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Polestar 2 (2020-2023) vs Tesla Model S (2019-2020)
Selected trimLong range Dual motor 78 kWh · 2020-23Change trim303 mi · 78 kWh · Not available
Selected trimLong Range · 2019-20Change trim405 mi · 100 kWh · £82,350
At a glance
In this comparison, Polestar 2 leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving, while the Tesla Model S leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Polestar 2 (2020-2023) if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2.2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Tesla Model S (2019-2020) if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model S leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueTesla
Polestar
0
Tesla
5.9
Motorway RangePolestar
Polestar
4.4
Tesla
3.7
FamilyTesla
Polestar
5.8
Tesla
6.4
ChargingTesla
Polestar
3.5
Tesla
4.9
Cost Per MilePolestar
Polestar
4.2
Tesla
2.3
City DrivingPolestar
Polestar
4.3
Tesla
1.6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Tesla Model S
Long Range
- 102 miles more WLTP range
- 340 litres more boot space
- 100 kW faster rapid charging
- 45 kW more power
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not available | £82,350 |
| Official range | 303 miles | 405 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 405 L | 745 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 4.7 sec | 4 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
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Polestar 2
Tesla Model S
Length
Polestar 24,606mm-373mm
Tesla Model S4,979mm
Width
Polestar 21,859mm-105mm
Tesla Model S1,964mm
Height
Polestar 21,479mm
Tesla Model S1,445mm-34mm
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 SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,606 mm | 4,979 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,859 mm (better) | 1,964 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,985 mm (better) | 2,189 mm |
| Height | 1,479 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.5 m (better) | 11.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 541 mm spare (better) | 436 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 SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 405 L | 745 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1097 L | 1645 L (better) |
| Frunk | 35 L | 150 L (better) |
| 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 S
- 1st-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 745 L.
- A 150 L frunk, one of 4 of 234 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 150 L or more.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |  Tesla Model S Long Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.61m | 4.98m+373mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.96m+105mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | 2.19m+204mm |
| Height | 1.48m | 1.45m-34mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.73m | 2.96m+225mm |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | 137mm-14mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 405L | 745L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1097L | 1645L (better) |
| Frunk | 35L | 150L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.5m (better) | 11.8m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,162kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 78kWh | 100kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 303 mi | 405 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW | 250kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £82,350 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2020–2023 | 2019–2020 |
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 SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 303 miles | 405 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 253 miles | 280 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 176 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 75 kWh | 95 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NCA |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
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 SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 4.7 sec | 4 sec (better) |
| Power | 300 kW | 345 kW (better) |
| Torque | 660 Nm (better) | 600 Nm |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD |
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 SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £17,500 | £21,600 |
| Average used price | £21,000 | £25,000 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 46 listings (better) | 6 listings |
| 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 S Long Range
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant91%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist98%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 240,000 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
Polestar 2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model S
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Polestar 2
- £22,1002020EV ExpertsView
Tesla Model S
- £36,9902020EVHEROView
- £48,9952020EVHEROView
Frequently asked questions
What are the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model S like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 253 miles for the Polestar 2 and 280 miles for the Tesla Model S - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Tesla Model S goes roughly 27 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Polestar 2 or the Tesla Model S?
The Polestar 2 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 105 mm narrower than the Tesla Model S. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 541 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 2 and about 436 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model S. The Polestar 2 also turns in a 0.3 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Polestar 2 or the Tesla Model S?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Polestar 2 and 84% for the Tesla Model S. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. 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 S 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 S rank among the best family EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model S rank among long-range EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model S rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model S rank among the best city EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model S rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model S rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
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.
GuideBuying a Used Tesla Model S (2014-2020): Versions, Warranty, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Tesla Model S buyer’s guide: 85 to 100D, Long Range and Performance explained, which cars have lost the battery warranty, the media unit recall, free Supercharging, owner-reported repairs, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .