Loading comparison
Polestar 4 vs Tesla Model S (2019-2020)
Selected trimLong range Single motor · 2024-26Change trim391 mi · 100 kWh · £59,990
Selected trimLong Range · 2019-20Change trim405 mi · 100 kWh · £82,350
At a glance
In this comparison, Polestar 4 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Tesla Model S stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Polestar 4 if...
- 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 need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Polestar 4 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Value
Polestar
6
Tesla
5.9
Too close to call
Motorway RangePolestar
Polestar
4.9
Tesla
3.7
FamilyPolestar
Polestar
7.6
Tesla
6.4
ChargingPolestar
Polestar
5.8
Tesla
4.9
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Tesla Model S
Long Range
- 215 litres more boot space
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 145 kW more power
- 2.2s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 4Long range Single motor | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £59,990 (better) | £82,350 |
| Official range | 391 miles | 405 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 530 L | 745 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6.2 sec | 4 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Polestar 4
Tesla Model S
Length
Polestar 44,840mm-139mm
Tesla Model S4,979mm
Width
Polestar 42,008mm
Tesla Model S1,964mm-44mm
Height
Polestar 41,556mm
Tesla Model S1,445mm-111mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Polestar 4Long range Single motor | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,840 mm | 4,979 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 2,008 mm | 1,964 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,139 mm (better) | 2,189 mm |
| Height | 1,556 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.6 m (better) | 11.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 392 mm spare | 436 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Polestar 4Long range Single motor | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 530 L | 745 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1665 L (better) | 1645 L |
| Frunk | 15 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 4
- 391 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
- At 4,840 mm, longer than 80% of SUVs we track.
- 2,999 mm wheelbase, longer than 90% of SUVs we track.
Tesla Model S
- 1st-largest boot among saloon EVs in our catalogue at 745 L.
- A 150 L frunk, one of 4 of 233 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 150 L or more.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Polestar 4 Long range Single motor |  Tesla Model S Long Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.84m | 4.98m+139mm |
| Width | 2.01m | 1.96m-44mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.14m | 2.19m+50mm |
| Height | 1.56m | 1.45m-111mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.00m | 2.96m-39mm |
| Ground Clearance | 166mm | 137mm-29mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 530L | 745L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1665L (better) | 1645L |
| Frunk | 15L | 150L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.64m (better) | 11.8m |
| Kerb Weight | 2,265kg | 2,162kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 100kWh | 100kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 391 mi | 405 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW | 250kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £59,990 (better) | £82,350 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | suv | Saloon |
| Available | 2024–2026 | 2019–2020 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Polestar 4Long range Single motor | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 391 miles | 405 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 277 miles | 280 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 178 Wh/km | 176 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 100 kWh (better) | 95 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NCA |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 4Long range Single motor | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.2 sec | 4 sec (better) |
| Power | 200 kW | 345 kW (better) |
| Torque | 343 Nm | 600 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
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 4
Long range Single motor
Tesla Model S
Long Range
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Polestar 4
All 3 videos
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 4Long range Single motor | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £32,498 | £21,600 |
| Average used price | £33,990 | £25,000 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 9 listings (better) | 6 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Broadly flat | 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 4 Long range Single motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant92%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist79%
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 4Long range Single motor | 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 4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model S
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Polestar 4
- £33,6992024Car360View
- £33,7002025EV ExpertsView
Tesla Model S
- £36,9902020EVHEROView
- £48,9952020EVHEROView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model S worth the extra £22,360 over the Polestar 4?
The Tesla Model S costs £22,360 more than the Polestar 4. For that premium it adds 50 kW faster peak rapid charging, 215 litres more boot space and 145 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Polestar 4 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Polestar 4 or the Tesla Model S?
The Polestar 4 is £22,360 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £192 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Polestar 4 comes out roughly £22,360 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Polestar 4 and Tesla Model S like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 277 miles for the Polestar 4 and 280 miles for the Tesla Model S - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Polestar 4 or the Tesla Model S?
The Tesla Model S is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 44 mm narrower than the Polestar 4. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 436 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model S and about 392 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 4.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Polestar 4 or the Tesla Model S?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Polestar 4 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 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 4 and Tesla Model S rank among the best family EVsWhere the Polestar 4 and Tesla Model S rank among long-range EVsWhere the Polestar 4 and Tesla Model S rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Polestar 4 and Tesla Model S rank among the best city EVsWhere the Polestar 4 and Tesla Model S rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Polestar 4 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 4 (2024 on): Single vs Dual Motor, Warranty & What to Pay
A used Polestar 4 buyer’s guide: Single and Dual motor, the no-rear-window design, the short car warranty, huge depreciation, real-world range, what owners report, 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 .