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Polestar 2 (2020-2023) vs Tesla Model 3
Selected trimLong range Dual motor 78 kWh · 2020-23Change trim303 mi · 78 kWh · Not available
Selected trimRWDChange trim332 mi · 60 kWh · £37,990
At a glance
Overview
The Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 are both premium electric saloons, but they take different routes to the same buyer. The Model 3 is cheaper, more efficient and backed by the Supercharger network; the Polestar 2 offers a more conventional, button-friendly interior and understated Scandinavian design. This is software-led minimalism against a more familiar premium-car feel.
Best suited to:Company carFirst EVPremium
In this comparison, Polestar 2 leads on charging speed, while the Tesla Model 3 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Polestar 2 (2020-2023) if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Tesla Model 3 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model 3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueTesla
Polestar
0
Tesla
6.4
Motorway RangeTesla
Polestar
4.4
Tesla
5.5
FamilyTesla
Polestar
5.8
Tesla
7.1
ChargingPolestar
Polestar
3.5
Tesla
2.3
Cost Per MileTesla
Polestar
4.2
Tesla
8.8
City Driving
Polestar
4.3
Tesla
4
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Polestar 2
Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
- 92 kW more power
- 1.5s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1500 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not available | £37,990 |
| Official range | 303 miles | 332 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 405 L | 682 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 4.7 sec (better) | 6.2 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Polestar 2
Tesla Model 3
Length
Polestar 24,606mm-115mm
Tesla Model 34,721mm
Width
Polestar 21,859mm-74mm
Tesla Model 31,933mm
Height
Polestar 21,479mm
Tesla Model 31,440mm-39mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,606 mm | 4,721 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,859 mm (better) | 1,933 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,985 mm (better) | 2,088 mm |
| Height | 1,479 mm | 1,440 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.5 m (better) | 11.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 541 mm spare (better) | 467 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 682 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1097 L | Not available |
| Frunk | 35 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,500 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Polestar 2
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Tesla Model 3
- 2nd-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 682 L.
- At 4,721 mm, shorter than 90% of saloon EVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 130 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of saloon EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |  Tesla Model 3 RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.61m | 4.72m+115mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.93m+74mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | 2.09m+103mm |
| Height | 1.48m | 1.44m-39mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.73m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | 137mm-14mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 682L* (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1097L | Not available |
| Frunk | 35L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.5m (better) | 11.6m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,772kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 78kWh (better) | 60kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 303 mi | 332 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 175kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £37,990 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2020–2023 | 2024+ |
* Tesla Model 3: Tesla publishes 682 L as total cargo volume (boot + frunk, measured to roof) — not directly comparable to standard VDA figures used by other brands.
* Tesla Model 3: Not published by Tesla; verified from multiple independent sources.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 303 miles | 332 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 253 miles (better) | 229 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 175 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 130 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 75 kWh (better) | 57.5 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 4.7 sec (better) | 6.2 sec |
| Power | 300 kW (better) | 208 kW |
| Torque | 660 Nm (better) | 340 Nm |
| Drivetrain | AWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Polestar 2
Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Tesla Model 3
RWD
8.5/10
average across 6 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Electrifying.com9/10
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,500 | £26,699 |
| Average used price | £21,000 | £30,299 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 46 listings | 91 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 1.8% over ~6 months | Broadly flat |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist83%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model 3 RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users89%
Safety Assist87%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Tesla Model 3RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software, seat comfort & space. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Polestar 2
Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
Owners love
- Excellent build quality with solid construction, tight panel gaps, and no rattles despite compact dimensions
- Impressive acceleration and performance with 402hp dual motors (0-62mph in 4.7 seconds) offering engaging driving dynamics
- Strong real-world range of 220-250 miles on mixed driving with negligible battery degradation over time
Watch out for
- Range significantly reduces in cold weather to 150-170 miles, making winter motorway driving challenging
- Rear seating very cramped with high door card tops restricting headroom for taller passengers and limiting child seat placement
- Firm suspension setup trades comfort for precision, causing harshness over poor road surfaces and expansion joints
Owner tips
- Home charging with dedicated off-peak tariff like Octopus Go is essential to realize 5p-per-mile running cost advantage
- Cap charging at 90% and monitor 12V battery health regularly to maximize battery longevity and avoid discharge issues
Tesla Model 3
RWD
Owners love
- Excellent driving dynamics with responsive steering, handling, and smooth one-pedal regenerative braking
- Superior touchscreen interface that is intuitive, responsive, and readable in sunlight
- Growing Supercharger network offers reliable charging infrastructure with competitive pricing
Watch out for
- Removal of physical stalks for wipers and turn signals creates safety concerns and requires constant touchscreen interaction while driving
- Automatic windshield wipers frequently malfunction in light rain and drizzle due to camera-based Tesla Vision system
- Unreliable indicator stalk (on older models with stalks) frequently malfunctions or doesn't respond consistently
Owner tips
- Test drive the specific model configuration before ordering to experience controls, door handles, and touchscreen usability in real driving conditions
- Use home charging with EV-specific energy tariffs to maximize cost savings; home charging is significantly cheaper than public chargers
Buying options
Get a quote
Polestar 2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Polestar 2
- £22,1002020EV ExpertsView
Tesla Model 3
- £33,8992024Car360View
- £32,6462025Car360View
- £30,2992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
What are the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 253 miles for the Polestar 2 and 229 miles for the Tesla Model 3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Polestar 2 goes roughly 24 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Polestar 2 or the Tesla Model 3?
The Polestar 2 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 74 mm narrower than the Tesla Model 3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 541 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 2 and about 467 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model 3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Polestar 2 or the Tesla Model 3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Polestar 2 and 92% for the Tesla Model 3. That gives the Tesla Model 3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Tesla Model 3's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Polestar 2's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Polestar 2 comparisons
More Tesla Model 3 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 rank among long-range EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Polestar 2 (2020-2023): Which Version, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used Polestar 2 buyer’s guide: Standard range vs Long range Single motor vs Dual motor, the Plus Pack heat pump, warranty left, recalls, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBest Value EVs in the UK: Composite Score Across Range, Battery, Charging & Space
We score every EV on range per £1k, kWh per £1k, charging speed per £1k, boot per £1k, safety, and warranty - revealing the best overall value at every price point.
RankingEVs with 300+ Mile Range UK 2026
Every electric car with 300+ miles of WLTP range, ranked by real-world motorway range, charging speed, and value. The longest-range EVs available in the UK.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .