Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model 3 review – which electric car is better? | What Car?

The BIGGEST electric car battle of 2020 is here! The current EV king is the Tesla Model 3, but it faces tough competition from the new Polestar 2. Which is best? Watch to find out

Close on price, power and range; but which EV should you buy?

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 How to create a desirable electric car company
01:07 Deals
01:12 Polestar 2 interior
02:36 Infotainment comparison
03:10 Model 3 interior
04:31 Rear seat comparison
04:54 Boot comparison
05:24 Pricing
05:56 Polestar 2 driving
06:51 Tech comparison
08:10 Performance Pack explained
09:07 Model 3 driving
11:10 Electric range comparison
11:25 Charging speed comparison
12:26 Roundup




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[slhslh]

Good review which seems fair to me. I have an M3P, but if for some reason I had to pick a different EV it would be the Polestar 2, so well done to polestar for putting together at least a sensible alternative to Tesla. The more credible EVs there are, the better for all of us.

[paulr]

I have a M3P. No reliability issues at all. Interior is a breath of fresh air and relaxing. The looks are the result of a low drag coefficient. It looks more like a sports car than the polestar, to me. Very happy with mine.

[salamandur]

I’ve ordered the PS2, fits us perfectly. I live far north in Norway, drive 99% on charging from my house. We have alot of darkness in the fall and winter, which means the headlights will be in use alot. The Pixel lights should be a clear winner in that regard for the PS2, and headlightwashers are only one car who has and its the PS2. Tow hitch and can pull 1500kg, forged wheels (and an option to use 3rd party wheels without losing warranty), no panelgaps, no ugly aero wheels, 360’ camera, more than one screen, electric tailgate, greater quality on the paintwork (Volvo paint>Tesla), looks alot better IMO, frameless mirrors look fantastic. The list is long for why I chose the Polestar over a Tesla. But the Tesla was never considered because of the bad quality on the build and paintwork.

[abu]

I must admit, I prefer the design of the Polestar, inside and outside! It's a good looking car.

[raymondsmith]

Long Range Side by Side Comparison:
Vehicle Polestar 2 Tesla 3 Long Range
Price £46, 900* £46, 990*
Battery 78kwh 75kwh
Efficiency 2.99mi/kw 4.29mi/kw
Range 233 EPA 322 EPA
0-60 4.7s 4.4s
Safety TBC 5 star NCAP
Service Annually No servicing required
Warranty 3 years 8 years battery/motor
Motor 402bhp 443bhp
Charging 150DC 250DC
Network Public only Tesla Network + public
Safety Pilot Autopilot
Autonomous None £6, 800 (software)*
*After government grant
**Hardware included in base cost, can upgrade software at any time

[kamran]

Polestar is a great looker ;-) Love the yellow belts

[ProfRCook]

What about design philosophy? Sustainable materials, driver engagement, safety, aesthetics, and practicality?

[D_HongKongVideos]

Charging infrastructure is the elephant in the room

[MarcoPon]

I don't understand the remark against Tesla's steering and mirror regulations. First, they are usually a one-time only setup, maybe with a couple of tweaks in the first hours/days of use. So it's pretty irrelevant if the controls are immediately available or behind a menu or two. Plus the steering adjust for the PS2 is manual, while the Tesla can save it in the driver profile, which is super handy if the car is driven by more than one person (which is often the case). Here Tesla have definitely the better solution.
As it often happens, this is very evident for a regular user of the car, and less to a reviewer/tester that goes from one car to another, maybe.

[dangrass]

seems that the more apt comparison would be the dual motor long range instead of the performance Tesla....since even the DMLR is faster than the Polestar.

[stevencrawford]

Been watching reviews of the Polestar 2 for the past few days and almost every reviewer a year ago said they would prefer the M3. But then this year post another video saying they changed their mind and much prefer the Polestar 2. Guess the OTA updates really helped it out this year. But for me, Polestar 2, just looks more fun and less hassle. And those pixel headlights, wow, amazing for night driving.

[jamesmccormack]

Not everything is about how fast it accelerates ! Most people buying these kinda cars are not going to be drag racing them down the motorways. The Polestar makes more sense, its cheaper, has better quality inside -(where it really needs to be of better quality) had a proper drivers display. Not every little thing controlled through 500 submenus, such as a way to just to open a glove box or temp control ?? old school adjustments will be more user friendly to most drivers.

[dosperado]

Charging a Polestar 78kWH battery from 10% to 80% in an hour with 50kW? You are a dreamer....

[brucekennedy]

Very fair comparison. I think the fact the polestar 2 even comes close to the TM3 is praiseworthy. No-one can beat Tesla’s charging network, so if you want that, theres no discussion left. Personally, I would pick the PS2 because I think it’s a beautifully designed, premium looking beast of a car, sure it doesn’t do as much or go quite as far, or as fast, but it’s still plenty for me.

[mddah]

I drive a Tesla Model 3P and have 2 x 240 km round trips for work each week. Like many people I am working more from home. Although there is a supercharger within 10 km I do 90% of my charging at home - rooftop solar and off-peak grid. Costs are minimal. To be fair to the Polestar 2 many owners will be able to do that, so superchargers are not a deal maker/ breaker for people who don't do regular long trips. Prospective buyers should understand this. The Model 3 is the best car I have owned but the Polestar looks like an excellent proposition and well priced without the performance extras.

[MsWarpedone]

Since when are manual steering wheel controls better than electric with memory?
In Tesla steering wheel position gets saved into your profile. If the car is driven by more than one person this means it will automatically restore your proffered position even when some other driver (say your wife) changed its position.

I won't go into 'easy entry' that automatically moves steering wheel and seat position so it is easier to get in and out.

[markjames]

I have a 3 and one thing it seems most of the reviewers don't get, is the voice commands. You say everything has to be done though the one screen, but most of my interactions with the cars controls are with voice commands.

[MyRealNameIs]

Model 3 is the car for the tech enthousiast to buy. Who likes tech features and welcomes a product which isn’t finished but is improving like software.

Polestar 2 is the car for the traditional carbuyer who values thinks like quality, dealership relationships and conventional things like buttons and a driver display.

You can’t go wrong which ever you pick in my opinion.

[yashgulave]

I really like the Polestar's interior. The problem with Tesla's interiors is that they are so minimalist that they feel unfinished or incomplete.

[davidfrank]

Went P2
Hatchback - for doggo
Towbar - for trailer which is braked.
3 years servicing (at any Volvo dealer), 3 years breakdown cover, 3 year warranty (battery 8 years). Plus if I take it to my local Volvo dealer I get a courtesy car and they pick mine up.
Volvo quality with more car like interior design.

Though, the Tesla LR and Performance I test drove for a day each were totally quick, but the build quality wasn't the best.
Supercharger network is incredible on the long trip I did, but nearest one from me is 60 miles, don't often drive that far.