Skip advert
Advertisement

Twin test: Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is the best pure-electric executive car right now. Does the Polestar 2 have what it takes to knock it off its perch?

Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model 3

There's no denying Tesla's hold on the market it helped to create: the Model 3 was the first fully electric mid-sized executive car and has proved a massive success, taking the fight to established internal-combustion rivals like the BMW 3 Series and forcing mainstream manufacturers to play catch-up.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The first major manufacturer to challenge the Model 3's dominance is Volvo, with its electrified Scandi-cool spinoff Polestar. The brand laid out its stall with the ultra-exclusive plug-in hybrid Polestar 1, but the Polestar 2 represents its first major step into the mainstream, with sights set firmly on its US rival.

Polestar has worked hard to develop a package that aims to match or better its rival in key areas; the result is a face-off that's far closer-fought than you may expect. With the benchmark set, Polestar has to match a number of clear goals if the 2 is to be successful.

Polestar 2 Performance Pack

Pros: Strong infotainment, great to drive, sharp looks

Cons: Loses out on space, slightly firm ride, shorter range

Tesla Model 3 Performance

Pros: Huge performance, great technology, cheap to run

Cons: Polestar sharper to drive, more expensive to buy, average interior plastics

Both cars hit all the right notes when it comes to desirability, performance and internal-combustion-rivalling range – but we needed to spend some time with both back-to-back on UK roads to see if the Polestar has what it takes to topple the Tesla.

Read on to see how this head-to-head played out...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Skoda Epiq baby electric SUV to get £22k price point: Simply Clever or epic fail?
Skoda Epiq - header
News

New Skoda Epiq baby electric SUV to get £22k price point: Simply Clever or epic fail?

Skoda’s baby electric SUV will get a bargain starting price and offer a surprising amount of interior space
15 Mar 2024
Hot Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer GTX brings the space and the pace
Volkswagen ID.7 GTX Tourer - front
News

Hot Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer GTX brings the space and the pace

The ID.7 GTX is VW’s new electric flagship. It gets 335bhp and the choice for a hatchback saloon or estate bodystyle
13 Mar 2024
Top 10 electric cars with the biggest boots 2024
Boots
Best cars

Top 10 electric cars with the biggest boots 2024

Looking for an EV with plenty of space? We give a rundown of the electric cars with the biggest boots
28 Feb 2024