Polestar 1: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Polestar 1 is a low-volume, four-seat premium performance coupe with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive. It is known for strong electric driving capability, carbon-fiber-intensive construction, and design-led exclusivity.
Polestar’s first production car was built as a rare performance hybrid rather than a conventional luxury coupe. Its defining idea was to combine useful electric commuting with all-wheel-drive grand-touring performance and a carefully finished cabin. Sold in the U.S. only for 2020 and 2021, it remained essentially unchanged throughout its short run.
Strengths
- Its plug-in hybrid system was rated for 52 miles of electric range in 2021, making many everyday trips possible without using gasoline.
- All-wheel drive and 737 lb-ft of torque in 2021 give the Polestar 1 the performance focus expected of a serious grand-touring coupe.
- Carbon-fiber-intensive construction helps make it feel more exotic and distinctive than a conventional luxury coupe.
- Its carefully finished four-seat cabin supports the car’s premium, design-led character.
- Very limited production gives it an uncommon presence that more widely sold grand-touring coupes do not have.
Who it's for
It best fits someone who wants a rare, distinctive grand-touring coupe but still values the ability to handle many everyday trips on electricity. It also suits a buyer who appreciates low-volume design and performance more than the wider selection found in a conventional luxury-car lineup.
Polestar 1 lineup
The lineup is unusually simple because nearly every Polestar 1 is the Base model, sold in one fully equipped specification rather than through a broad trim ladder. Pick the Base model for the car’s core mix of plug-in hybrid driving, all-wheel-drive performance, and low-volume appeal. The only notable variation was a 25-car Special Edition announced for the final 2021 model year, which mainly stands apart through even greater rarity.
Polestar 1 generations
From 2020 to 2021, the 1 spans 1 generation. The current 1st Generation arrived for 2020.
1st Generation (2020–2021)
The Polestar 1 was a limited-production, carbon-bodied grand touring coupe with plug-in hybrid AWD. Its powertrain paired a gasoline engine with three electric motors, and the model remained in a single generation for its short two-year U.S. run.
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2021
A 25-car Special Edition marked the final production year. The regular model carried over without major mechanical, safety, or technology changes.
2020New generation
The Polestar 1 launched in the U.S. as the brand’s first production car, sold in one fully equipped version.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Polestar 1.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Polestar 1 a hybrid?
Yes. Every Polestar 1 is a plug-in hybrid that combines a gasoline engine with three electric motors. It also has a battery-powered driving mode, with the latest lineup rated for 52 miles of electric range.
Is the Polestar 1 a coupe, and how many people does it seat?
The Polestar 1 is a two-door coupe with four seats. It is shaped and positioned as a grand touring car rather than a sedan or practical family vehicle.
What is the Polestar 1 known for?
The Polestar 1 is known for its rare production, carbon-fiber-intensive body, substantial electric driving range for a plug-in hybrid, and carefully finished cabin. It combines those traits with all-wheel-drive performance.
Who is the Polestar 1 a good fit for?
It suits someone who wants a rare, design-led grand touring coupe that can handle many shorter trips on electric power. Its four-seat, two-door layout is less focused on everyday family practicality.
How many generations of the Polestar 1 were made?
There was one generation. The Polestar 1 arrived for the 2020 U.S. model year, and production ended with the 2021 model year, so every example belongs to the same short-lived generation.
Does the Polestar 1 have all-wheel drive?
Yes. Every Polestar 1 uses all-wheel drive. Two electric motors power the rear wheels independently, while the plug-in hybrid system combines gasoline and electric power for overall traction and performance.
How powerful is the Polestar 1?
The Polestar 1's plug-in hybrid system produces 609 horsepower. The latest lineup is also rated at 737 lb-ft of torque, so this is a performance-focused hybrid rather than an economy-first coupe.