Experienced the Power of One: My Journey in an Exclusive Polestar 1 From Hertz, Exploring Yosemite and Tahoe, Discovering Its Forceful Instant Torque and Acceleration Outperforming My 2016 Tesla Model S
The Swedish automotive brand, Polestar, has been making waves in the industry with its innovative electric vehicles. Recently, the car rental company Hertz in the USA has included the Polestar 1, a plug-in hybrid coupe, in their rental fleet, making it accessible for a wider audience.
A Redditor embarked on an epic road trip, renting a Polestar 1 and driving it through the breathtaking landscapes of Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. The Polestar 1, despite being produced in microscopic numbers, offers a unique driving experience, with its Bowers & Wilkins sound system praised as being insanely good for long trips.
Meanwhile, the Polestar 2, a dual-motor Performance version, has been turning heads with its impressive specifications. Equipped with an 82 kWh battery, it produces about 476 hp and 546 lb-ft, enabling 0-60 mph in roughly 4.2-4.5 seconds. The 2025 Polestar 2 model starts around $66,200, with U.S. sales up roughly 76% year-on-year.
The Polestar 4, another addition to the Polestar family, is set to make its debut. Starting around $56,400 for the single-motor and $62,900 for the dual-motor, the Polestar 4 offers a comfortable interior, sustainable materials, and features like adaptive dual-chamber air suspension and active dampers. However, the camera-only rear view has been a point of criticism.
In the realm of technology, the Polestar 3 offers single- and dual-motor powertrains, and EPA ranges around 310 mi (AWD) and 350 mi (RWD). However, navigation systems in some Polestar models may fail to show Tesla chargers in certain states, requiring the use of third-party route-planning apps.
Noah Washington, an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia, has been covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. His recent review of the Polestar 3 found the range prediction remarkably accurate. Yet, he noted that the cabin can warm significantly in 98 °F heat during charging stops, and charging rates are derated from 190 kW to about 120 kW.
The Polestar 4's infotainment system has also come under scrutiny, as it can't be reset while driving and lacks a responsive key fob. Furthermore, the Pilot Assist feature sometimes ping-pongs within lanes compared with Tesla's Autopilot, and reacts slowly to merging vehicles, which can deactivate easily.
Despite these challenges, the Polestar models continue to garner interest and praise for their unique features and innovative design. The Polestar 1, available for rent from Hertz at San Francisco International Airport, offers a glimpse into the future of electric vehicles, while the Polestar 2 and Polestar 4 promise to push the boundaries even further.
