The Polestar vs. Tesla rivalry is relatively new, as all-electric cars are a recent phenomenon. It is poised to be a key dynamic in the automotive industry in the future, however, as we collectively move toward an electrified future.
The Polestar 2 is the brand's first all-electric vehicle, a dynamic fastback car that pairs impressive performance with a comfortable interior and luxury amenities. The Tesla Model 3 is a sedan that also features an all-electric powertrain and a sleek look, albeit with a more overenthusiastic approach to minimalism. We'll compare the Polestar 2 vs. Tesla Model 3 to help you decide which vehicle is right for you and yours before you shop at one of our DARCARS Automotive Group dealerships.
Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor AWD
| Powertrain: | Dual electric motors |
|---|---|
| Horsepower: | 469 |
| Torque: | 546 lb-ft |
| 0-60: | 4 sec |
| Range: | 254 mi1 |
| Seating Capacity: | 5 |
| Max. Cargo Capacity: | 38.7 cu ft (w/ available ski hatch) |
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
| Powertrain: | Dual electric motors |
|---|---|
| Horsepower: | Not specified by OEM |
| Torque: | Not specified by OEM |
| 0-60: | 4.2 sec |
| Range: | 346 mi2 |
| Seating Capacity: | 5 |
| Max. Cargo Capacity: | 24.1 cu ft |
Polestar 2 vs. Tesla Model 3 Interior
When folks think of a Polestar vs. Tesla comparison, they jump immediately to the question of the vehicles' all-electric powertrains. The car's cabin, however, is where you'll spend most of your time, so finding a comfortable one is an important part of choosing your next ride. The cabin of the Polestar 2 is more upscale than that of the Tesla Model 3. The Polestar vehicle boasts genuine wood interior accents and a sleek, functional style, whereas the Tesla car features some inexpensive parts that detract from the overall design.
The Polestar 2 has a touchscreen for controlling music and navigation, steering wheel buttons that allow you to change songs without taking your hands off the wheel, and a digital instrument display. The Tesla Model 3, however, features a large touchscreen between the driver and passenger seats that handles most of these duties. While we're a fan of minimalist style – something the Polestar brand excels at, too – it seems that the Tesla Model 3 goes too far. The steering wheel buttons found on the Tesla sedan are unusual – they control the turn signals, for example.
This round of the Polestar vs. Tesla competition goes to Polestar 2. The 2025 model is a dynamic and muscular car with a refined, inviting cabin that will serve you and your family well, but the older model years are also quite impressive. You'd be well-served to check out our used Polestar inventory if this attractive vehicle seems to be up your alley.
Tesla vs. Polestar Performance Specs
Now, let's compare Polestar performance side by side with that of the Tesla car. Both vehicles are powered by battery-and-motor electrical architectures that propel the car forward without using a drop of gasoline. Every version of the Polestar 2 features all-wheel drive, whereas the Tesla equivalent has RWD with an available upgrade to AWD.
The Polestar 2, which is exclusively fitted with a dual-motor system with AWD for the 2025 model year, produces 469 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque, enabling it to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a mere four seconds. The 2025 Polestar 2 features specialized tuning that fosters these performance metrics. It also has two-way adjustable front dampers to improve handling and ride quality.
The entry-level 2025 Tesla Model 3 makes 295 horsepower, according to some sources like Car and Driver.3 However, Tesla is strangely withholding when it comes to their performance specs. They also don't follow traditional model years, changing and updating lineups at whim. For instance, the 2025 models we talk about here may not be what you see on the OEM's website. With that in mind, we can't give you accurate horsepower and torque ratings for the 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD variant with any confidence.
We can tell you that the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD is rated for a 4.2-second 0-60 time, which is impressive. However, keep in mind that this is an upgraded model – the entry-level edition is rated to make the same sprint in 4.6 seconds. Meanwhile, you get a four-second-flat 0-60 time in the standard Polestar 2.
Both vehicles are capable of fast charging with the appropriate connection, which you'll easily find at public charging stations. You can learn more about the impressive Polestar 2 charging times, which include the ability to recharge from 10% to 80% in approximately 28 minutes using a DC fast charger,4 at Polestar.com or by visiting our dealership to discuss this futuristic vehicle with us.
While you're here, we'll happily walk you through any other Polestar vehicles that have caught your attention. We can also tell you about the Polestar performance upgrade available for Volvo vehicles. Volvo Cars is the company behind the Polestar lineup.
You can find more hybrid and electric car info elsewhere on our site if you're curious.
Compare Polestar and Tesla Dimensions
The Polestar 2 is 181.3 inches long, 73.2 inches wide (excluding the mirrors), and 58 inches tall. These exterior dimensions translate into a spacious interior. The driver and front-seat passenger will enjoy 42.2 inches of effective front legroom, while folks in the back get 33.9 inches of space. There are 41.3 inches of front headroom and 37 inches in the back row. The hatchback-esque trunk offers 14.4 cubic feet of space and a bevy of straps and cubbies to effectively organize your groceries and prevent them from sliding around. Opt for the available ski hatch, and you'll be able to fold your rear row down to open up 38.7 cubic feet of load space.
The Tesla Model 3 is 185.8 inches long, 72.8 inches wide, and 56.7 inches tall. Tesla Motors rarely shares detailed specs, and this also applies to interior dimensions. However, it has been estimated that the Model 3 has 42.7 inches of front legroom and 34.5 inches in the second row.3 The headroom is more cramped for this vehicle's occupants, with just 40.3 inches of space in the front and 37.8 inches in the back.3 The Tesla Model 3 offers 24.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row.
The Tesla Model 3 is larger than the Polestar 2 but has comparable interior dimensions to the agile all-electric Polestar vehicle. With that in mind, this round of our Polestar vs. Tesla showdown is a bit of a wash, though we still favor the Polestar 2 for its increased maneuverability. Plus, the Polestar 2 has a more driver-friendly cabin and better standard performance specs, so overall, the dynamic and luxurious Polestar 2 is clearly the way to go – contact our team to see if we can put you behind the wheel of a Polestar 2 at one of our DARCARS Automotive Group dealerships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Polestar brand better than Tesla?
In our view, the Polestar brand is superior to Tesla. The latter takes advantage of media hype to sell products that have consistently fallen short of their original stated goals. Polestar automakers, on the other hand, take a more restrained approach to business that does not rely on games, gimmicks, or star power to succeed. We expect this automaker to perform better in the long run.
Who makes Polestar cars?
Gearheads will note that performance-oriented Volvo vehicles have, in the past and present, had the Polestar name on their badges to signify their incredible power and responsive drive style. Volvo Cars recently spun off the Polestar brand as a proper subsidiary to make performance-oriented all-electric vehicles. The Polestar 2 shares its architecture with other Volvo automobiles, like the all-electric Volvo EX40.
When did the Polestar brand come out?
The Polestar brand became an independent automotive manufacturer in June 2017. The company spent several years developing the Polestar lineup; now, those cars – the Polestar 1, Polestar 2, and Polestar 3 – have been on the streets for several years. The brand has since introduced the Polestar 4. We look forward to seeing what else the incredible Polestar stable will have to offer drivers in the future.