Tesla Model 3 vs Polestar 2: Which EV should I choose?

It’s time for the ultimate electric showdown – we’re pitting the Tesla Model 3 against the Polestar 2 to see which EV reigns supreme.

Who knew that after all this time it would be an American disrupter and a previously little-known performance brand vying for the title of ‘best electric car’? Not us – but we’re not about to start complaining.

Both cars are very good.

And while the big brands have almost lagged behind on bringing exciting and innovative electric driving to the masses, Tesla and Polestar have forged ahead, throwing out the rulebook and ushering in a bright new future.

The Tesla Model 3 hit the market first.

Though Tesla had already shaken up the electric world with its forward-thinking, big power, big range electric cars, they weren’t a viable option for most people. The Model 3 was different – designed with consumers in mind, it brought the same ethos but at a more affordable cost.

It revolutionised the EV market.

There was no compromising on range or performance – the Model 3 is brimming with both. Designed to take on the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes C-Class, but better (and electric), it’s not a surprise that so many people opt for a Tesla lease.

The Polestar 2 came along later, hitting the roads in 2019.

Polestar – originally the performance division of Volvo, builders of some cracking cars – had big visions for the continuation of the company after it became a standalone brand.

The Polestar 1 forged the way forward, showcasing what Polestar could do. Though it was never meant for the mass market – as a two-door PHEV sports coupe, it was neither affordable nor practical – it grabbed headlines and set tongues wagging.

The Polestar 2 is a completely different beast.

A proper production car, the Polestar 2 rocketed the brand onto the EV main stage. It’s designed to do the heavy lifting in establishing Polestar as a force to be reckoned with – and it’s working.

It’s clear that the Model 3 inspired much of what makes the Polestar 2 so great – performance, range, aesthetics – but it stands up as one of the best electric cars on the market.

The only question left to ask – which one should be your next electric car lease?

Looks

The exterior of the Polestar 2 is stunning: crisp lines, strong road presence, little fluff.

The Tesla’s outside look is a little more polarising, with the glass roof, big headlights, and sleek lines, but there’s no denying it’s still a good-looking car.

When it comes to the internals, both are on the minimalist side, with dashboards dominated by touchscreen infotainment systems.

Tesla takes the crown here, with a 15-inch screen and no physical dials (other than the unmarked scroll wheels on the steering wheel). But the screen is intuitive and easy to read, and the dash doesn’t feel cluttered.

Despite how sparse the cabin is, it still feels welcoming, and the interior is spacious and comfortable.

The panoramic roof is a real showstopper, with an endless view out through the roof for anyone sitting in the back. It’s particularly lovely at night if you’re driving down a dark road, and you can star gaze comfortably without ever having to leave the vehicle.

The clean Scandi design of the Polestar is also pretty minimalist, but it feels fresh and inviting, with a logical infotainment system, vegan leather detailing, and a few physical dials leftover from older Volvo models.

It’s cosy enough that it’s the sort of car you’d want to be in when it’s lashing it down outside on a cold evening, but the high roofline means it’s spacious enough to cart five adults about in.

There’s an air of common sense about the Polestar 2 – though it’s clearly been designed with one eye firmly on Tesla, it’s a sensible car, designed to work well without the need for extra features.

Technology

The name ‘Tesla’ is nearly synonymous with the phrase ‘self-driving’ at this point. With its futuristic ambitions splashed all over the web, Tesla’s actual self-driving system is a little less advanced than the picture in your head.

Forget kicking back and watching TV while your car takes you to your destination with little input – the standard Autopilot system has adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian-avoidance steering, and keeps the car a set distance away from the one in front.

Polestar’s Pilot system does much the same thing, and both are as good as each other.

Tesla does take it one step further (for an extra cost) with the optional Full Self-Driving Capability – but this still won’t drive your car for you. At least, not yet.

Currently, it’ll make lane changes and navigate through major motorway intersections. It can also Summon your car for you, if you don’t fancy getting your feet wet if it’s raining when you leave the shops, provided you’re within 200ft. Though this might be more useful in spacious American suburbs than the average cramped UK high street.

But Tesla has big plans for this technology, and if you want in on the action early, the Tesla Model 3 is the car for you.

And when it comes to internal technology, the Tesla Model 3 infotainment system is one of the best on the market.

You’ll need to spend some time getting used to the layout and shortcuts, but when you’ve got it set up just so, it’s one of the most intuitive systems around. Despite everything being controlled via the screen, including climate control, it doesn’t feel cluttered, and you don’t have to click through reams and reams of menus.

Tesla have also hidden plenty of ‘Easter eggs’ – modes that have no bearing on the use of the car but are good fun, like being able to turn the map into ‘Santa’ mode (your car is the sleigh, the other road users are reindeer, and the road itself is a rainbow).

Polestar’s infotainment is also excellent. Developed in conjunction with Google, it’s the first car to use GoogleOS, giving it one of the most smartphone-esque displays around. It uses the ‘Hey Google’ voice assistant, allows you to sign in to your Google account to personalise your settings, log in to your Spotify, and Google Maps is fully integrated.

You can also download your own apps via the Play Store, so if Waze or Apple Music are more up your street, you’ll be able to access them directly through the screen.

In front of the driver, there’s a separate display that can be configured with a widescreen map, along with your speed and range data.

Practicality

If you’re looking for a Tesla Model 3, you’re probably not looking for a car that can handle big trips to the tip.

But it is surprisingly practical, with a 425L boot and space in the rear for three adults – though if all your friends are over 6ft, they might struggle on long journeys. But a flat rear floor means there’ll be plenty of room for feet, without any of the normal arguments.

The Polestar 2 in comparison – though the boot is ostensibly 20L smaller – feels more practical.

There’s plenty of space for five adults, with a higher roofline and airy feel to the cabin making it comfortable enough for even longer journeys.

The hatchback shape lends itself to a bigger boot opening compared to the Model 3’s saloon shape, and it comes with a load divider, straps, hooks, and an underfloor cubby, so you can safely secure your weekly shop without it clinking back and forth.

Both add in a front boot (or ‘froot’, if you will) where the combustion engine would have been, which – while not on the large side – does provide adequate space to stow away the charging cables or a bag or two.

When it comes to charging, Tesla’s Supercharger network is phenomenal. With the ability to use the 100kW chargers, you’ll find the Model 3 charging time is incredibly speedy. Though you’ll mostly charge at home with a conventional wall box, being able to use the Supercharger network on longer journeys is brilliant.

And, if you lease your Tesla or Polestar through us, you'll also get £30 off the cost of a British Gas Hive charger, so you can make the most of affordable at-home charging, rather than having to rely on the premium price of on the road public chargers. 

Speaking of long journeys – technology is now so advanced that your Tesla will let you know when to stop for maximum efficiency, which chargers are free, and how long you’ll be there. But that’s not all – there’s also a variety of features built into the Tesla to keep you entertained while you wait, including Netflix, video games, and even fart mode.

Drive

If you want your passenger to feel like they’re about to be rocketed through the windscreen, opt for the Tesla with its attention-grabbing 0-60mph stats. If you want something a little more comfortable to drive, the Polestar 2 is for you.

It isn’t hard to see why the Tesla is so addictive to drive though.

If you keep the powertrain in chill mode, it’ll traipse around town with ease. But nudge the 3 into Sport mode and a mere tap on the accelerator will have you sprinting off the start line.

Both do a fine job though – silent cruise, smooth acceleration, effortless drive.

If it’s range that’s top of your wishlist, opt for the Tesla Model 3 AWD Long Range, with its claimed 360-mile range. Want to be blown away by the performance? The Model 3 Performance shaves a few miles off the claimed range but can outrun a Lamborghini Huracan.

Though the Polestar 2 doesn’t claim the same sort of headlines as the Model 3, it’s still a quick car, and the Long Range Single Motor model offers a range of around 330 miles.

And the simplicity of the Polestar 2 is a real joy: climb in, prod the brake, and the car is alive and ready to set off – no key required. The acceleration is slightly less violent too. It feels more sensible, but it’s still ready to play, and benefits from the same instant torque and quick acceleration.

The Polestar 2 is as easy to drive as it is to start, rolling through the corners and tackling both stop-start town driving and long motorways with ease. There’s no real motor whine at great speed, though there is a little wind flutter around the door mirrors.

But it’s a comfy place to spend a good amount of time, and as the charging networks grow across the UK, long journeys will only get easier.

Verdict

In a world where electric will come to dominate the market, Polestar and Tesla offer something quick, efficient, and good fun.

But if we’re being completely frank – and we do love both – the Tesla just about eases its way into the top spot. It’s easy to drive, the systems are intuitive, the range is phenomenal and, to top it all off, the Tesla grants you access to the Supercharger network with its unmatched speeds. 

And for your next Tesla business lease, the Model 3 is one of the best options out there, with its low rates of Benefit-in-Kind tax, exemption from congestion charges, and an unparalleled sense of fun.

Though should the Supercharger network be opened to all electric cars – and Elon Musk has said that it will – then the Polestar 2 will become an even more competitive option than it already is, with its unmatched practicality and feeling of ‘hygge’.

Though truthfully, you can’t go wrong with either.