i pace HSE or Polestar 2
Discussion
With £17,000 to spend on a second hand EV I have narrowed it down to a 2020-22 i pace HSE or a 2020-21 Polestar 2 Dual Motor with the Plus and Pilot packs.
I have researched both cars extensively and am fully aware of the faults and quirks of both of them and both sit equally on the swings and roundabouts meter.
For £17k I can get a relatively low mileage i pace with plenty of battery warranty left. On the other hand, a similarly priced Polestar 2 is going to be very leggy and have little to no battery warranty left.
I would imagine that a four to six year old i pace would have had any of the well publicised faults and failures dealt with by now. I would also imagine that a leggy Polestar 2 will be ex company and probably spent its life being charged to 100% on fast chargers which could potentially be detrimental to the battery longevity.
So, hypothetically, I think that the i pace could be a better choice. But I slightly prefer the look and the interior of the Polestar.
Priorities for me are:
Comfortable interior that is not too minimalist and feels high quality
High quality sound system
Good performance (sub 5 second 0-60)
Good ride quality
Decent load space
High level of equipment
Both cars deliver on all of the above
It will be a cash purchase (no finance or pcp). I am retired so salary sacrifice is not an option either. I will only do about 3000 miles a year and have other petrol and diesel cars in the fleet to use if necessary.
So give me a reason please as to which should I choose?
I have researched both cars extensively and am fully aware of the faults and quirks of both of them and both sit equally on the swings and roundabouts meter.
For £17k I can get a relatively low mileage i pace with plenty of battery warranty left. On the other hand, a similarly priced Polestar 2 is going to be very leggy and have little to no battery warranty left.
I would imagine that a four to six year old i pace would have had any of the well publicised faults and failures dealt with by now. I would also imagine that a leggy Polestar 2 will be ex company and probably spent its life being charged to 100% on fast chargers which could potentially be detrimental to the battery longevity.
So, hypothetically, I think that the i pace could be a better choice. But I slightly prefer the look and the interior of the Polestar.
Priorities for me are:
Comfortable interior that is not too minimalist and feels high quality
High quality sound system
Good performance (sub 5 second 0-60)
Good ride quality
Decent load space
High level of equipment
Both cars deliver on all of the above
It will be a cash purchase (no finance or pcp). I am retired so salary sacrifice is not an option either. I will only do about 3000 miles a year and have other petrol and diesel cars in the fleet to use if necessary.
So give me a reason please as to which should I choose?
I bought a 71 plate Polestar 2 LRDM 18 months ago having considered the I-Pace; I haven't experienced the latter, but know someone with an early one. I agree they seem very comparable on price and performance.
The Jag is wider and longer, and I think has a fair bit more space inside. The Polestar is a little small in the rear seats.
My friend says the Jag rides and handles better. The PS2 has good body control at speed on a B-road, but I wouldn't honestly call its ride quality 'good'; it's a bit bumpy, although the great seats mitigate this and I stopped noticing it after a few weeks.
I think the lane-following cruise was removed from the I-Pace in '21, whereas the Polestar has it in the Pilot pack (which I use a lot). Generally it's harder to identify the spec of a given used I-Pace, whereas it's easy to establish that a PS2 has the Plus and Pilot packs.
You are unlikely to have a battery problem with the Polestar. You quite likely to have one on the I-Pace (my friend's has been limited to 90% charge capacity by Jaguar, with no clear timeline to be restored). Even a leggy Polestar is very likely to be fine, even if it's lost 10-15% capacity it'll still work reliably. Possibly a 2022 I-Pace might be a better bet, but earlier ones seem likely to have issues.
On the Polestar 2, for instance here's one on 65k miles with 92% battery health certified
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607224...
at 3k miles a year you will hit the battery warranty age limit (8 years) not the mileage one, so should be equivalent for both cars bought at the same age.
Jag for ride, handling, interior space
Polestar for reliablity, compactness, tech
If you prefer the Polestar subjectively, I wouldn't buy a Jaguar thinking it's more likely to be reliable, as the weight of evidence strongly suggests the opposite.
Thank you for those comments. That Polestar seems to tick many of the boxes so I've added it to my short list.
For the mileage I do I think a ceiling of up to 85k miles would ensure that the battery warrenty expires on time rather than mileage.
I did watch a very interesting YouTube video last night looking at potential issues and costs in running an EV up to and beyond ten years old. It seems that statistically the battery is the least likely item to wear out/need replacing compared to suspension and brake parts. In the UK the average EV is expected to last for 18.4 years until it becomes uneconomical to repair, whereas the average petrol vehicle will last for 18.7 years and diesels for 16.8 years.
Consequently, provided the battery has been looked after and charged properly it's unlikely to be an issue on a high mileage car, in fact probably less of an issue than the entire drivetrain on an ICE vehicle.
For anyone that is interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CR08fZKrKY
For the mileage I do I think a ceiling of up to 85k miles would ensure that the battery warrenty expires on time rather than mileage.
I did watch a very interesting YouTube video last night looking at potential issues and costs in running an EV up to and beyond ten years old. It seems that statistically the battery is the least likely item to wear out/need replacing compared to suspension and brake parts. In the UK the average EV is expected to last for 18.4 years until it becomes uneconomical to repair, whereas the average petrol vehicle will last for 18.7 years and diesels for 16.8 years.
Consequently, provided the battery has been looked after and charged properly it's unlikely to be an issue on a high mileage car, in fact probably less of an issue than the entire drivetrain on an ICE vehicle.
For anyone that is interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CR08fZKrKY
One thing worth checking carefully on the Polestar is the packs, because a lot of the kit isn't standard. The upgraded sound system came with the Plus pack, and adaptive cruise / Pilot Assist came with the Pilot pack, so two cars that look identical in photos can be quite different in spec - it's worth asking for the original spec sheet rather than relying on the advert description.
By contrast the I-Pace in HSE trim came with most of that sort of kit as standard, so the comparison isn't quite like-for-like on price unless the Polestar has both packs.
At your sort of annual mileage I'd also put more weight on condition and a proper battery health report than on a few thousand miles' difference in the odometer - and check how much of the battery warranty is left by age, not just by mileage, as you're already doing.
By contrast the I-Pace in HSE trim came with most of that sort of kit as standard, so the comparison isn't quite like-for-like on price unless the Polestar has both packs.
At your sort of annual mileage I'd also put more weight on condition and a proper battery health report than on a few thousand miles' difference in the odometer - and check how much of the battery warranty is left by age, not just by mileage, as you're already doing.
If you go iPace, ideally you want an HSE with adaptive and air suspension - it increases comfort AND sportiness.
They're fantastic drivers cars, people who have had one will know...
PS2 is a perfectly sensible choice, but plainly not as nice interior or as smart looking inside and out. The iPace is a proper luxury SUV.
The meridian sound system is excellent by the way.
They're fantastic drivers cars, people who have had one will know...
PS2 is a perfectly sensible choice, but plainly not as nice interior or as smart looking inside and out. The iPace is a proper luxury SUV.
The meridian sound system is excellent by the way.
I wouldn't even consider an ipace older than 2022 model year. There were a number of revisions that improved things reliability wise, plus 2022 was when LG started to sort out t he batteries.
Honestly though the ipace seems to follow LR design principles - the drivetrain and body need separating to do almost anything. That means that maintenance costs down the line are going to be a serious issue and you are going to see cars written off for relatively minor issues.
Jag are currently limiting charging to 90% because of fire risk as a 'temporary' measure while they develop a real solution. Frankly I'm not convinced that there will ever be a real solution.
Jag are currently not making cars, they are getting rid of lots of staff, the future plan is for a very expensive ev which they think they can sell. Who will be up for buying a new Jag EV after seeing how ipace buyers have been treated.
I'm not convinced that Jag is going to survive.
Honestly though the ipace seems to follow LR design principles - the drivetrain and body need separating to do almost anything. That means that maintenance costs down the line are going to be a serious issue and you are going to see cars written off for relatively minor issues.
Jag are currently limiting charging to 90% because of fire risk as a 'temporary' measure while they develop a real solution. Frankly I'm not convinced that there will ever be a real solution.
Jag are currently not making cars, they are getting rid of lots of staff, the future plan is for a very expensive ev which they think they can sell. Who will be up for buying a new Jag EV after seeing how ipace buyers have been treated.
I'm not convinced that Jag is going to survive.
Sparky137 said:
It will be a cash purchase (no finance or pcp). I am retired so salary sacrifice is not an option either. I will only do about 3000 miles a year and have other petrol and diesel cars in the fleet to use if necessary.
So give me a reason please as to which should I choose?
The biggest benefit of any EV is cheap fuel costs, however 3000 miles a year is only just more than what I do on a pedal bike. Why the urge to get an used EV with a list of potential issues if you have other cars already to use?So give me a reason please as to which should I choose?
gangzoom said:
Sparky137 said:
It will be a cash purchase (no finance or pcp). I am retired so salary sacrifice is not an option either. I will only do about 3000 miles a year and have other petrol and diesel cars in the fleet to use if necessary.
So give me a reason please as to which should I choose?
The biggest benefit of any EV is cheap fuel costs, however 3000 miles a year is only just more than what I do on a pedal bike. Why the urge to get an used EV with a list of potential issues if you have other cars already to use?So give me a reason please as to which should I choose?
gangzoom said:
The biggest benefit of any EV is cheap fuel costs, however 3000 miles a year is only just more than what I do on a pedal bike. Why the urge to get an used EV with a list of potential issues if you have other cars already to use?
I tend to keep my cars for a very long time hence the other cars are either old (youngest is 20 years old) or classics (2 classic Range Rovers and a Mercedes convertible), and a Chevrolet Avalanche pickup (Large and juicy). None of them lend themselves to cheap and/or reliable transport. Need I say more!!!At 66 years old and with arthritis in the knees I don't see myself going anywhere on a pedal bike
Edited by Sparky137 on Saturday 3rd October 11:06
Edited by Sparky137 on Saturday 3rd October 11:06
LukeB_92 said:
One thing worth checking carefully on the Polestar is the packs, because a lot of the kit isn't standard. The upgraded sound system came with the Plus pack, and adaptive cruise / Pilot Assist came with the Pilot pack, so two cars that look identical in photos can be quite different in spec - it's worth asking for the original spec sheet rather than relying on the advert description.
By contrast the I-Pace in HSE trim came with most of that sort of kit as standard, so the comparison isn't quite like-for-like on price unless the Polestar has both packs.
First-year Polestar 2s are all LRDM with Plus and Pilot (launch spec).By contrast the I-Pace in HSE trim came with most of that sort of kit as standard, so the comparison isn't quite like-for-like on price unless the Polestar has both packs.
After that, cars with front foglights (small circular lights low down) have the Pilot pack, and cars with the glass roof have the Plus pack. Usually both these aspects can be seen in advert photos.
Specs by Pack and Year from Owners Group on FB:
From https://www.facebook.com/groups/2558379420861215/?...
gangzoom said:
The biggest benefit of any EV is cheap fuel costs, however 3000 miles a year is only just more than what I do on a pedal bike. Why the urge to get an used EV with a list of potential issues if you have other cars already to use?
For me the reduced fuel cost is a bonus but things like refinement, effortless performance, reduced maintenance, remote pre-conditioning and the relative purchase price of used cars are the major plus points of EV ownership..If fuel costs were equal with ICE, I'd 100% still stick with an EV daily personally for all of the reasons listed above.
Good point about the ipace is it can be specified with a towbar.
The polestar... Well I was jaded when I had a string of them in 2022 and 2023 for work. Range was pants in the real world. 70mph motorway cruise in the rain (so a/C and lights on) just destroyed the range. Motorway journeys that should have been easily achieved within the claimed range ended up being stressful and slow hypermile endeavours, arriving with a mile or two remaining on the range. Some of my colleagues actually had to be recovered due to draining the battery.
But, as you are retired you might not feel the need to keep at 70 or venture out on wet days for long journeys.
The polestar... Well I was jaded when I had a string of them in 2022 and 2023 for work. Range was pants in the real world. 70mph motorway cruise in the rain (so a/C and lights on) just destroyed the range. Motorway journeys that should have been easily achieved within the claimed range ended up being stressful and slow hypermile endeavours, arriving with a mile or two remaining on the range. Some of my colleagues actually had to be recovered due to draining the battery.
But, as you are retired you might not feel the need to keep at 70 or venture out on wet days for long journeys.
donkmeister said:
Good point about the ipace is it can be specified with a towbar.
The polestar... Well I was jaded when I had a string of them in 2022 and 2023 for work. Range was pants in the real world. 70mph motorway cruise in the rain (so a/C and lights on) just destroyed the range. Motorway journeys that should have been easily achieved within the claimed range ended up being stressful and slow hypermile endeavours, arriving with a mile or two remaining on the range. Some of my colleagues actually had to be recovered due to draining the battery.
But, as you are retired you might not feel the need to keep at 70 or venture out on wet days for long journeys.
If you have to be recovered in ANY car, then you are an idiot. The Polestar even tells you in adavance, and updates itself on the Nav screen, as you go along, with the expected arrival % of battery. On top of that with 10-80% charge speed of less than 30 mins.... why would you run out of battery???The polestar... Well I was jaded when I had a string of them in 2022 and 2023 for work. Range was pants in the real world. 70mph motorway cruise in the rain (so a/C and lights on) just destroyed the range. Motorway journeys that should have been easily achieved within the claimed range ended up being stressful and slow hypermile endeavours, arriving with a mile or two remaining on the range. Some of my colleagues actually had to be recovered due to draining the battery.
But, as you are retired you might not feel the need to keep at 70 or venture out on wet days for long journeys.
I've got a polestar 2, 2022 model plus pack, no pilot pack. You need Plus Pack for the upgraded HK sound system and heat pump, you can tell if a car has it by the presence of the pano-roof.
The only major common fault I'm aware of is a ticking noise called the "wheel of fortune sound" when you regen hard. My car has it very mildly. I get extremely annoyed by knocking noises etc and its not bad enough to bother getting it repaired. Apparently it's caused by the driveshafts and there is a revised part which helps.
The other thing with the early polestar 2 is the infotainment system can be a bit slow. Again, this kind of stuff annoys me and I find it perfectly liveable. Just sometimes it takes 20s or so to bring up the maps when you start the car. You can use android auto/carsync anyway.
It's a great car, i really like it.
The only major common fault I'm aware of is a ticking noise called the "wheel of fortune sound" when you regen hard. My car has it very mildly. I get extremely annoyed by knocking noises etc and its not bad enough to bother getting it repaired. Apparently it's caused by the driveshafts and there is a revised part which helps.
The other thing with the early polestar 2 is the infotainment system can be a bit slow. Again, this kind of stuff annoys me and I find it perfectly liveable. Just sometimes it takes 20s or so to bring up the maps when you start the car. You can use android auto/carsync anyway.
It's a great car, i really like it.
You look to have done a fair bit of homework OP but, having been considering an iPace myself until quite recently, I'm not sure £17k would buy a decent one? Given some of the known issues I'd be reluctant to go older than a 2022 car but I'm not sure you'd get a good one for £17k - I think realistically the price would be starting with a 2 for something of that vintage unless it had high mileage and/or a relatively low spec (or was on a private sale with an owner desperate to sell!).
In terms of the driving, ride quality is obviously a very subjective thing but ultimately what turned my wife and I away from the iPace was what we considered to be an overly soft and floaty ride, especially across undulating B-roads - the reference point for that judgement was our old G21 M340i which we both felt was more planted and better controlled over the same roads. Admittedly the iPace we test drove didn't have air suspension or adaptive dynamics - and those things may well make a significant difference - but if you're buying something high mileage with air suspension you might need to factor in replacement of the air suspension units (which will probably be around £1k/corner even from an independent).
I appreciate others rave about the way the iPace drives - and I agree there's a lot to like - but if you're used to BMW's I'd just advise a decent test drive in the Jag to make sure it's right for you!
Can't comment on the Polestar 2 I'm afraid - it was another one on our list to consider but a sit inside convinced Mrs JNW1 it wasn't for her so we never got as far as test driving one!
In terms of the driving, ride quality is obviously a very subjective thing but ultimately what turned my wife and I away from the iPace was what we considered to be an overly soft and floaty ride, especially across undulating B-roads - the reference point for that judgement was our old G21 M340i which we both felt was more planted and better controlled over the same roads. Admittedly the iPace we test drove didn't have air suspension or adaptive dynamics - and those things may well make a significant difference - but if you're buying something high mileage with air suspension you might need to factor in replacement of the air suspension units (which will probably be around £1k/corner even from an independent).
I appreciate others rave about the way the iPace drives - and I agree there's a lot to like - but if you're used to BMW's I'd just advise a decent test drive in the Jag to make sure it's right for you!
Can't comment on the Polestar 2 I'm afraid - it was another one on our list to consider but a sit inside convinced Mrs JNW1 it wasn't for her so we never got as far as test driving one!
donkmeister said:
Good point about the ipace is it can be specified with a towbar.
The polestar... Well I was jaded when I had a string of them in 2022 and 2023 for work. Range was pants in the real world. 70mph motorway cruise in the rain (so a/C and lights on) just destroyed the range. Motorway journeys that should have been easily achieved within the claimed range ended up being stressful and slow hypermile endeavours, arriving with a mile or two remaining on the range. Some of my colleagues actually had to be recovered due to draining the battery.
But, as you are retired you might not feel the need to keep at 70 or venture out on wet days for long journeys.
EV Database has the original PS2 motorway range as 175-220 miles, the I-Pace at 170-210 miles (winter and summer numbers for each car). My experience is that matches what I've been getting in the Polestar.The polestar... Well I was jaded when I had a string of them in 2022 and 2023 for work. Range was pants in the real world. 70mph motorway cruise in the rain (so a/C and lights on) just destroyed the range. Motorway journeys that should have been easily achieved within the claimed range ended up being stressful and slow hypermile endeavours, arriving with a mile or two remaining on the range. Some of my colleagues actually had to be recovered due to draining the battery.
But, as you are retired you might not feel the need to keep at 70 or venture out on wet days for long journeys.
So the range is the same, but the Polestar has faster charging and battery preconditioning to sustain that rate in winter.
https://ev-database.org/uk/car/1170/Polestar-2
https://ev-database.org/uk/car/1287/Jaguar-I-Pace-...
You can also get a towbar on the Polestar 2 should you wish, although I imagine the OP's Avalanche handles such tasks.
Road2Ruin said:
donkmeister said:
Good point about the ipace is it can be specified with a towbar.
The polestar... Well I was jaded when I had a string of them in 2022 and 2023 for work. Range was pants in the real world. 70mph motorway cruise in the rain (so a/C and lights on) just destroyed the range. Motorway journeys that should have been easily achieved within the claimed range ended up being stressful and slow hypermile endeavours, arriving with a mile or two remaining on the range. Some of my colleagues actually had to be recovered due to draining the battery.
But, as you are retired you might not feel the need to keep at 70 or venture out on wet days for long journeys.
If you have to be recovered in ANY car, then you are an idiot. The Polestar even tells you in adavance, and updates itself on the Nav screen, as you go along, with the expected arrival % of battery. On top of that with 10-80% charge speed of less than 30 mins.... why would you run out of battery???The polestar... Well I was jaded when I had a string of them in 2022 and 2023 for work. Range was pants in the real world. 70mph motorway cruise in the rain (so a/C and lights on) just destroyed the range. Motorway journeys that should have been easily achieved within the claimed range ended up being stressful and slow hypermile endeavours, arriving with a mile or two remaining on the range. Some of my colleagues actually had to be recovered due to draining the battery.
But, as you are retired you might not feel the need to keep at 70 or venture out on wet days for long journeys.
You have a 160 mile journey ahead and a meeting to attend at the end of it. The car says it has about 200 miles range remaining. You drive sedately, cruise on a motorway at 70mph, the journey is flat, you get 100 miles into your journey and realise you have 50 miles range left. That's terrible design. The range calculation should be more prudent, to reflect real world use. But then, would they lose sales?
You shouldn't have to actively manage use of demisters and drive significantly below the speed limit when the car claimed to have 125% of the range required at the start of the journey.
I'm a more attentive driver so managed to work around the limitations and arrived a little later (and less relaxed) than I should have, but as mentioned some of my colleagues did not. Not everyone keeps a close eye on everything on the trip computer, so by the time they find out they won't have the range it's too late. You can't just make a random charging stop on your way to a meeting, the car should work properly and do what it claimed it could at the start of the journey.
Edited by donkmeister on Saturday 3rd October 20:07
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