Tesla leads the electric car market by a wide margin. Try as they might, its competitors can’t quite catch the massively popular Tesla. A new contender in the electric car market is desperately trying to outperform Tesla – the Polestar 2. The Swedish company has produced a sleek, speedy sports sedan in the Polestar 2 with a pleasing design that some might prefer over the starkness of the Tesla.

What is the Polestar 2?

According to Cars.com, Polestar is a recent spinoff from Volvo and Geely. It was originally a performance division within Volvo but is now a standalone company with its own CEO and COO. Although Polestar is now its own company, the vehicles still share Volvo technology. 

It’s pretty obvious that the Polestar spawned from Volvo. It shares several body style characteristics, such as similar headlights, taillights, and chunky design. Reps from Polestar agree that the 1 and 2 models share certain aspects of the Volvo design, but they say the upcoming Polestar 3 SUV will have its own unique design. 

The Polestar 2 is a powerful, high-performance, electric sports sedan. The four-door hatchback has a stark Scandinavian design that boasts sharp, clean lines. The Polestar’s incredible power comes from two electric motors – creating a total of 402 hp.

The sedan boasts a smooth, comfortable ride with excellent handling. Drivers can choose between three settings for both the electric steering assist and regenerative brakes. An independent test checked out the Polestar 2’s electric range in comparison to others in its class. The Tesla Model 3 came out on top at 234 miles on a full charge. The Polestar 2 came in second at 205 miles. The Jaguar I-Pace was third with 188 miles and the Audi E-Tron was in last place at 187 miles.

The Polestar 2 is the first production vehicle using the full Google Android Automotive operating system. The whole central display uses Google technology to operate a variety of functions, including climate control and navigation. The Google system works well, and the central display is large and user-friendly.

How does it compare to the Tesla Model 3?

The Tesla Model 3 beat the Polestar 2 in the electric range test, but the Swedish sedan comes out on top in a different area – the interior of the vehicle. The interior of the Polestar 2 is far more aesthetically pleasing than the Tesla Model 3. It feels more like a traditional vehicle than the cold, stark, empty Tesla interior. 

Inside the Polestar 2, drivers will find a gauge cluster and buttons on the steering wheel. The interior also has touch-sensitive panel controls and uses pleasing shapes to lend a bit of personality to the vehicle. 

Unfortunately, although it looks better, it doesn’t feel that great. The materials used (like hard plastic) seem cheap for such an expensive car, and it’s not very comfortable. The air vents are placed in a bad spot that doesn’t allow for great circulation. The back seat area is cramped and isn’t great for anyone with long legs. 

Which car is better overall?

Overall, the Tesla Model 3 is still the best. The Model 3 is more spacious, has farther range, and costs less – you really can’t beat that. The Polestar 2 might have a few nice features and better styling, but it can’t beat Tesla where it really matters. Price is a huge factor for prospective buyers, and the Polestar 2 is just too much.