2024 Polestar Vs. Tesla Comparison & Our Winner | DARCARS
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 into an electrified future. The Polestar 2 is the brand's first all-electric vehicle, a dynamic compact executive car that pairs impressive performance with a comfortable interior and luxury features. The 2024 model boasts impressive upgrades that stem from years of experience in the electric vehicle space. The Tesla Model 3 is also a compact executive sedan featuring an all-electric powertrain and a sleek look. We'll compare the Polestar 2 vs. Tesla Model 3 to help you decide which vehicle is right for you and yours.
Polestar 2 Single Motor
| Engine: | Electric |
|---|---|
| Horsepower: | 299 |
| 0-60: | 5.9 sec |
| Torque: | 361 lb-ft |
| Range: | 320 mi1 |
| # of Seats: | 5 |
| Cargo Capacity: | 14.4 cu. ft. |
| Passenger Volume: | 89 cu. ft. |
Tesla Model 3 RWD
| Engine: | Electric |
|---|---|
| Horsepower: | 271 |
| 0-60: | 5.8 sec |
| Torque: | 310 lb-ft |
| Range: | 272 mi1 |
| # of Seats: | 5 |
| Cargo Capacity: | 19.8 cu. ft. |
| Passenger Volume: | 97 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 be spending time, so finding a comfortable car is an important part of picking 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 has some cheap parts inside that mar the overall design.
The Polestar 2 has a touch screen 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, just has a large touch screen between the driver and passenger seats that handles almost all of these duties. While we're a fan of minimalist style – something Polestar does very well – it seems that the Tesla Model 3 goes too far. The steering wheel buttons that are found on the Tesla sedan are odd -- they control the turn signals, for example.
This round of the Polestar vs. Tesla competition goes to Polestar 2. The 2024 model is a dynamic and muscular car 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
Both vehicles are powered by battery-and-motor electrical architectures that propel the car forward without using a drop of gasoline. The Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3 are available in three trims. The entry-level Polestar 2 has front-wheel drive, and the Tesla equivalent has rear-wheel drive, while the other versions of both vehicles boast all-wheel drive. The technology behind these cars is quite interesting – you can find more hybrid and electric car info if you're curious. Now, we'll compare Polestar side by side with the Tesla car's performance potential.
The 2024 Polestar 2 Single Motor model uses a lithium-ion battery pack and a powerful electric motor to produce 295 horsepower. This puts incredible power under your foot, but even more is available. The dual-motor model gets 421 horsepower, allowing it to shoot from 0 to 60 in about 4.3 seconds. The 2024 Polestar 2 Long Range with Performance Pack model has specialized tuning that sees it get 455 horsepower. It has two-way adjustable front dampers that improve handling and ride quality.
The entry-level Tesla Model 3 gets 271 horsepower and has rear-wheel drive, as noted above. Many EV enthusiasts have noted that the 2024 model sees a fairly significant drop in power compared to the 2023 Model 3. The dual-motor Long Range model gets 425 horsepower, and the Performance version of the Model 3 boasts 455 horsepower. The vehicle has been tuned to get stunning 0 to 60 times, with the Tesla Model 3 Performance making the leap in about 3.1 seconds. The Polestar 2, however, offers better handling on the roads, allowing you to better enjoy its impressive horsepower specs.
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 about 80% of the battery in less than an hour, at Polestar.com or by visiting our dealership to discuss this impressive vehicle with us. We'll also be happy to tell you about the Polestar performance upgrade available for Volvo vehicles. Volvo Cars is the company behind Polestar.
Compare Polestar and Tesla Dimensions
The Polestar 2 is 181.3 inches long, 73.2 inches wide (excluding the mirrors), and 58.2 inches tall (or 58 flat with the Performance Package). 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.
The Tesla Model 3 is 184.8 inches long, 72.8 inches wide, and 56.8 inches tall. Tesla Motors doesn't often share many detailed specs, and this extends to interior dimensions. However, it's been estimated that Model 3 has 42.7 inches of front legroom and 35.2 inches in the second row. The headroom is more cramped for this vehicle's occupants, with just 40.3 inches in the front and 37.7 in the back. The SUV-inspired design offers 19.8 cubic feet of space behind the second row.
The Tesla Model 3 is larger than the Polestar 2 but has comparable dimensions to the sleek all-electric Polestar vehicle. This round of our Polestar vs. Tesla comparison is a wash. The Polestar 2 has a more driver-friendly cabin, however, and better horsepower specs on two out of three models. Overall, the dynamic and luxurious Polestar 2 is clearly the way to go.
FAQ
Is Polestar better than Tesla?
In our view, Polestar is superior to Tesla. The latter takes advantage of media hype to sell products that have continuously come up short compared to their original stated goals. Polestar, on the other hand, takes a more restrained approach to business that does not rely on games, gimmicks, or star power to succeed. We expect Polestar 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. Volvo Cars recently spun off Polestar 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 XC40 Recharge.
When did Polestar come out?
Polestar became an independent automotive manufacturer in June 2017. The company had to spend a few years finalizing the design of the Polestar lineup; now, these cars – the Polestar 1, Polestar 2, and Polestar 3 – have been on the street for several years. We look forward to seeing what else the incredible Polestar lineup will have to offer drivers as the years go by.
1Estimates only. For more information, please visit the official U.S. government source for all fuel economy at www.fueleconomy.gov