Summary
The Polestar 1 is the first car from Volvo’s spin-off car brand, Polestar. It is a two-door coupé powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain, available in left-hand drive only. It was built in a limited production run to launch the all-new Polestar brand and is no longer available new.
The styling is based on a 2013 Volvo concept car called the Volvo Concept Coupe, which is why it bears a strong resemblance to the current Volvo saloon and estate model range. It is a halo car for the new Polestar brand, and is the only model from the company that is ever likely to have a petrol engine component – the subequent Polestar 2 and all future models will only be avilable as fully-electric vehicles.
The Polestar 1 has received very positive reviews from the UK media, although with several caveats and reservations, which are reflected in an overall used car Expert Rating score of 69% (as of December 2022) that is not as high as the praise for the car would suggest.
Reviewers have praised the external styling, driving dynamics, performance, overall comfort and the low running costs associated with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. However, they have been more critical of the interior design, which is lifted largely from the Volvo V60 and S60 models, as well as the relatively cramped rear seats and poor boot space.
Key specifications
Body style: 2+2 coupé (left-hand drive only)
Motor: petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Price when new: From £139,995 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2019
Last updated: N/A
Production ended: Summer 2021
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
“The Polestar 1 is an absolute masterclass, and a superb showcase at to what Polestar will hopefully offer from future all-electric models.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: 2020 update
Score: 8 / 10
“The Polestar 1 feels special to drive, special to look at and, even using recognisable Volvo parts, special to sit in, too. The powertrain is the defining feature though, offering market-leading low emissions and company car tax.”
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Score: 8 / 10
“While every other manufacturer is trying to shuffle people into bloated electric SUVs, Polestar’s elegant coupe is a breath of fresh air in the plug-in segment.”
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Auto Trader
Score: 6 / 10
“Strictly a collector’s item, the Polestar 1 is a mind-boggling, plug-in-hybrid, super grand tourer, and the first model from the electric performance brand that used to be part of Volvo. It’s seriously expensive and available in left-hand drive only.”
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Autocar
Score: 8 / 10
“As a showcase for what Polestar can achieve in the future, the handsome 1 hits the spot. Despite its fiendishly complex underpinnings, the quick and composed coupé also has genuine personality.”
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Car
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“Its excellent electric-only range means it’s both a convincing EV and a satisfying and highly desirable new petrol-electric performance GT.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 7.4 / 10
“Left-hand drive and a limited production run mean the Polestar 1 is destined to be a rare collectible coupe that combines 601bhp with a 78-mile pure-electric range.”
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Carwow
Score: 8 / 10
“The Polestar 1 looks superb, has a genuinely brilliant hybrid system and is great to drive. It’s pricey, though, especially when lots of its parts are found in much cheaper Volvos.”
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Daily Mail
“The Polestar 1 has plenty of dram about it. It might be a hybrid but it’s far from boring, designed to look like a sophisticated sporty GT.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“One of the most appealing electrified vehicles on offer from any manufacturer, but not without its flaws.”
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Honest John
“The Polestar 1 is an electric performance hybrid 2+2 coupe with 600hp and 1,000Nm of torque.”
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Parkers
Score: 7.2 / 10
“Stunning looks, plus all-electric powertrain from debut Polestar”
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The Intercooler
Score: 7 / 10
“When that four-pot motor chugs into life, the Polestar 1 just doesn’t feel like a car costing only a little less than an Aston DB11. Still, I appreciate the attempt to do something different: it deserves to be more than a footnote in the Polestar story.”
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The Telegraph
Score: 8 / 10
“In as much as we will move on from the oil age eventually and on to battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cells, the Polestar 1 is a transition car, which struggles to contain its power and its wide variety of power sources. But it also has an integrity and sheer muscularity that is hard to resist.”
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Top Gear
Score: 8 / 10
“Not the softest nor the sportiest GT car, but probably the most interesting.”
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What Car?
Score: 8 / 10
“Polestar should be applauded for making its first car such a convincing alternative to conventional GTs. It’s unlikely you’ll want for more performance, yet its hybrid system means that it’s surprisingly cheap to run.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Polestar 1 was not crash tested by Euro NCAP during its limited production run.
Being a part of the Volvo family and developed largely under the same roof as the current Volvo range, the Polestar 1 gets all of the safety technology developed by its Swedish parent. That means advanced active safety systems, like autonomous emergency braking, blind spot and lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive control with steering assistance.
Given that every Volvo model has a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP and most have also won various awards for their safety systems, it’s a fair bet to say that the Polestar 1 would perform better than most cars when things go wrong.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Polestar 1 was not lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which are generally very low for a plug-in hybrid) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, and given that the Polestar 1 can run for considerable distance on electric power, it would be very likely to score highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it ever takes place.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Polestar 1, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi e-tron GT | Aston Martin DB11 | Bentley Continental GT | BMW i8 | Lexus LC | McLaren GT | Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé | Porsche Taycan
The Polestar 1 doesn’t have any rivals that quite match its particular qualities. The Aston Martin DB11, Bentley Continental and Mercedes S-Class Coupé are petrol-engined GTs rather than plug-in hybrids. The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid like the Polestar, but it’s a mid-engined sports car rather than a GT (and it’s also just ended production). The Porsche Taycan is perhaps most similar in overall concept, although it’s fully electric rather than a hybrid and it’s also a four-seat saloon rather than a 2+2 coupé.
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Polestar 1 at The Car Expert
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