The Polestar 3 is a new electric SUV that is expected to be released in October 2023. Tesla, Inc. produces the Tesla Model Y, a battery-electric SUV. Tesla announced it in March 2019, and began manufacturing it at its Fremont facility in January 2020 and then delivering it on March 13, 2020.
Let’s compare the Polestar 3 and the Tesla Model Y with a specific focus on safety, performance, design, price, charging infrastructure, and launch features.
Polestar 3 vs. Tesla Model Y: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Polestar 3 | Tesla Model Y | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $75,500 to $110,800 | $65,990 to $69,990 |
| Range | 348 Miles to 379 Miles | 303 Miles to 330 Miles |
| Seating | 5 | 5 to 7 |
| Wheels | 21″ and 22″ | 19″, 20″ or 21″ |
| 0-60 mph | 4.7 to 5.0 seconds | 3.5 to 4.8 seconds |
Polestar 3 vs. Tesla Model Y: 9 Must-Know Facts
- The Polestar 3 and the Tesla Model Y are both mid-size SUVs.
- Tesla Model Y is electric with a range of 303 miles, while the Polestar 3 is electric with a range of 348 miles.
- Both cars have an electric powertrain, with the Polestar 3 featuring all-wheel drive.
- Both cars have been designed to be “luxury SUVs that can move” and neither car comes with a spare wheel.
- The Polestar 3 has a semi-autonomous driving mode and can come with natural language voice control.
- The Tesla Model Y features a self-driving feature that allows the car to handle most of the controls, with simultaneous voice control.
- Both cars have electric motors, allowing for better performance, torque, and power delivery.
- The Polestar 3 comes standard with a hybrid battery pack while the Tesla Model Y comes standard with a liquid-cooled battery pack.
- The Tesla Model Y has a 15″ touchscreen display and can be upgraded in the long term.
History
The Polestar 3 was announced in January 2019, and deliveries are expected to be made after its release in Q4 2023. The company believes that the Polestar 3 will revolutionize the electric car market.
The Polestar 3 is a fully electric SUV based on a Ypsilon design and built on Volvo’s Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA). The company will be able to build a new range of fully electric vehicles, with each model sharing the same basic architecture. The innovative modular platform will allow the production of new models that combine different drivetrain, battery, and structural components.
The platform will be built on Volvo’s SPA, which is a scalable modular platform developed by Volvo itself and designed to support electric and hybrid powertrains in all size classes and at varying levels of performance. The architecture is flexible enough to withstand different drivetrain architectures’ performance and space requirements.
The SPA will support more than one vehicle architecture. Each vehicle architecture is intended to fit into a particular size class, a powertrain specification, and electrical loads. The various drivetrain architectures will be available for customers to choose from, potentially allowing customers to upgrade their vehicle over time by funding the new components on an individual basis.
The Ypsilon-based Polestar 3 also has its own platform dedicated solely to electric vehicles. The available powertrains are two electric motors, enabling the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and to a top speed of 250 km/h. The Polestar 3 is claimed to have a range of over 600 kilometers (373 miles) on a single charge.
The Polestar 3 will be able to be equipped with one or two electric motors, depending on the vehicle model selected by the customer; this opportunity will be available in both battery and 300 Li-ion battery versions. The battery will be a high-voltage, high-energy-density lithium-ion battery supplied by a strategic partner.
The Polestar 3 can be equipped with one or two electric motors. Depending on customer preferences and other factors, the company plans to offer different types of motors for different vehicle models. Each of the two motors has an output of 150kW (202hp).
Tesla unveiled the Model Y in March 2019 and began production at the start of the next year. The Tesla Model Y is a new all-electric crossover SUV that is a slightly bigger version of the Model 3 sedan. Incorporating a mix of gasoline and electric models, the Model Y is Tesla’s third offering after the Roadster and Model 3. Compared to its predecessor, it comes equipped with extra power, improved handling, and several other upgrades.
Like the Model X, the Model Y will have four doors. Tesla had a tough time convincing customers that a big SUV was actually practical –– especially people who live in cities. It finally took everyone by storm with its compact crossover, the Model 3. The number of configurations was confusing, and the car was limited to only certain parts of North America and Europe.
©Mario Puskar/Shutterstock.com
Polestar 3: Design and Tech
The Polestar 3 will improve on its predecessor by using a 20% lighter carbon fiber shell and an all-wheel drive system. It’ll also be painted in matte black for maximum efficiency. Polestar promises the sort of impressive performance that today’s sports cars offer.
Its bespoke design and aerodynamic shape will make it fit for the Great White North – with rubber floor mattings and simplified rear lights to toughen up its looks.
The Polestar 3 has advanced autonomous driving tech and is fitted with extended-range batteries with no compromises on performance. The Polestar 2 was the first car to receive a 5-star rating from EuroNCAP and pioneered Tesla’s Autopilot system. It also helps that the Polestar 2 has a very low center of gravity, thanks to its aluminum skin. The new model will have an all-new battery made by LG Chem.
The Polestar 3 will be compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger stations and its own dedicated charging solution. As an electric car, the Polestar 3 will charge at home overnight on a Level 2 charger, which should be capable of adding around 100km to the battery in four hours. Rapid charging stations are another option, capable of refilling half your battery in twenty minutes, meaning you could add an impressive 250km of range to your vehicle in less than an hour.
©Yauhen_D/Shutterstock.com
The Tesla Model Y: Range and Power
Tesla Model Y is not just bigger and longer than a standard car, it’s more like a station wagon than your average EV. At 1,920 mm wide and 4,750 mm long, it’s wider than its closest rivals.
The Tesla Model Y has a dual-motor system that delivers rear-wheel drive. The Long Range version will do 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, while the Performance version gets there in just 3.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 235 km/h. It is equipped with an optional performance upgrade -– higher top speed and acceleration -– setting it apart from the base trim.
The Tesla Model Y is compatible with common DC fast-charging stations and its own Supercharger network. The charging speed is more than twice as fast as a standard wall socket. Depending on battery size, a full battery charge takes between 40 and 50 minutes to achieve at a supercharger station.
The car supports dual-motor long-range battery packs, which allow for up to 20 miles per hour of charging speed along with the standard 120V or the 240V NEMA 14-50 plugs.
Polestar 3 vs. Tesla Model Y: Which One is Best for You?
All in all, Polestar 3 is better than Tesla Model Y. It has better mileage and range, useful technology, and a sleek design. It will have a range of at least 235 miles, and it will take around 16 minutes to charge to 80 percent.
It is clearly more comfortable, bigger, and faster than its counterpart. Polestar 3 offers a better battery range and has more advanced technology.
However, some drivers might prefer the Tesla Model Y because of its autopilot system, which may be more reliable than that of the Polestar 3. Yet, others might take a liking to the design of the Tesla Model Y better than that of the Polestar 3.
NEXT UP…
- Top 10 EVs With Longest Battery Life
- How Long Does It Take To Charge Every Tesla Model?
- Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Polestar 2: How Do They Compare?
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Robert Way.
