Polestar 2 v Tesla Model 3: Specs and pricing compared

Australian pricing and features for the Polestar 2 have been revealed, and it has a similar driving range, size and price to the current electric sales champion – the Tesla Model 3.

But how do they stack up? Let's find out.

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Performance

Like the Model 3, the Polestar 2 comes in three different variants: Standard Range (FWD single motor), Long Range (FWD single motor) and Long Range (AWD dual motor).

The single-motor Polestar 2 will do 0-100 km/h in a claimed 7.4s with a top speed of 160 km/h. The dual-motor version meanwhile, claims to cover 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, also with a 160 km/h top speed.

Polestar offers an $8000 Performance pack, which doesn't improve the car's acceleration or top speed – but along with other features such as gold seatbelts and Brembo brakes, adds Ohlins Dual Flow Valve dampers with 22 suspension settings, which is something the Model 3 doesn't offer.

Not bad from Polestar, but Tesla has it beat in raw numbers.

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Driving range

At the entry level, the Polestar 2 and Model 3 are basically identical in terms of driving range, according to WLTP measurements, but both versions of the Long Range Polestar 2 pull up short compared to the Model 3 Long Range and Performance.

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Charging Speed

Both cars have 400V battery systems and will charge at more or less the same speed at a DC charger. Both have a max 11kW AC charge rate via a Type 2 socket.

Due to the Model 3's impressive efficiency (13.2kWh/100km vs. 17.1kWh/100km), you won't have to stick around at the charger as long to get the same amount of driving range. Handy if you just need a quick top-up to get to your next destination.

Charging Network

The Polestar 2 has the same problem every other non-Tesla EV has – it can't use Tesla's Supercharger network despite the fact the plug (CCS2) fits, because Tesla locks the chargers to only work on Tesla vehicles.

The Model 3 can use all the same chargers the Polestar 2 can, in addition to the Tesla ones. While public facilities are still relatively sparse, Tesla will have an edge when it comes to charging.

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Safety features

Even though the Polestar 2 has more safety features than the Model 3, most of it is bundled in a $5000 Pilot Pack – which includes basic systems such as advanced lane keep assist (Pilot Assist, the equivalent of Tesla's basic Auto Pilot), blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

That said, the Pilot Pack does include a few extras the Model 3 doesn’t have:

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Tech features

Again, both cars have similar levels of gadgets available, including a smartphone app and over-the-air updates, but some things will cost extra on the Polestar 2 to match what the Model 3 comes with as standard:

The only major feature the Polestar 2 has by default that the Model 3 doesn't is a foot-operated tailgate. Neither car has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – although, in Polestar's case, this is because it utilises the Android Automotive Operating System. The Polestar 2 is the first production car to use this platform.

It's also worth mentioning the $10,100 "Full Self Driving" option on the Model 3, which adds features such as automated freeway lane changes, parallel parking and the 'Summon' party-trick – which is handy for getting out of tight parking spots.

Cargo space

Externally, the Polestar 2 and Model 3 are almost identical in size. The Polestar 2 has a cargo space of 405L in the rear, while the Model 3 can hold 425L. However, the liftback design on the Polestar 2 may allow for more flexible storage. Both have a frunk, but the Model 3's is larger.

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Pricing

The Polestar 2 comes in at competitive price points compared to the Model 3:

This is sharp pricing, but it's diminished by the fact you need to option the Pilot ($5000), Plus ($6000) or Performance ($8000) packs that contain features which are standard on the Model 3.

For example, if you want adaptive cruise control, a feature included in cars half the price of the Polestar 2, you need to cough up an extra $5000. Not good if you had your eye on the Polestar 2 Long Range, as adding any of the packs makes it ineligible for the $3000 Victoria and New South Wales EV rebates.

If the features of the packs doesn't concern you, the Polestar 2 Long Range (single motor) is in a sweet spot with the ability to travel 540km for $8500 less than the mid-spec Model 3 – with the potential for more savings, as the Polestar 2 Long Range is eligible for rebates the Model 3 Long Range is not.

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Warranty

The Polestar 2 has a superior warranty, providing coverage for five years and unlimited kilometres compared to the Model 3's four years or 80,000km.

Battery warranty on the Polestar 2 is eight years or 160,000km for all variants. The Model 3 Standard Range Plus is the same, but the Long Range and Performance are covered for eight years or 192,000km, whatever comes first.

Model 3 killer at last?

Of all the Model 3 competitors, the Polestar 2 gets closest to the mark. What lets Polestar down, is the extra cost packages.

Adaptive cruise control is an extra $5000, even if you don't want or need the other stuff in the Pilot Pack. A wireless charger, or an energy-saving heat pump, are only in the $6000 Plus Pack. All of this is available on the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus.

If we learn anything from the raft of clean-sheet electric vehicles coming onto the market, it's that Tesla's Model 3 Standard Range is hard to beat as a total package.