Insider’s 2020 Car of the Year Award

It’s a misconception that a prize can only go to one recipient. In fact, it’s often the opposite. Nobel Prizes, Oscars, Booker Prizes, and others are routinely shared. This isn’t Highlander. There can be more than one.

Side view of a white Polestar parked on concrete with a lake in the background.

However, there are cases where it’s a little out of the ordinary. It’s a deviation from the norm for two cars to win a Car of the Year award, for instance. And if the winners happen to constitute the entire line-up of one manufacturer, it’s unprecedented. As befitting Polestar’s guiding star status, both Polestar 1 and Polestar 2 have taken Insider’s Car of the Year award, the first time an EV and hybrid have done so. “We want to applaud Polestar,” states the global news publication. “Not only because it is an exciting new brand, but because it's a brand that's committed to building and selling low- and emissions-free vehicles that are attractive and reasonably attainable.”

Polestar 1 took the top spot due to its exceptional driving characteristics and timeless design. A “ferociously good grand-touring car,” in the words of reviewer Matt DeBord, Polestar 1 also demonstrates staying power. “Advancements in manufacturing and battery technology have given us a contemporary plug-in hybrid that is not only mighty and fast, but will also age gracefully in the coming decades,” says reviewer Kristen Lee.

Polestar 2 has equal claim to first place due to its Android operating system, unique design, and well-rounded performance. “We found the Polestar 2 to be highly capable and downright pleasant to drive,” says Insider. “It was not difficult for us to imagine a buyer becoming easily enamored with its looks and everyday comfort and usability.” Kristen Lee, when reviewing Polestar 2, made sure to emphasize that the understated design is what truly distinguishes it. “It draws your eye because it doesn’t look like anything else currently on the road,” she claims.

Insider’s Car of the Year award, like many others, can be shared. Polestar 1 has won, and Polestar 2 has, too.

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