Reviews are coming for Volvo's sister brand Polestar 2 electric car and people finally think we have a real competitor Tesla Model 3 on our hands. Make no mistake, the Polestar 2 is designed to compete with the Tesla Model 3 in every aspect. I know it, the engineers at Polestar know it, and even the critics know it.
That's why here's everything you need to know about Polestar 2. We're going to explore exactly how Polestar 2 is better than the Tesla Model 3 and how it's worse. We will compare the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and the Polestar 2 with a 78 kWh battery.
The video review was produced by Matt watson from the YouTube channel Carwow.
Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model 3: pros and cons explained
Real-world electric powertrain, acceleration and battery lineup
Polestar 2 uses a dual engine configuration and is powered by a 78 kWh battery. The Polestar 2's claimed battery life is around 292 miles, but in reality you'll get an actual saving of 222 miles, with a mix of city and highway driving. Polestar 2 produces 408 HP and 660 Nm of torque. Volvo claims it has a 0-100 km / h time of 4.7 seconds, but in actual tests that figure is 4.4 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range uses a 75 kWh battery that provides a range of 322 miles. In terms of real-world battery life, Tesla obviously beats the Polestar 2. The Model 3 LR offers around 290 to 300 miles of actual fuel economy per charge. In terms of performance, the Model 3 Long Range has an official 0-60 timing of 4.6 seconds. That figure drops to 4.4 seconds in actual testing, but it does mean Polestar 2 is faster than the Tesla Model 3 Long Range in a 0-100 km / h run.
Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model 3: interior and exterior build quality compared
The sole purpose of a car's appearance is that it is completely subjective. Likewise, you may like or dislike the design of the Tesla Model 3 or the Polestar 2. Personally, I like them both. Tesla Model 3 is a sedan but the Polestar 2 is a bit taller and more robust. Its design falls somewhere between a sedan and a compact utility vehicle or CUV. Nonetheless, both cars look great.
Inside though, that's a different story. The Polestar 2 arguably has a better fit and finish than a Tesla Model 3. It has a minimalist interior, just like the Tesla, but every corner is filled with essentials. The gear selector placed between the two seats plays an important role in filling the cockpit.
The digital screen offered on Polestar 2 is a full-fledged Android tablet. It runs on AndroidOS instead of Android Auto and has access to the Play Store with thousands of apps. Google Assistant is very functional in Polestar 2 and follows commands to manage the elements of the infotainment system. The digital assistant can also control several on-board functions such as the management of air conditioning, heating or cooling of the seats, etc. Provided you know the correct voice command.
The exterior is a link between the two cars. In terms of interior build quality, Polestar 2 is the winner and when you compare infotainment it's a tie again.
Handling and driving performance
Before we dive into handling, here are a few things to know about both cars. The Polestar 2 has more height and ground clearance than the Tesla Model 3 Long Range. It also has more weight than the 3 LR model. The driving of both cars is incredibly stable. But going through potholes, it's the Tesla Model 3 LR that is softer than the Polestar 2.
To compensate for the increased ride height, Polestar 2 has a stiffer suspension setup. This setup helps the car grip the road well and the rigid shock absorber keeps the ride height high despite the heavy weight of the vehicle. So, in conclusion, you get a car with great handling which offers a slightly higher seating position.
However, Tesla offers just as better handling, along with lavish ride quality. Therefore, Tesla Model 3 LR wins in terms of handling.
Convenience and space
Polestar 2 has a smaller boot but is easier to take on and take off. The Tesla Model 3 has better headroom in the backseat compared to the Polestar 2. Although the Polestar 2 has autonomous driving features, they are not as good as the Tesla autopilot. The Model 3's sensors monitor the surroundings much better than the Polestar 2. The Model 3's autopilot navigation screen is simply unbeatable. Frameless mirrors are another really cool feature of the Polestar 2. In normal cars only the side mirrors are electronically adjustable, while in Polestar 2 the whole housing can be moved in any direction.
Polestar 2 has teamed up with a company called on to provide fast charging support with speeds of up to 50 kW. But it's nowhere near as good as the Tesla Supercharger network, with charging speeds of up to 250 kW.
Which one should you consider?
The Tesla Model 3 is still a better car and no amount of vegan leather can change that. You can go with Polestar 2 if you want something refreshing. It looks like a Volvo sedan, which means it looks sophisticated and enjoys a good presence on the road. But if you want to own one electric car for all your needs, buying a Tesla Model 3 is still the best option.
