Electric vehicles are in, and it’s obvious, they are here to stay. This is no crazy automotive trend. The demand for EV production continues to rise with no stop in sight. It’s prompted nearly every car manufacturer to dedicate time, money, and brainpower to the production of electric cars. This includes both the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.
While automakers like Toyota continue to impress us with their long-standing commitment to electric-powered vehicles, other manufacturers are more new to the scene. Even Mazda, who has previously shown its disinterest in electric production, has officially launched its first electric car this year.
The switch to electric manufacturing has been a slow and steady process. In the last decade, consumers have become more environmentally aware, taking greater responsibility for their carbon footprint. Although change can’t happen overnight, electric brands like Tesla and newcomer Polestar are inching us closer to a fully electric auto market.
Tesla has undeniably set itself apart from other manufacturers, producing some of the best electric cars on the market with little competition to match. Even during a global pandemic, Tesla underwent a profitable first quarter while many other automakers suffered the consequences of a downturn economy. Its presence is powerful, causing many to question whether a competitor could ever reach such notoriety.
Then came the Polestar 2.
The 2020 release of this Swedish electric vehicle has finally brought some much needed competition to the electric market. With Polestar’s sustainable design backed by Volvo engineering, it’s clear we have a true competitor on our hands. The question is, how do these EVs compare?
Here’s how the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 compare in price, performance, headlight design, and safety. We hope this breakdown will help you decide which electric vehicle is the better competitor.
Price
The Tesla Model 3 made its debut on the car market in 2017 and currently includes three price configurations: the Standard Range Plus at $37,990, Long Range at $46,990, and Performance at $54,990. For the sake of fairness, we’ll juxtapose the Performance level against the 2020 Polestar 2.
The Polestar 2 starts at a base price of $59,900, although the brand intends to introduce a more affordable version in the future. This EV offers a performance package upgrade that includes the following features:
It’s cutting it close in price, so we’ll have to consider this one at draw – seeing that either EV could outdo the other when upgrades are added.
Performance
We’ll keep this short and sweet. We know what makes a good, no great, EV is its performance on the road. Here is how the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 compare:
Tesla Model 3 gets up to 299 miles on a single charge, reaching 60 mph in 3.2 seconds.
Polestar 2 gets up to 275 miles on a single charge. It can accelerate to 62 mph in 5 seconds.
Although the Polestar 2 has powerful acceleration and great handling on the road, its speed and performance does not beat the Model 3.
Headlight design
Since the initial release of the Model 3, Tesla has made some adjustments to increase headlight safety. The revamped LED reflector headlights awarded Tesla top IIHS rating for headlight safety in 2020. These are claimed to be some of the best headlights currently on the market, but some critics have disagreed.
The energy efficient Polestar 2 comes with pixel LED headlights, providing the highest quality illumination. These headlamps are ultra sleek and adjust in brightness when oncoming traffic is approaching.
Since there is some speculation whether the Model 3 really does have the best headlight technology, it’s hard to make a final conclusion. What we do know – both models exceed headlight safety standards, and that’s what really matters.
Safety features
According to NHTSA, the Tesla Model 3 received a 5-star overall rating. With unsurpassed impact protection and low rollover risk, Elon Musk has openly declared the Model 3 as one of the safest vehicles in the world. With such high safety ratings, it’s hard to disagree.
Equipped with inner-side airbags, collision mitigation, driver assistance, and an acoustic vehicle alerting system, the Polestar 2 is proudly one of the best examples of safety on the road. If an accident occurs, the Polestar 2 battery even disconnects to prevent damage or combustion.
It’s true, both these EV’s provide the utmost safety. It’s almost impossible to choose. But all things said and done, the Model 3’s three year history and low probability of injury puts this vehicle at the top of our safety list.
And the winner is…
Don’t be fooled by the fancy features. The proof is in the performance. If you’re investing in an electric vehicle, you want the best of the best. Both Polestar and Tesla are extraordinary brands offering drivers true green technology. But which one is best? The answer is not as objective as you may think.
The universal appeal of Tesla is unequivocal. With charging stations all over the United States and direct-sales buying power, the functionality of owning a Tesla Model 3 makes this EV the best option. Elon Musk and his team of robotic experts will continue to innovate at an exuberant pace, as the Polestar brand will lag shortly behind.
While we appreciate the drivability and safety that Polestar 2 brings to the table, for now, will keep our cards on Tesla. It’s clear the competition has arrived, but so far, we don’t see it making a big impact on the success of the Tesla Model 3.