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Polestar 2 (2020-2023) vs Volvo EX40
Selected trimLong range Dual motor 78 kWh · 2020-23Change trim303 mi · 78 kWh · Not available
Selected trimSingle Motor Extended RangeChange trim355 mi · 82 kWh · £39,610
At a glance
In this comparison, Polestar 2 leads on running costs, while the Volvo EX40 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Polestar 2 (2020-2023) if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Volvo EX40 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Volvo EX40 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVolvo
Polestar
0
Volvo
6.9
Motorway Range
Polestar
4.4
Volvo
4.1
Too close to call
FamilyVolvo
Polestar
5.8
Volvo
6.9
ChargingVolvo
Polestar
3.5
Volvo
6.6
Cost Per MilePolestar
Polestar
4.2
Volvo
3.3
City DrivingVolvo
Polestar
4.3
Volvo
5
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Volvo EX40
Single Motor Extended Range
- 52 miles more WLTP range
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 0.5 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not available | £39,610 |
| Official range | 303 miles | 355 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 405 L | 410 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min | 28 min |
| 0-62 mph | 4.7 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
Size Comparison
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Align by:
Polestar 2
Volvo EX40
Length
Polestar 24,606mm
Volvo EX404,440mm-166mm
Width
Polestar 21,859mm-14mm
Volvo EX401,873mm
Height
Polestar 21,479mm-172mm
Volvo EX401,651mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,606 mm | 4,440 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,859 mm (better) | 1,873 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,985 mm (better) | 2,034 mm |
| Height | 1,479 mm | 1,651 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.5 m | 11 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 541 mm spare (better) | 527 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | Not available | 917 mm |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 4 (better) |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 410 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1097 L | 1400 L (better) |
| Frunk | 35 L (better) | 31 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,500 kg | 1,500 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |  Volvo EX40 Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.61m | 4.44m-166mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.87m+14mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | 2.03m+49mm |
| Height | 1.48m | 1.65m+172mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.73m | 2.70m-33mm |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 410L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1097L | 1400L (better) |
| Frunk | 35L (better) | 31L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 917mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.5m | 11m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,075kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg | 1,500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 78kWh | 82kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 303 mi | 355 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 200kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £39,610 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2020–2023 | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 303 miles | 355 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 253 miles (better) | 242 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min | 28 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 167 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 75 kWh | 82 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 4.7 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
| Power | 300 kW (better) | 185 kW |
| Torque | 660 Nm (better) | 420 Nm |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Polestar 2
Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Volvo EX40
Single Motor Extended Range
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,500 | £33,995 |
| Average used price | £21,000 | £38,260 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 46 listings (better) | 12 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 1.8% over ~6 months | Up 4.3% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist83%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Volvo EX40 Single Motor Extended Range
Tested 2018
Adult Occupant97%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Polestar 2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Volvo EX40
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Polestar 2
- £22,1002020EV ExpertsView
Volvo EX40
- £38,0582025Car360View
- £36,8872025Car360View
- £35,0372024Car360View
Frequently asked questions
What are the Polestar 2 and Volvo EX40 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 253 miles for the Polestar 2 and 242 miles for the Volvo EX40 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-28 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Polestar 2 or the Volvo EX40?
The two are within 14 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 541 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 2 and about 527 mm of total clearance for the Volvo EX40. The Volvo EX40 also turns in a 0.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Polestar 2 or the Volvo EX40?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Polestar 2 and 84% for the Volvo EX40. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Polestar 2 comparisons
More Volvo EX40 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Polestar 2 and Volvo EX40 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Volvo EX40 rank among long-range EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Volvo EX40 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Volvo EX40 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Volvo EX40 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Polestar 2 and Volvo EX40 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Polestar 2 (2020-2023): Which Version, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used Polestar 2 buyer’s guide: Standard range vs Long range Single motor vs Dual motor, the Plus Pack heat pump, warranty left, recalls, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Volvo EX40 or EC40 (2024-on): Versions, the Braking Recall & What to Pay
A used Volvo EX40 and EC40 buyer’s guide: Single Motor, Extended Range and Twin Motor compared, real-world range, warranty left, the B-mode braking recall, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .