Polestar 2 vs Jaguar I-Pace
Discussion
I am planning to purchase my very first BEV, and have read a lot of BEV tests and driven a few cars. The intended use of the car would be for my daily 100 miles commute to work, and as a family car (wife and one child). We also have a dog, but could keep my current car, a SAAB 9-5 Aero estate, as a dog mobile. I have narrowed down my search to a new Polestar 2 dual motor or a second hand Jaguar I-Pace (MY21-22). In Norway the I-Pace is quite a bit more expensive than the Polestar 2. These cars have similar powertrains in terms of bhp and nm, similar range and both drive well. The I-Pace is a larger car with more interior space and a larger booth. The I-Pace is made from 94% aluminium, thus rust will not be a problem. The rust protection in the Polestar 2 and its cousin, the Volvo XC40 recharge, is rather mediocre (tests in the Swedish "Vi Bilägare" magazine). In the 1990s Volvo had probably the best rust protection of any car, because it was made in Sweden for Nordic conditions - not anymore. Here in Norway the roads are more or less a "salt bath" during winter, and rust protection is essential.
Polestar is a future looking company with a 100% electric profile, with new models under way. Jaguar, on the other hand, seem a bit vague about the way forward. I have read about Jaguar aiming at full electrification by 2025, and planning to make cars in the very upper price segment. In a way the I-Pace seems like a "one-of-kind" car with no continuation within Jaguar. I am not sure if any of this is worth considering when deciding which car to purchase? Anyway, as of now I am most interested in the I-Pace, it seems like a superb car.
Do any of you have views on my Polestar 2 vs I-Pace query?
Polestar is a future looking company with a 100% electric profile, with new models under way. Jaguar, on the other hand, seem a bit vague about the way forward. I have read about Jaguar aiming at full electrification by 2025, and planning to make cars in the very upper price segment. In a way the I-Pace seems like a "one-of-kind" car with no continuation within Jaguar. I am not sure if any of this is worth considering when deciding which car to purchase? Anyway, as of now I am most interested in the I-Pace, it seems like a superb car.
Do any of you have views on my Polestar 2 vs I-Pace query?
I own a Polestar 2 dual motor with Plus Pack running on 19" wheels, feel free to ask me anything.
I think the I-Pace is a great car, it's clearly a bit more roomy.
I've sat in one several times, but when I did I thought the rear passenger accommodations were slightly more cramped than you might expect.
In my personal opinion the I-Pace is *very* sensitive to wheel design. Anything under 20" and it looks strange. Most "S" spec cars came with 18" wheels that look like they came off a 1990s Mondeo.
For me, one of the big draws of the Polestar was the Android Automotive OS and OTA updates. I believe the newer I-Pace infotainment has fixed a lot of issues, but the original car was roundly criticised for laggy, outdated infotainment.
Ultimately, it's going to be down to personal choice. You might find that a high spec I-Pace gives you things that the Polestar never would (air suspension for example). I had a similar choice to you and dismissed the I-Pace as too showy, and I didn't like the interior design.
I think the I-Pace is a great car, it's clearly a bit more roomy.
I've sat in one several times, but when I did I thought the rear passenger accommodations were slightly more cramped than you might expect.
In my personal opinion the I-Pace is *very* sensitive to wheel design. Anything under 20" and it looks strange. Most "S" spec cars came with 18" wheels that look like they came off a 1990s Mondeo.
For me, one of the big draws of the Polestar was the Android Automotive OS and OTA updates. I believe the newer I-Pace infotainment has fixed a lot of issues, but the original car was roundly criticised for laggy, outdated infotainment.
Ultimately, it's going to be down to personal choice. You might find that a high spec I-Pace gives you things that the Polestar never would (air suspension for example). I had a similar choice to you and dismissed the I-Pace as too showy, and I didn't like the interior design.
As you say, size is likely to be the biggest differentiator. I have the Polestar 2, and although it’s fine for me, it’s not the biggest car internally. My wife and I went to the Lake District in it last week and it was faultless, apart from the fact we couldn’t get a cool box in the boot without removing the parcel shelf, which I hate doing.
If its a brand new ipace, just check the spec matches reviews, eg last year they removed the HUD from the top end HSE model due to chip shortage, would impact risiduals.
I loved the look of the ipace and the interior is really nice, but if you do a lot of mileage way from home the charging speed isn't the best, I think it something like 100KW. And if you get a dud one, you're stuck with JLR customer service
Cant comment on the polestar as haven't set foot near one.
I loved the look of the ipace and the interior is really nice, but if you do a lot of mileage way from home the charging speed isn't the best, I think it something like 100KW. And if you get a dud one, you're stuck with JLR customer service
Cant comment on the polestar as haven't set foot near one.
TheRainMaker said:
The infotainment system was the most significant difference for me between the Ipace and Polestar.
The Polestar is a fantastic set-up.
Agreed, our 3yr ipace just gone back and good riddance! The Polestar is a fantastic set-up.
Woeful infotainment, must turn off ‘features’ each time you drive, hidden deep in menus, constant radio / phone music clashing and car not recognising phone for ages.
Never broke down but a horrible car to live with, ride on air suspension not brilliant for air, though running it in snow mode constantly improved things, also improved responses ie softened them.
Got a 10 year old tesla p85+ now and its interface is so user friendly, a breath of fresh air and it drives and rides so much better than the ipace, even at 10 years old! Its a 3mth stop gap till we get to our new country but we’ll be ordering a new tesla as soon as we get there.
Infotainment in later iPaces is much better thanks to newer Pivi Pro set up.
I too whittled EV list down to these two - not least because they appear much better put together than Tesla S or M3. Plus nicer interiors and looks.
I went iPace but it was a close thing and would have been very happy with a Polestar.
Nice dilemma to have.
I too whittled EV list down to these two - not least because they appear much better put together than Tesla S or M3. Plus nicer interiors and looks.
I went iPace but it was a close thing and would have been very happy with a Polestar.
Nice dilemma to have.
Thank you all for sharing your views and experiences with these cars. Much appreciated!
I will keep in mind the things you mention, such as Android Automobile OS, interior space, etc. If the Polestar 2 and I-Pace had been priced similarly I believe I would have purchased the I-Pace, but here in Norway an I-Pace HSE "Mayfair Edition" with air suspension and a some other important extras costs more than £ 20.000,- more than a fully equipped Polestar 2 with Pilot lite, Plus and Performance packs, towbar and winter tires. Purchasing a brand new I-Pace here does not seem like a sensible investment (for me).
I will keep in mind the things you mention, such as Android Automobile OS, interior space, etc. If the Polestar 2 and I-Pace had been priced similarly I believe I would have purchased the I-Pace, but here in Norway an I-Pace HSE "Mayfair Edition" with air suspension and a some other important extras costs more than £ 20.000,- more than a fully equipped Polestar 2 with Pilot lite, Plus and Performance packs, towbar and winter tires. Purchasing a brand new I-Pace here does not seem like a sensible investment (for me).
Edited by SAAB95Aero on Monday 25th July 07:39
TheRainMaker said:
You should have said you were from Norway 
Only one choice for you really.
He he… there is my family carOnly one choice for you really.
Wonderful action photos of the P2. I believe the driver is Joakim Rydholm, chassis engineer at Polestar. He is featured in this video from Nürburgring:
https://youtu.be/tOgS46o2Pv8
Aventador 700 said:
ride on air suspension not brilliant for air, though running it in snow mode constantly improved things, also improved responses ie softened them.
Possibly misunderstanding what you've put, but the only thing Rain Ice Snow changes is the stability control calibration and the throttle map. Damper calibration is the same in all modes apart from Dynamic Mode which adds damping.Aventador 700 said:
Got a 10 year old tesla p85+ now and its interface is so user friendly, a breath of fresh air and it drives and rides so much better than the ipace, even at 10 years old! Its a 3mth stop gap till we get to our new country but we’ll be ordering a new tesla as soon as we get there.
Surprised you'd say that. The early Teslas were even worse objectively than the current ones. They have really, really high compression damping which means the primary ride is super tough. They're a lot more sporty though so perhaps you prefer a more damped feel to a car?Aventador 700 said:
TheRainMaker said:
The infotainment system was the most significant difference for me between the Ipace and Polestar.
The Polestar is a fantastic set-up.
Agreed, our 3yr ipace just gone back and good riddance! The Polestar is a fantastic set-up.
Woeful infotainment, must turn off ‘features’ each time you drive, hidden deep in menus, constant radio / phone music clashing and car not recognising phone for ages.
Never broke down but a horrible car to live with, ride on air suspension not brilliant for air, though running it in snow mode constantly improved things, also improved responses ie softened them.
Got a 10 year old tesla p85+ now and its interface is so user friendly, a breath of fresh air and it drives and rides so much better than the ipace, even at 10 years old! Its a 3mth stop gap till we get to our new country but we’ll be ordering a new tesla as soon as we get there.
The new model 3's are awesome.
Model 3, RWD
Model 3 Long Range
Model 3 Performance
Polestar 2 is cramped, yet looks fat from the outside, which is stupid for an EV. They should have more space inside for the same exterior bulk as an equivalent ICE.
Jaguar interior is a mess, dreadful infotainment etc, and again terrible space/packaging for the size of it.
ioniq 5 is just a tiny bit plastic inside compared to the above, but a far, far better design in every other way. The Ultimate spec with better materials is ok.
Kia EV6 improves on the cabin of the ioniq 5 a bit (or maybe I wasn't comparing like for like models in each range), but loses some of the charm of the 5's quirky design.
Tesla has started opening up its charging network to non-Teslas, removing the only reason to buy a Tesla.
ioniq 5 N coming in 2023... that's where my money is going.
Jaguar interior is a mess, dreadful infotainment etc, and again terrible space/packaging for the size of it.
ioniq 5 is just a tiny bit plastic inside compared to the above, but a far, far better design in every other way. The Ultimate spec with better materials is ok.
Kia EV6 improves on the cabin of the ioniq 5 a bit (or maybe I wasn't comparing like for like models in each range), but loses some of the charm of the 5's quirky design.
Tesla has started opening up its charging network to non-Teslas, removing the only reason to buy a Tesla.
ioniq 5 N coming in 2023... that's where my money is going.
jason61c said:
every new jaguar is always about 5 years behind where it needs to be(it seems).
I think the ipace is a class below the kia ev6 and polestar.
The I Pace was basically first to market from a major existing manufacturer. I pre dated all the cars you mention and even beat the Audi Q5 eTron and Mercedes EQ to market. So it was actually about 5 years ahead of everyone else. Sadly they’ve not continued that momentum into anything new.I think the ipace is a class below the kia ev6 and polestar.
rewild said:
Polestar 2 is cramped, yet looks fat from the outside, which is stupid for an EV. They should have more space inside for the same exterior bulk as an equivalent ICE.
Jaguar interior is a mess, dreadful infotainment etc, and again terrible space/packaging for the size of it.
ioniq 5 is just a tiny bit plastic inside compared to the above, but a far, far better design in every other way. The Ultimate spec with better materials is ok.
Kia EV6 improves on the cabin of the ioniq 5 a bit (or maybe I wasn't comparing like for like models in each range), but loses some of the charm of the 5's quirky design.
Tesla has started opening up its charging network to non-Teslas, removing the only reason to buy a Tesla.
ioniq 5 N coming in 2023... that's where my money is going.
The Polestar 2 does not look fat from the outside, even less so when you put it alongside other BEVs such as the EV6. But I agree it's not big inside (it's shorter, and it has also a much shorter wheelbase, probably because it's not based on a full BEV platform).Jaguar interior is a mess, dreadful infotainment etc, and again terrible space/packaging for the size of it.
ioniq 5 is just a tiny bit plastic inside compared to the above, but a far, far better design in every other way. The Ultimate spec with better materials is ok.
Kia EV6 improves on the cabin of the ioniq 5 a bit (or maybe I wasn't comparing like for like models in each range), but loses some of the charm of the 5's quirky design.
Tesla has started opening up its charging network to non-Teslas, removing the only reason to buy a Tesla.
ioniq 5 N coming in 2023... that's where my money is going.
For family duties only, I would go for the EV6 (or wait for the Ioniq 6). To drive, I quite liked the Polestar (lots of horsepower, and a nice rear drive bias). But I'm not sure you can play a lot in Norway, I seem to remember the fines are quite something there
Don't really see the point of the I-Pace in today's market tbh...
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