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Key Points
- Tesla is the oldest player in the EV market and has four EV models in the market.
- Polestar is fairly new compared to Tesla and has one hybrid and one 100% EV at the moment.
- When it comes to performance Tesla is the clear winner, however, owning a Tesla is a much more expensive affair.
Polestar and Tesla are clear competitors in the electric car space. In fact, Polestar 2’s release was touted as a “Tesla killer,” although that label is probably used a bit too liberally in media content. Truthfully, the only real way to see how these companies stack up against one another is to compare their products! Today Polestar 2 Performance goes head-to-head with Tesla Model 3 performance. Ultimately, you know which EV comes out on top.
Polestar 2 Performance vs Tesla Model 3 Performance: Side by Side Comparison
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| Polestar 2 Performance | Tesla Model 3 Performance | |
|---|---|---|
| Range | 249 miles | 315 miles |
| Top speed | 127 mph | 162 mph |
| Acceleration (0-60) | 4.2 seconds | 3.1 seconds |
| Horsepower | 231 hp | 283 hp |
| Appearance | Polestar 2 Long-range dual motor body. Yellow brakes and seat belt accent. | Model 3 body style. Red brakes and larger wheels. |
| Price | Starts at $57,400 | Starts at $61,990 |
Polestar 2 Performance vs Tesla Model 3 Performance: What’s the Difference?
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The Polestar 2 Performance is the highest-level offering currently available from Polestar. This sedan, comes with two variants, a single motor and a dual motor option. The Performance pack is a hardware and software upgrade package offered exclusively on the dual motor edition of the Polestar 2. The Performance upgrade is intended for those looking to get the most performance out of their car for a little bit more.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance is one of the three trims in the Model 3 lineup. The other models are the Long Range AWD and the Rear-wheel drive. The Model 3 Performance is the most expensive of the three and is geared to those looking for performance over economy and range.
Range
Talking of range, the competition is a bit of a blowout. Polestar hasn’t released the range on their Performance package, although they have released numbers for the dual motor variant on which the Performance package is installed. The dual motor variant gets 249 miles, although the Performance package likely drops that a bit because it doesn’t come with a battery upgrade.
The Model 3 Performance doesn’t get as much mileage as the Long Range edition, but it’s close. The Performance can go 315 miles, although real-world mileage is almost always lower.
Performance
For both car models, “performance” is listed in the name. They are the fasted options available in their respective body types.
The Polestar 2 Performance claims a top speed of 127 mph and a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds. Although these are solid numbers, they aren’t that great compared to other EV companies, especially Tesla.
The Model 3 Performance is one of the fastest cars on the market. Its other real competitors are the Model S and the Roadster, both from Tesla. The Performance edition claims a top speed of 162 mph and a 0-60 time of 3.1 seconds.
Appearance
The Polestar 2 Performance is built on the standard Polestar 2 sedan configuration, with its body crafted from Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, which the Volvo XC40 shares. The Performance edition has two visible upgrades, the brakes and the seat belts. This model includes yellow-gold Brembo brakes, a specialty feature crafted in Italy. Additionally, the seat belts have a distinctive color to match the standout brakes. Under the car are Öhlins dampers that can be adjusted at home, although these aren’t visible.
The Model 3 Performance shares similarities with the Polestar 2 Performance. It’s built on the standard Model 3 body, only with red brakes known as their “Performance Brakes,” although they also happen to be Brembos like the Polestar. Aside from brakes, the Performance has larger 20” Überturbine Wheels, compared to the 18″ or 19″ wheels available on the other two models. The visual differences between their base models and their Performance ones are minor for both cars.
Price
Where Polestar competes with Tesla is in price. The dual motor package for the Polestar starts at $51,900, and the Performance pack costs $5,500 more. Altogether, the Polestar 2 Performance will set you back about $57,400. The Model 3 Performance is a few thousand more, starting at a flat $62,990.
Polestar 2 Performance vs Tesla Model 3 Performance: 10 Must-know Facts
Polestar 2 Performance:
- Performance upgrade must be installed on the dual motor variant
- It offers 249 miles of range, 127 mph top speed, and a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds
- The upgrade includes specialty brakes, software customization, and specialty dampers
- Gold accents on the brake pads and seat belts
- Slightly cheaper than the Model 3 Performance
Model 3 Performance:
- Performance upgrade one of the three available models
- It can cover 315 miles at full charge, hit a 162 mph top speed, and scoot from 0-60 in 3.1 seconds
- The upgrade includes specialty brakes, software customization, a larger battery, and upgraded tires
- Red brake accents
- Slightly more expensive than the Polestar 2 Performance
Polestar 2 Performance vs Tesla Model 3 Performance: Which one is best for you?
The Polestar 2 Performance and the Model 3 Performance cater to the same crowd: those who want the best. Both models are the most expensive variants of their respective lineups and offer the best performance.
Of the two, the Tesla is significantly faster and has a longer range than the Polestar. However, it costs a few thousand dollars. The Polestar does have some decent stats, but it simply can’t keep up with Teslas motors and the upgraded battery pack that the Performance model includes.
The Polestar 2 Performance is a better option if:
- You want performance but would like to save a few thousand dollars
- You don’t want a Tesla but still, want one of the best EVs around
- You want arguably better build quality, even if it isn’t as fast as a Tesla
The Model 3 Performance is a better option if:
- You want the fastest Model 3 in the market
- You value range but still want top performance
- You would prefer a Tesla over any other EV company
Next Up…
- Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Polestar 2: How Do They Compare?: Both released in 2022, however, when it comes to performance how does Polestar compare to Ford? Find out here.
- Tesla Autopilot vs. Full Self-Driving (FSD): What are the Differences?: How is Tesla’s Autopilot different from their FSD system? Lets find out.
- EVs vs. Hybrid Vehicles: What are the Real World Pros and Cons?: Find out how Electric Vehicles compare to Hybrid ones and the pros and Cons of owning one.
