Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model 3 – which is best?

However, both of these early EV pioneers have now been on sale for a few years, receiving a series of updates to keep them competitive. Are they still worth your money in 2025? And, if so, which should you pick?

We'll compare the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 side-by-side, to help you choose your favourite. Don't forget, both are available as great-value used cars from Motorpoint.

Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model 3 compared

Styling and design

Considering these are both vaguely saloon-shaped five-seaters, neither car has copied the other's homework. The Polestar has squarer styling and a slightly more monolithic image, with the firm's signature rectangular grille and 'Thor's hammer' headlights that hint at the car's Volvo-based origins. Parked next to the Tesla, the Polestar seems more upright, partly thanks to the styling, but mainly because the car has a taller, SUV-like ride height despite its traditional 'three-box' saloon silhouette.

Tesla's styling language is instantly familiar now. So, despite the Model 3 receiving a restyle for its 2024 'Highland' update, its aerodynamic body, curved roofline and bluff rear end mean it's instantly recognisable as a Tesla. The main changes are the Model 3's new slimline headlights and sharp brakelight units, which help pull the design into the 2020s. Also new for the updated Model 3 is a more aggressive visual package for the range-topping Performance model, which gets reshaped bumpers and arch-filling alloy wheels.

Size-wise, the Polestar is a little shorter, measuring in at 4,606mm to the Tesla's 4,720mm. The Polestar is a touch wider at 1,859mm to the Tesla's 1,850mm and, as highlighted, comes in a little taller, measuring 1,479mm against 1,441mm for the Tesla. For context, all of these figures come within a few millimetres of a BMW 3 Series.

Interior and practicality

Minimalism is the word of the day in both cars' interiors. Technically, the Polestar has more actual controls, with a physical gear selector and hard controls for the volume, defoggers and hazard lights, although it's still stripped back compared to the average car. You won't find any knobs or buttons to adjust the climate control, to select your driving mode or jump between infotainment functions. Instead, everything's handled by the central portrait infotainment system which, despite its admirably simplified fonts and graphics, still takes a few minutes to get your head around when trying out a new function. Material quality is excellent at least, with plush materials used throughout and the option of vegan-friendly interior trim.

Somehow, there's even less going on in the Model 3 – especially since the big refresh that saw it ditch its gear selector, wiper and indicator stalks. Swapping between park, reverse and drive can be done using the Model 3's 'predictive' gear selection system but, if that sounds too iRobot to you, you can either swipe to make your intended gear selection on the touchscreen, or use the hidden PRND touch panel in the roof. The indicators are now touch-sensitive buttons on the left steering wheel spoke – a controversial decision that makes them less intuitive to use, and one Tesla's since walked back with the updated 'Juniper' Model Y. Build quality issues from early Model 3s are mostly addressed on newer cars, although the materials fall fractionally short of the Polestar.

Both cars have enough practicality for a family of four and all their stuff, but the Model 3 remains the more spacious of the two. Space up front is fairly comparable, but you'll find more legroom in the Tesla's rear seats, plus a spot more headroom. That said, accessing the Polestar is a little easier as its taller ride height means you don't need to drop as far into your seat. The Polestar's 405-litre boot trails the 425-litre Tesla but might be more useful for some buyers as it has a hatchback style boot lid compared to the Tesla's smaller saloon-style opening. Both cars also have 'frunks' under the bonnet – ideal for charging cable storage – with the Tesla's being larger.

Range and performance

If you're only concerned about range, the Tesla takes the top spot. Equip your Model 3 with the Long Range battery and single rear motor, and the claimed figure stands at 436 miles to a charge, against 408 miles for the longest-range Polestar. What's more, this Model 3 version retails for just under £45,000 compared to the Polestar's roughly £49,000 price. It's quicker too, dashing from 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds, while the Polestar – measuring from 0-62mph – takes 5.9 seconds.

Looking to entry-level models, the Polestar remains more expensive at £45,000 but has a longer 343-mile range, against the £40,000 Tesla's 318-mile figure. Performance is likely to be a lot closer too, with Polestar quoting 6.2 seconds for the 0-62mph run, against Tesla's advertised 5.8-second 0-60mph time. These comparisons are useful but, fundamentally, most Polestar 2 and Model 3 owners will find they have plenty of range and performance for all their driving needs.

There isn't a slow car in either lineup but, if you want to go really fast, the Tesla again takes the honours. Shell out £60,000 for a Model 3 Performance and this practical family EV will launch from 0-60mph in a ludicrous 2.9 seconds – or returning a 328-mile range if you can resist all that power. As for the Polestar, you'll want the £58,000 dual-motor model with optional Performance pack, which achieves a still-impressive four-second 0-62mph dash, with a 352-mile range.

Charging is pretty rapid whichever car you pick. The Polestar's 205kW max charge rate is a little behind the Tesla's 250kW figure, but its 10-80% fast-charge time stands at 28 minutes – just one minute longer than the Model 3. It's very rare that EV drivers need to go all the way from 0-100% charge, but both cars with their largest 82kWh battery packs will take just shy of 12 hours to do so from a 7kW home charger. Go for the smaller battery options – 70kWh for the Polestar and 57.5kWh for the Tesla – and the 7kW charge time will be a bit quicker.

Driving

Considering even the slowest Polestar 2 can still keep up with most hot hatches, it doesn't feel like it's been set up for sporty driving. There's a softness to the car's suspension that means the front end doesn't feel particularly pointy, and won't reward you for trying to tuck the car onto a tighter line. What you lose in athleticism, however, you gain in comfort, with the Polestar working overtime to soften bumps and tune out vibrations from rough roads.

Pre-facelift Model 3s had a firm ride that slightly undermined their otherwise easy driving experience. New frequency selective dampers arrived with the 2024 update that substantially lessened harshness, although they didn't change the overall firm character. The result is a car that's reactive and has rock-solid body control, making it surprisingly fun on a twisty road. Between the handling and the instant salvo of power under your right foot, any gap in traffic can be yours as soon as thinking about it.

We reckon the distinction is pretty clear. The Polestar makes life easy from the moment you step inside to the moment you arrive at your destination. That makes it the calmer car to commute in everyday, demanding very little mental or physical effort from the driver. Meanwhile, the Tesla is still pretty easy to get on with, if a little less cushioned than the Polestar – but it's the more entertaining car to drive on the right road.

Value and reliability

As covered above, the Polestar tends to cost a little more than the Tesla as a brand-new car. Standard equipment for both cars is extremely generous with most mod cons included on every model. This also includes a full suite of active safety aids such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, as well as adaptive cruise control. Note that the Polestar's infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, but Tesla omits these features – in their place is a built-in sat nav and direct connectivity with most popular audio streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music.

Generally, EV depreciation is fastest in the first year, with the rate slowing to mostly match fuel-powered cars as the EV gets older. That means you can save a massive portion of the list price by buying a nearly new example of either car. At the time of writing, Motorpoint has several examples of both models with just a few years under their belts costing less than £25,000. Interestingly, the extra purchase premium for Polestar models mostly vanishes on the used market, with both cars ending up very similarly priced.

It'd be fair to say that both of these cars – as some of the first premium EVs sold in big numbers – suffered a few bugs and glitches in their early years on the road. However, these have mostly been ironed out now, along with the quality control issues that affected early Model 3s. We've heard of no major issues with the battery packs, motors or high-voltage electronics on either car – and they should prove more dependable than fuel-powered engines as they have far fewer moving parts.

Which is best?

If you're caught between these two premium EVs, we'd recommend going out and giving both a test drive. The on-paper stats are so close that it'd be wiser to let your tastes and preferences guide your decision, rather than pick based solely on which car delivers slightly better numbers.

The Polestar's character is more easygoing. You could easily get in and drive to your destination without fiddling with a single feature, and with no consideration for the 'experience' you've had on the way. As an everyday driver and commuter car, the Polestar is nearly perfect.

By contrast, the Tesla feels sportier and more alert, with minimal body roll and neck-snapping acceleration if you mash the throttle. This setup does little to compromise the car's everyday usability, but it can't quite replicate the Polestar's serenity. It's also worth bearing in mind that recent controversial behaviour by Tesla's CEO is having a tangible negative impact on the brand's perception.

Browse a selection of used Polestar 2 and used Tesla Model 3 cars for sale. For more choices, see our picks for the best electric cars on sale.