When you think of Tesla and its competition, not too many brands or marques come to mind. The world of the electric vehicle may be burgeoning, but it's at an unfurling speed, not a mushrooming one. There are some other relevant EV brands out there, like Nikola which is launching the Badger pickup to dethrone the Tesla Cybertruck, and more offerings from Nissan, BMW, Fisker, SEAT, Faraday, and Polestar.
Polestar is a Sino-Swedish company owned by the Volvo Group which is now parented under the Chinese megacorp, Geely Automobiles. The name comes from a racing group acquired by Volvo in 2015, and the Polestar marque’s singular aim is to bring out high-end, luxurious electric cars to directly compete with Tesla. More specifically the Polestar 2 with the Tesla Model 3.
So, let’s put the two cars against each other and see which one leads and which one lags, and where…
10 Polestar 2 Wins: The Looks Are Sensational
The Polestar 2 looks stunning, considering its clean lines are based on the Volvo S60 but with a decidedly futuristic edge that does not look OTT in the least. Stand it next to a Model 3 and the latter will pale in comparison and even size.
If you see it go by you on the road, the heads will turn but not because of any unnecessary adornments like fake vents and such, but simply because this car has a great road presence, which comes with its 2.1-ton weight.
9 Polestar 2 Wins: Getting In & Driving Off Is A Breeze
Forget keys and starter buttons. The Polestar 2 has keyless entry, so you just smoothly glide in and jam the brake, and the car wakes up, ready to go. It's simple to drive and you don’t even have to choose any powertrain modules.
You put the traction control in the ‘Sport mode; and toggle steering and that’s it. If you want to put the car to sleep, as in the park and lock, select park and exit the car and that’s it. After the Polestar 2, keys will seem an archaic concept.
8 Polestar 2 Wins: The Interior Is Very Refined
The centerpiece of the car is a big touchscreen, 11-inches across, and comes mounted high enough for the driver to be able to look at it with ease without a fender bender. There is no loading lag, so the display is ready as soon as the car is, and it is very smartphone-like because this is the first car to use Google OS.
So it will feel very familiar to the Google lover. And the best move is that sculpted gear selector that gives your arm the support needed to stop wavering while working the display on a not-so-smooth road.
7 Polestar 2 Wins: Infotainment Is A Delight
Even the most hardened of Apple Car Play users will not miss their iTunes on this one, because the infotainment on the Polestar 2 spoils you for choice. The design of the display is uncluttered with large, clearly discernible widgets and for navigation, and the infotainment display has Google Maps built-in.
Not only will this show you the distance et al as it does on the phone, but it will also display the car charge levels at the start and the destination, making you aware in time if there is a charging station handy.
6 Polestar 2 Wins: It Competes With The Tesla Model 3 & Y
Technically, the Polestar will compete with the Model 3, especially as later, it will bring out its cheaper and more basic trims, thus lowering the price bracket to what Model 3 ranges around.
But when you look at the price and the features of the Polestar 2, it may appeal to anyone thinking of getting themselves a Model Y, especially since both are neither a sedan and nor a crossover, bridging a gap not many knew existed. Plus, the Model Y looks a lot like the Model 3 while the Polestar 2 offers a visual edge.
5 Tesla Wins: The Range Is Unmatched
At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Polestar 2 was announced with a range of 275 miles on a single full charge of its 78-kWh lithium-ion battery. This is higher than the standard and mid-ranges of the Tesla Model 3, which has a 220 and 264-mile range on a single charge.
It is less than the long-range trim of the Model 3 that gives 300 miles, or the Model Y that ranges from 290-316 miles. Till now, Tesla’s range stands unchallenged and that’s a definite Tesla win.
4 Tesla Wins: Charging Times Are Superior
The Polestar 2 makes more than 400 horses from dual electric motors and can go 0-60 mph in less than five seconds. The similar dual-motored Model 3 makes 450 horsepower and will do the same 0-60 mph sprint in a much faster 3.3 seconds.
This is possible because the Model 3 is lighter. The Model 3 has a cool and quick charging time of 170 miles in 30 minutes using a Tesla supercharger; something the Polestar 2 has not even announced till now because home-charging for any EV varies per connection and charger.
3 Tesla Wins: Tesla Is Cheaper
Tesla has a direct-sales model. No dealerships are needed because the models can be directly booked with the manufacturer, at refundable amounts, and the main payments are to be made upon delivery. While Tesla has been promising its cheapest Model 3 ever, at about $35,000, it's current cheapest one stands at $42,900 before taxes.
A fully-loaded Model 3 is expensive and runs close to about $66,000. The Polestar 2 plans to launch at $63,000 and promises a more affordable version at $44,000, but for now, Tesla Model 3 is cheaper than the Polestar Model 2.
2 Tesla Wins: It Has That Patriotic Flavor
The current state of the world with the Coronavirus pandemic has turned sour for China with many political movements across the world to boycott the country that “did not warn of the pandemic spread”. Wrong or right, for now, Chinese products are at an all-time low in most parts of the world with many foreign-owned factories in China moving out to other Asian countries.
For now, with the direct-to-order Tesla sales system and the pandemic affecting the automobile industry’s expansion plans, Polestar 2 comes with a bitter aftertaste for the US.
1 Tesla Wins: The Spartan Interiors Are Attractive
If you look at the interiors of the Model 3, they are spartan. Other than the 15-inch touchscreen and the steering wheel, the insides of the Model 3 do not look like what traditional cars do.
If you look at the Polestar 2 interiors, they also lack an instrument cluster but are decidedly busier and more “filled” than the Model 3, sticking to a more traditional appeal on the insides. While for some this may make the Polestar 2 better, for most of the Tesla buyers the spartan look is a definite novelty.