When it comes to the luxury electric car market, there really is only one company that comes to mind - Tesla. A herculean effort was always going to be required from any company hoping to compete with Elon Musk's very own pet project, whose pockets are deep and PR machine is seemingly relentless.

But a new offering from Scandinavia may just have the South African entrepreneur slightly concerned. Fresh off the back of the original Polestar concept, the company has hit back with the Polestar 2 - the tricky second album. For a company so young, its a bold move, one intended to shake up the electric car industry.

What they've created is by far the best and most complete competitor to the beautifully designed Tesla Model 3.

Here's how they managed to close the gap to one of the most revered car companies in the world.

It's Competitively Priced

A Silver 2020 Polestar 2
Via Auto-news

The first thing to establish is that, if electric cars are going to have a hope of resonating and becoming more ubiquitous in society, the pricetags will surely have to be slashed. The original Polestar was $140,000, understandable given its tech specs, but hardly accessible to most consumers. The Polestar 2 however, is a step in the right direction, coming in at a more than reasonable $59,000. Future incarnations are also likely to be open to modifications, which could reduce the fee further for stripped-back models. While it's true that the Polestar 2 somewhat lags behind the Model 3 in terms of driving range, in every other department it's a worthy challenger - making the pricetag a more than respectable one.

A Complete Driving Package

A White 2020 Polestar 2 on display
Via Wikipedia

Tesla's primary USP is the insane, raw performance of their flagships. In terms of acceleration, few cars, let alone electric, can compete with some of its market leaders. But, as Top Gear points out, these "YouTube friendly 0-60 times" don't always reflect the car's overall package. The Polestar meanwhile, gives you everything you could possibly want from a saloon/SUV crossover. It's not exactly slow, even if it clocks in at a frankly excessive weight of 2.1 tonnes. but more than that, its spacious and comfortable to drive, thanks to the smooth handling and limited driver modifications required. This isn't one for the purist, but in terms of wider appeal, it ticks all boxes with flying colors.

Once Polestar can ace range, which for the moment is just 292 miles, they will well and truly be on par with Tesla when it comes to the everyday driving experience. For the moment, it's not a million miles away, but given how young the company is, expect that to be corrected in the years to come.

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Its Interior Is Similarly Futuristic

The interior of a Polestar 2
Via Autogazette.de

Electric cars have set a new standard for interiors in recent years. With slick panels and space-age graphics, its the vision of the future we all expected would eventually arrive in automobiles. And yet, for all that Tesla has set the bar in this area, Polestar has hit back with a worthy challenger of their own. The 2 has a central pad similar to the Tesla Model 3, but in the Polestar, its higher for easier viewing. Fitted with an easy to navigate Google OS, it has very little lag and makes for a seamless electronic experience that fits in well with its surroundings.

Elsewhere, the rest of the cabin is similarly bespoke, with only a handful of items lifted from Volvo cars - Polestar's parent company. In Addition, the raised nature of the car gives the driver a greater elevated view of the road ahead, with simple, clean dashboard displays - showing you range and speed. Its a rival interior that very much holds its own up against Tesla's uniquely snug cabin experience.

RELATED: Climb Aboard The Hybrid Polestar 1 For A Nurburgring Lap

A Design To Rival Any Tesla

A White Polestar 2 on display
Via Geneva International Motor Show

It isn't just on the inside that the Polestar 2 provides a glimpse of the future. It's exterior is stunningly put together, whether in pristine white or the equally impressive space grey. Its wheel rims are also eye-catching, while the front grille and headlights look as if they belong on a car from Tomorrow's World. It's a compelling minimal aesthetic, not over-complicated by needless panels.

Tesla as a brand didn't get to where it is by making distinctly average vehicles, and it is indeed true that they're the industry standard when it comes to electric technology. But it's a fallacy to assume the Tesla aesthetic isn't part of their appeal. The simple, elegant design is all part of the brand. Polestar, therefore, have done exactly the right thing by making sure the design is also on point. On this evidence, they have a worthy challenger to Telsa's Model 3. Not bad for a company that's only been in the game since 2017.

Sources: Topgear.com, YouTube - Carwow, Whatcar.com, Caranddriver.com, Polestar.com.

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