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Polestar 2 vs Volvo EX40
Selected trimStandard range Single motorChange trim344 mi · 70 kWh · £45,210
Selected trimSingle Motor Extended RangeChange trim355 mi · 82 kWh · £39,610
At a glance
In this comparison, Polestar 2 leads on motorway range and running costs, while the Volvo EX40 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Polestar 2 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 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
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
6.2
Volvo
6.9
Motorway RangePolestar
Polestar
4.7
Volvo
4.1
FamilyVolvo
Polestar
6
Volvo
6.9
ChargingVolvo
Polestar
4.1
Volvo
6.6
Cost Per MilePolestar
Polestar
6
Volvo
3.3
City Driving
Polestar
4.9
Volvo
5
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,210 | £39,610 (better) |
| Official range | 344 miles | 355 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 407 L | 410 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 26 min (better) | 28 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.4 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
Size Comparison
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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 2Standard range Single motor | 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 2Standard range Single motor | 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) | 407 L | 410 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1097 L | 1400 L (better) |
| Frunk | 41 L (better) | 31 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,500 kg | 1,500 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor |  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) | 407L | 410L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1097L | 1400L (better) |
| Frunk | 41L (better) | 31L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | Not available | 917mm |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.5m | 11m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,995kg (better) | 2,075kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg | 1,500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 70kWh | 82kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 344 mi | 355 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 180kW | 200kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,210 | £39,610 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 344 miles | 355 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 231 miles | 242 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 26 min (better) | 28 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 180 kW | 200 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 149 Wh/km (better) | 167 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 70 kWh | 82 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.4 sec (better) | 7.3 sec |
| Power | 200 kW (better) | 185 kW |
| Torque | 490 Nm (better) | 420 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Polestar 2
Standard range Single motor
Volvo EX40
Single Motor Extended Range
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Polestar 2
All 3 videos
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 2Standard range Single motor | Volvo EX40Single Motor Extended Range |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £21,999 | £33,995 |
| Average used price | £24,883 | £38,260 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 15 listings (better) | 12 listings |
| Saving vs RRP | £20,327 below new | £1,350 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 1% over ~6 months | Down 5.8% 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 Standard range Single motor
Tested 2025
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 2Standard range Single motor | 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
- £27,7662024Car360View
- £21,9992024Browns of RichmondView
Volvo EX40
- £38,0582025Car360View
- £35,0372024Car360View
- £36,8872025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Polestar 2 worth the extra £5,600 over the Volvo EX40?
The Polestar 2 costs £5,600 more than the Volvo EX40. For that premium it adds a 0.9s quicker 0-62mph time and lower energy use, 149 versus 167 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Volvo EX40 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Polestar 2 or the Volvo EX40?
The Volvo EX40 is £5,600 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £160 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Volvo EX40 comes out roughly £5,480 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Polestar 2 and Volvo EX40 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 231 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 26-28 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 90% battery health for the Polestar 2 and 84% for the Volvo EX40. That gives the Polestar 2 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Polestar 2's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Volvo EX40's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .