The Polestar 2 Just Got Better With New Software Update

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Over-the-air updates are a significant benefit to today’s big-screen connected vehicles. Though the “screen for everything” trend can lead to extra driver distraction in some cases, the constant connectivity lets automakers add new features and refine existing functionality without requiring a trip to the dealer. Polestar recently announced such an update for the Polestar 2, which brings YouTube and improvements to the Apple CarPlay function.


After the update, Polestar 2 owners can watch YouTube videos on the center screen when the vehicle is parked. Though it sounds silly, owners can use the app to pass the time while charging, though the Polestar 2 is far from the slowest-charging EV around.


The update also brought more functionality to the vehicle’s Range Assist function. The system now offers more detailed mileage and energy consumption data and provides a rolling analysis of efficiency over set mileage ranges. It can also analyze exterior data, such as temperature and driving behavior.


Apple CarPlay got a makeover with the update and can now display more phone and media information on the driver display screen. Steering wheel buttons now control phone calls and other functions, which also appear in the driver information display. 


If you’re a Polestar 2 owner hoping to get your hands on the update, it became available this morning. Check your vehicle’s infotainment system for notifications.


[Image: Polestar]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Jun 01, 2023

    That green color works on a Jeep or a Telluride, but not on a Polestar 2.

    • Z9 Z9 on Jun 01, 2023

      That color is called Nebula, and only available on the BST 230 edition, which is Polestar's version of a "drop" in an attempt to create artificial scarcity. Speaking of which, the thing which is really scarce about the Polestar 2 is replacement parts. No idea when (or if) I'll see my car again...


  • Random1 Random1 on Jun 01, 2023

    Pretty excited about this update, I didn't see it available in mine this morning, but any day now... I think only Apple maps will be on the center display, and not Waze yet, but I assume that'll come soon enough. As to the unnecessary Tesla comment above : I'll take the build quality, the looks, and generally normal items that all cars should have over the M3 any day of the week.

    • Analoggrotto Analoggrotto on Jun 01, 2023

      That's too bad because Tesla is the ultimate symbol of intelligence.


  • Art Vandelay Art Vandelay on Jun 01, 2023

    Interesting, the Polestar 2 I had as a rental utilized Android Automotive which is what GM said it is going to exclusively, yet it still offers Apple CarPlay according to this. Wonder if GM will do the same.

    • Random1 Random1 on Jun 01, 2023

      It’s always had CarPlay, but when using CarPlay it used to just blank out the center of the driver display, whereas google maps via AA showed there. So it’s an improved implementation.


  • Gabe Gabe on Jun 06, 2023

    Awesome. Owners can cook their DNA with EMFs while watching YouTube now.

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