Home

 › 

Products

 › 

Vs.

 › 

Toyota bZ3 vs Polestar 2: Comparison with Price, Specs, Pros, and Cons

Polestar 2

Toyota bZ3 vs Polestar 2: Comparison with Price, Specs, Pros, and Cons

Key Points:
  • The Polestar 2 is the brand’s first truly electric EV and their first BEV to enter mass production.
  • The Toyota bZ3 will be equipped with either a 181 HP or a 240 HP electric motor.
  • For 2022, the price of the Polestar 2 was $45,900. The Toyota bZ3 is expected to be as low and affordable as $29,000.

Quarter after quarter, electric vehicle sales continue to set new records. In the first half of 2022 and in the United States alone, more than 300,000 EVs moved off the lot and onto the streets. Naturally, all these EV sales raise an important question: Which one should you opt for? With so many to choose from, it can be hard to narrow things down. Especially with so many cool, new, exciting EVs being announced daily. Take the Toyota bZ3 vs Polestar 2, for instance. How do these two trailblazing electric vehicles compare to one another? And which one deserves your sale the most?

Now, it’s worth stating that the bZ3 is yet to be released. However, it’s still worth comparing it against a seasoned vet like the Polestar 2. You need to know if the exciting words surrounding the bZ3 are worth waiting for, or if you should opt for the cutting-edge EV available now. Let’s make some comparisons below, beginning with an overview of their key differences and respective specs. From there, we’ll also look at the vehicles’ histories and the pros and cons of each. Ultimately, we’ll be able to say which is better: Toyota bZ3 vs Polestar 2.

Side by Side Comparison of Toyota bZ3 vs Polestar 2

Toyota bZ3Polestar 2
Release DateTBD 2023March 2020
ManufacturerToyotaPolestar/Volvo
Base Model Price$29,000 (estimated)$45,900
PredecessorNonePolestar 1
0-60 MPHUnknown7 seconds (single motor)
4.5 seconds (dual motor)
Top Speed100 MPH100 MPH (single motor)
127 MPH (dual motor)
Horsepower181-240 HP (estimated)231 HP (single motor)
408 HP (dual motor)
Estimated Range220 mi (estimated)294-336 mi

5 Must-Know Facts About the bZ3 and the Polestar 2

White 2020 Polestar 2 electric car
The Polestar 2 is optimized for faster acceleration, better control and reliability.
  • Toyota hopes to have 15 zero-emission BEVs on the streets by 2025. This is also the same year Polestar hopes to reach 290,000 sales annually.
  • Whereas Toyota plans to release 15 BEVs in the next few years, Polestar has a much more modest goal of six.
  • As of this writing, the Toyota bZ series and Polestar have just one car on the streets: the bZ4X and the Polestar 2, respectively.
  • The Polestar 2 outperforms the estimations for the bZ3, but the bZ3 will come at a much lower cost than the Polestar 2 upon its eventual release.
  • A significant portion of Toyota’s BEV lineup will utilize a shared e-TNGA architecture with Subaru.

Toyota bZ3 vs Polestar 2: Key Differences

While the bZ3 is yet to be officially released, we can still compare and contrast some key differences between it and the already-released Polestar 2. On the streets since 2020, we know plenty about the Polestar 2 — It’s the bZ3 that we’ll have to make some educated guesses about. Yet, thanks to the sister vehicle, the bZ4X, and the information that has come out about the bZ3 overseas, we should have enough to make some substantial comparisons.

Performance

The Polestar 2 is the Polestar brand’s first truly electric EV, not to mention their first BEV to enter into mass production. It’s available in three trims: The Standard Range Single Motor, the Long Range Single Motor, and the Long Range Dual Motor. More specifically, the first two use front permanent-magnet synchronous motors under the hood, while the Long Range Dual Motor has dual permanent-magnet synchronous motors in its place. This translates to 231 HP with 330 Nm of torque for the single-motor trims and 408 HP with 660 Nm for the dual motor trim.

Conversely, the bZ3’s performance specs are a little more of a mystery. However, thanks to the e-TNGA architecture Toyota and Subaru share, they aren’t unknown. As such, we can confidently say that the bZ3 will be equipped with either a 181 HP or a 240 HP electric motor. The former comes in below all three Polestar 2, while the latter barely surpasses the single motor trims and falls relatively short of the dual motor’s 408 HP. The bZ4X has anywhere from 266Nm to 337 Nm of torque, which means the bZ3 will likely fall short of the Polestar 2’s torque.

Range

Similar to its performance, the Polestar 2’s estimated range per charge tells three different stories to match its three other trims. The Standard Range Single Motor has an estimated range of 294 miles per charge. The Long Range Single Motor ups that number to an estimated 336 miles per charge. The Long Range Dual Motor is the middle ground between the three, with 299 miles of estimated range per charge. Both single-motor trims have an efficiency of 275-295 Watt-hours per mile, while the dual-motor trim increases that to 315-330 Wh/mi.

While we already know the bZ3 will utilize Toyota and Subaru’s e-TNGA architecture, this provides no clear answer as to its estimated range. However, reports out of the overseas market indicate that the bZ3 will hope to achieve at least 220 miles per charge. Markedly a step down from the Polestar 2 and even the bZ4X, this estimation is pretty on-par for your typical BEV sedan. By comparison, the base model Tesla Model 3 has an estimated 272 miles range per charge.

Price

In today’s hectic and ravenous market, it can be hard to pin down a price on a car. In any regard, the Polestar 2 still has a set suggested retail price to report. For 2022, that price was $45,900. Whether dealers decide to stick to that price or not is their choice alone, but this $45,900 figure is the one Polestar itself put out there. To be clear, this is for the base model. You could pay as much as $49,900 or more if you want a longer range or dual motors.

On the other hand, the Toyota bZ3’s price is much less defined than that of the Polestar 2. That’s not to say we don’t have a general idea, however. According to overseas reports, the base model price of the bZ3 is expected to be as low and as affordable as $29,000. This can all change depending on availability, resources, and the market at large, but for now — in this pre-release stage — the estimated base model price remains under $30,000.

History of Toyota bZ Series

Grey Toyota bZ4X on display
Scheduled for release in 2023, the Toyota bz3 will share design similarities with the Toyota bz4x

The Toyota bZ series — short for “beyond Zero” — is Toyota’s new line of BEVs (battery electric vehicles). Toyota introduced the world to their plans for the line in April of 2021, simultaneously announcing the bZ4X Concept alongside it. The bZ4X is a compact crossover SUV that serves as Toyota’s very first BEV in the bZ line. It’s the first step in Toyota’s master plan to have 15 BEV models on the roads by 2025. Of those 15, seven are slated to be part of the burgeoning bZ series. All seven will also be based on Toyota and Subaru’s proprietary e-TNGA platform.

The “Beyond Zero” name tells the story of Toyota’s plan for the future: zero emissions as a standard, but with features and specs that go far beyond that qualifier. The bZ4X hit Japan and China before arriving in the U.S. in the summer of 2022. Unfortunately for Toyota and the bZ name, 2,700 bZ4Xs were recalled soon after release because of reports of wheels coming loose while driving. Toyota won’t let something like this stop them, though — especially with 14 more BEVs supposedly being rolled out by the rapidly approaching 2025 benchmark.

The bZ3 will be the bZ line’s first sedan. While it has yet to be released anywhere in the world, the rumored plan is for the bZ3 to follow in the bZ4X’s footsteps. First, the overseas market, then the U.S. market. So far, all that’s known is what the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)has revealed. The design appears identical to the concept shown in April 2021, with two powertrain options and a top speed of 100 MPH across the board. Specific details on the bZ3 battery remain scanty, but it’ll likely resemble the one also found in the bZ4X.

Polestar’s History

Unlike the bZ series, Polestar’s EV line is already well underway. The manufacturer already has two electric performance vehicles under its belt: The succinctly titled Polestar 1 and the Polestar 2. The Polestar 3 and 4 are currently in pre-production, slated for October 2022 and sometime in 2023, respectively. The 5 and 6 are in the concept stage, expected to arrive in 2024 and 2026, respectively. While the Polestar 1 was released in 2018, it was discontinued in 2022. The Polestar 2, by comparison, is still in production (and has been since 2020).

Polestar 1’s discontinuation is not a sign of poor sales. However, the plug-in hybrid was never meant to be around forever. It was only ever supposed to be in limited production. The Polestar 2, on the other hand, is expected to continue mass production for the foreseeable future. It also takes the plunge into full BEV compared to the Polestar 1’s plug-in hybrid status. This means the Polestar 2 is also Polestar’s first true mass-market BEV, complete with multiple different trims and pricing options to match those of competing BEVs such as Tesla and the like.

With the Polestar 1 and the Polestar 2, the manufacturer saw close to 29,000 vehicles sold in 2021. By 2025, when the 3, 4, and 5 will have joined the two on the sales floor, Polestar expects to see those sales rise tenfold to 290,000. It’s an optimistic yet reasonable goal that Polestar hopefully won’t have too much trouble achieving. Given that Polestar had sold more than 21,000 BEVs by the end of the first half of 2022, it’s not too outlandish to presume the company will hit its goal in 2025.

Toyota bZ3 vs Polestar 2: Pros and Cons

Toyota bz3

ProsCons
Expected to be more affordable than the Polestar 2Not yet released, with no precise date so far
Its planned top speed will be the same as both single-motor PolestarsPerformance pales in comparison to Polestar 2
Part of a long line of impressive zero-emissions BEVs from ToyotaRange pales in comparison to Polestar 2
Its 220-mi. the estimated range is on par with other electric sedansMuch of the bZ3’s most vital specs remain shrouded in mystery

Polestar 2

ProsCons
Beautiful design both inside and outIts $50,000 price tag is unattainable for many drivers
Remarkable horsepower across all three trimsIts three different trims can lead to some buyer confusion
Readily available for purchase, unlike the bZ3Performance pales in comparison to other luxury BEVs
Maintains many of the best parts of Volvo’s vehicles

Toyota bZ3 vs Polestar 2: Which Is Best?

Toyota bZ3 and the Polestar 2 are two incredible EVs. We know what sets them apart and know what unites them. Likewise, we can see the specs of both vehicles and understand where their advantages and disadvantages lie. So, which BEV is the best? The Toyota bZ3, or the Polestar 2? The honor ultimately belongs to Polestar 2. Although there’s plenty to love about the bZ3, the Polestar 2 boasts too many advantages to ignore.

From its horsepower to its top speeds, estimated range to its luxury accommodations, the Polestar 2 tops the bZ3 countless times. Additionally, it’s available to purchase now. No need to wait, which is what you’ll have to do to purchase a bZ3. Despite the bZ3’s lower price, solid range, and horsepower, the Polestar 2 is superior in look, feel, and function. It may eventually be worth circling back to this debate after the bZ3 release, but presently, the honor is all Polestar 2’s.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Toyota bZ3 be released?

While the bZ3 has no U.S. release date set just yet, insiders expect to see the car on the streets in 2023.

When will the Polestar 3 be out?

The Polestar 3 could be made available for purchase as soon as October 2022.

Is Toyota going fully EV?

Toyota has not stated whether they plan to go fully electric just yet, but they have said they plan to have 15 BEVs out by 2025.

Is the Polestar 2 a good car?

With exceptional horsepower, a dependable range per charge, and a luxurious interior and exterior, the Polestar 2 is definitely a great car.

How fast is the Polestar 2?

The Polestar 2 has a top speed of 127 miles per hour for its dual motor trim and 100 MPH for its two single-motor trims.

To top