The Tesla Mannequin Three has lengthy been a go-to for individuals who desire a moderately priced EV that’s nonetheless capable of provide essential perks like lengthy vary. However that doesn’t imply there isn’t competitors. Actually, through the years quite a lot of nice electrical sedans have popped up, just like the Polestar 2.
Polestar itself has developed fairly a fame for constructing high-quality automobiles. It is sensible. Whereas Polestar itself is a comparatively new firm, it’s owned by Volvo and at this level, shares many design parts with Volvo automobiles.
However how does the all-electric Polestar 2 evaluate with the Tesla Mannequin 3? And which one must you purchase? Right here’s a glance.
Design
The very first thing to note about these two automobiles is their design — particularly due to the truth that they provide fairly totally different appears. The Tesla Mannequin Three appears much like different Tesla automobiles — it has flush door handles, is available in the identical colours, and has a curved roofline. It’s nonetheless a glossy and modern-looking automotive, although the general design is growing old slightly.
The Polestar 2 is a fairly sweet-looking automotive too, although. It’s a lot blockier than the Mannequin 3, providing extra angles and straight strains than the Mannequin 3. It additionally has many design parts from different trendy Volvo automobiles, just like the squared-off gentle bar alongside the again and the slim entrance headlights. It’s obtainable in six colours, they usually’re slightly extra muted than the Mannequin 3’s palette.
Usually talking, each automobiles look glossy and trendy. Finally, design preferences are private — there’s no goal winner.
Winner: Tie
Inside and tech
The inside design of the automobiles is fairly totally different too. As on the skin, the Mannequin Three continues to prioritize minimalism on the within, with few controls that haven’t been moved to the show. The show itself is an enormous 15.Four inches, and it’s the place you’ll management most facets of the automotive, from the local weather to the maps to the audio playback. The automotive options fake leather-based upholstery, which is available in all black or black and white.
The inside of the Polestar 2 is slightly busier, with extra bodily controls that forestall the necessity to must dig by settings. There’s nonetheless an enormous display screen on the entrance although — this one vertically aligned and loaded with Google’s Android Automotive infotainment system. That’s coupled with a digital instrument cluster, not like the Mannequin 3.
The Polestar 2 additionally has CarPlay and Android Auto, that means that you just gained’t have to stay with the Android Automotive infotainment constructed into the automotive should you don’t need to. The Mannequin Three doesn’t assist CarPlay or Android Auto — but it surely does have among the many greatest software program experiences in a automotive on the market proper now.
Once more, this can be a little subjective. Some want the minimalistic strategy, whereas others need fast entry to bodily controls.
Winner: Tie
Efficiency
Each the Mannequin Three and the Polestar 2 profit from that zippy electrical automotive pep, however they don’t fairly carry out the identical.
The Tesla Mannequin Three is available in three variants — an ordinary mannequin, which is a rear-wheel drive mannequin, a Lengthy Vary mannequin, which is all-wheel drive, and a Efficiency mannequin, which can also be all-wheel drive. On the low finish, the usual mannequin has a high pace of 140 miles per hour and might attain 60mph in 5.eight seconds. That’s not gradual — however improve to the Efficiency mannequin and also you’ll get to hurry in solely 3.1 seconds. That makes the Mannequin Three one of many quickest automobiles on the highway, when it comes to acceleration.
The Polestar Three isn’t gradual both, but it surely doesn’t attain the heights of the Mannequin 3. The Polestar 2 is on the market in two variants — a long-range single-motor mannequin in rear-wheel-drive, and a long-range dual-motor variant with all-wheel-drive. The slower mannequin, which is the single-motor mannequin, reaches 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, whereas the dual-motor mannequin will get to hurry in 4.Three seconds. Once more, fairly quick — however nowhere close to as quick because the Mannequin Three Efficiency.
Each automobiles are fast, however the Mannequin Three is a transparent winner right here.
Winner: Tesla Mannequin 3
Vary and charging
Vary is likely one of the most essential components of an electrical automotive, and it’s an space the place the automobiles are fairly intently matched.
The usual Mannequin Three will get 272 miles of vary, whereas the Lengthy Vary mannequin steps that as much as a formidable 333 miles. The Efficiency mannequin sits at 315 miles. All of them can cost at 250kW, which permits them to realize 200 miles in round 15 minutes.
The Polestar 2 is a fairly strong performer within the vary division too. Curiously, the cheaper mannequin will get higher vary. That’s the single-motor variant, which will get 320 miles of vary. The twin-motor mannequin sits at 276 miles. Sadly, the Polestar 2 solely costs at a pace of 150kW, which can get it from 10% to 80% cost in 35 minutes.
The Mannequin 3’s vary is barely barely larger than the Polestar 2, however its quicker charging pace offers it the win right here.
Winner: Tesla Mannequin 3
Pricing and availability
Each the Tesla Mannequin Three and the Polestar 2 can be found now, and you may get them each readily.
However relying on the mannequin you go for, the quantity you pay might be slightly totally different. The Tesla Mannequin Three begins at $41,240 for the usual mannequin and ranges as much as $54.240 for the Efficiency mannequin. The Polestar 2, alternatively, begins at a a lot larger $48,900 for the single-motor variant, ranging as much as $54,300 for the dual-motor mannequin.
The Mannequin Three is the clear winner.
Winner: Tesla Mannequin 3
General winner: Tesla Mannequin 3
The Polestar 2 is a superb automotive, however finally it simply can’t compete with the Mannequin 3, in most conditions. The Tesla Mannequin Three has quicker acceleration, a barely longer vary, and a quicker charging pace — all for a less expensive value. If you happen to’re in search of an incredible electrical sedan, the Mannequin Three continues to be most likely the higher choice for many patrons.
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