high-voltage battery recall. Defective cells in 66 2020–2021 cars could overheat when fully charged, and under campaign 23V361 dealers replaced the battery pack as needed and restored electric range. Also confirm the brake pedal fastener fix (2020 cars) and the seat belt retractor fix (2021 cars).[7][8][9]
Polestar 1 recalls and known issues
Unit counts are the vehicles NHTSA lists for each campaign. Source: NHTSA recall records via the data.transportation.gov recalls dataset. Enter a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to check a specific car.
| Campaign | Scope | Issue | Remedy | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V3610002023-05-22 | 2020–2021 Polestar 1 | High-Voltage Battery May Overheat. Defective high-voltage battery cells may overheat when fully charged; this campaign supersedes 22V926.[7] | Dealer replaces the high-voltage battery pack as necessary and restores electric range, free of charge | 66 |
| 22V9260002022-12-14 | 2020–2021 Polestar 1 | High-Voltage Battery May Overheat. Defective high-voltage battery cells may cause the battery to overheat when fully charged.[10] | Interim software update, then cell replacement under 23V361, free of charge | 66 |
| 24V8350002024-11-05 | 2020 Polestar 1 | Brake Pedal May Detach from Brake Booster. The fastener between the brake pedal and brake booster may be improperly assembled, so the pedal could detach.[8] | Dealer tightens the pushrod screw joint, free of charge | 6 |
| 21V6830002021-09-01 | 2021 Polestar 1 | Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208. Seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, so a child seat may not be held securely.[9] | Dealer inspects and replaces seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge | 2 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Polestar 1 electric?
It is a plug-in hybrid. It has a 34-kWh battery and an EPA all-electric range of 52 miles, backed by a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine.
How many Polestar 1s were made?
Polestar says 1,500 were produced worldwide. Production ran from 2019 until the end of 2021 in Chengdu, China.
How much horsepower does the Polestar 1 have?
Polestar quotes 609 hp and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) combined from the engine and electric motors, with 0–62 mph in 4.2 seconds.
What model years was the Polestar 1 sold in the US?
fueleconomy.gov lists the Polestar 1 for the 2020 and 2021 model years.
Does the Polestar 1 have any recalls?
Yes. The most important covers defective high-voltage battery cells on 2020–2021 cars, fixed by replacing the battery pack as needed. There are also brake pedal and seat belt retractor recalls.
Sources
Figures come from the sources below, each opened when this page was built. EPA range and efficiency are from fueleconomy.gov; recalls are from the NHTSA recall dataset published on data.transportation.gov. A dash means no source we could open gave that figure.
- Polestar 1 performance (US) — Polestar (polestar.com/us)
- Polestar Form 20-F for fiscal 2021 — Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC via SEC EDGAR
- 2020 Polestar Polestar 1 fuel economy and range (all variants) — U.S. DOE / EPA fueleconomy.gov
- 2021 Polestar Polestar 1 fuel economy and range (all variants) — U.S. DOE / EPA fueleconomy.gov
- Polestar Form 20-F for fiscal 2025 — Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC via SEC EDGAR
- Polestar 1 (US) — Polestar (polestar.com/us)
- NHTSA recall 23V361000: High-Voltage Battery May Overheat — NHTSA (data.transportation.gov recalls dataset)
- NHTSA recall 24V835000: Brake Pedal May Detach from Brake Booster — NHTSA (data.transportation.gov recalls dataset)
- NHTSA recall 21V683000: Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208 — NHTSA (data.transportation.gov recalls dataset)
- NHTSA recall 22V926000: High-Voltage Battery May Overheat — NHTSA (data.transportation.gov recalls dataset)
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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC. Polestar and the model names are trademarks of their owners.