Both Polestar and Tesla are focused on designing luxury cars and the Polestar 2 is a direct competitor to the mid-size Tesla Model 3 sedan. Polestar is set to release at least three additional models in the upcoming years which should rival both the Tesla Model S and the Tesla Model Y.
Between the two, Polestar offers better-made cars that are packed with higher-end materials. Tesla on the other hand leads the charts as far as driver excitement and technology are concerned. Another benefit Tesla has is the ability to use Tesla’s advanced network of superchargers.
All in all, Polestar certainly does make cars that are even better than most Tesla Models, but Tesla is better as far as value, range, charging, popularity and technology are concerned. If the area you live in benefits from many rapid chargers, then the charging and range differences are not as exaggerated.
On the other hand, if you are unable to garage charge your car or the area you live in does not offer too many dependable and easily accessible chargers, then Tesla is a far better choice. Either way, quality-wise Polestar is certainly as good as Tesla if not even better while Tesla is a more reasonable proposition in most cases.
Polestar – The brand and models
Polestar is still a newcomer brand that only has a single true serial production model on sale, and that’s the Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 starts at around $45,900 for the entry-level model without any options, but the realistic on-road price you are going to pay for the Polestar 2 is anywhere between $50k and $60k.
For such a price tag, the Polestar 2 does not offer class-leading qualities as far as range is concerned because the long-range Polestar 2 can only do about 220-270 miles on a full charge at the very best of times. The maximum charger output the Polestar 2 can take is around 140kW which means that you can charge the Polestar 2 from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
All in all, Polestar makes luxury cars with great build quality and lots of quality materials. Polestar does share lots of parts with Volvo which means that there is a distinct similarity between the two both inside and out. Maintenance and reliability should also be a bit better than Tesla because Tesla offers under-average reliability.
All in all, Polestar does seem like an exciting new brand that can definitely rival Tesla for quality, design, comfort, safety, and driving experience.
Tesla – The brand and models
Tesla is now one of the most popular car brands on the planet which also means that it is firmly the benchmark EV brand. Tesla currently offers the Model S, the Model 3, and the Model Y and all three of these are leading the EV charts for many reasons.
The Tesla Model 3 is arguably the best EV on the market right now because it starts close to $40k and it offers more range and power than the Polestar 2. The Tesla Model S Plaid is the second-fastest car on the planet, only trailing behind the multi-million dollar Croatian Rimac Nevera Hypercar.
Lastly, the Model Y is the latest Tesla model which more or less occupies the same market position as the Model 3. However, the Model Y does offer a slightly raised driving position and considerably more space for the rear passengers.
Either way, Tesla is mostly known for its automated driving and the ability to use the Tesla Supercharger network. Tesla is better than Polestar when it comes to value, range, desirability, technology, and a more dynamic drive.
Are you considering a Tesla? Tesla lease vs buy
Best EVs on the planet
Both Tesla and Polestar make great EVs, but there are many brands out there that make arguably better EVs such as Porsche, Mercedes, Lucid, Rivian, and Audi. The Porsche Taycan Turbo S is the most exciting sports EV on the market and is followed closely by the Audi e-Tron RS GT.
The Mercedes Benz EQS and the Lucid Air Dream are the two most luxurious and most comfortable EVs on the planet. Rivian has just come out with two SUV models which seem like the best electric SUVs you can buy right now.
All in all, the world of electric cars is constantly being bombarded with new models and it is likely going to stay that way for a long time to come.
FAQ Section
Why should I buy a Tesla over a Polestar?
You should buy a Tesla over a Polestar if you want to maximize your EV range and enjoy the ability to use Tesla’s Supercharger network. Tesla currently offers more models so you can satisfy your needs more easily depending on what type of car you desire the most.
Furthermore, Tesla offers more performance-oriented cars and they also benefit from superior autonomous driving technologies. Tesla cars are also more desirable and they tend to gather more interest as far as the 2nd hand market is concerned.
Why should I buy a Polestar over a Tesla?
You should consider buying a Polestar over a Tesla if you are interested in something a bit more different and more under the radar. Given the fact that Polestar is heavily backed by Volvo, you can be sure that Polestar cars are comfortable, spacious, and safe all around.
You should also opt for a Polestar over a Tesla if you want a more quality-made product that offers better exterior and interior design. Polestar interiors are more sensibly laid out and they are not as barebone as the ones found in most Tesla models.
Is Tesla more efficient than Polestar?
Tesla is indeed more efficient than Polestar because Tesla manages to offer more range out of a smaller battery. The top-of-the-line Polestar 2 comes with a 78 kWh battery while the entry-level Tesla Model 3 comes with a 60 kWh battery.
Polestar says that the 78kWh battery model can do 270 miles between charges while most real-world tests have shown that the Polestar is closer to 200 miles than it is to 270 miles of range. On the other hand, the entry-level 60kWh Tesla can supposedly do 267 miles on a full charge, but it actually does 250 miles which is far better than the Polestar 2.
