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Polestar 2 vs Tesla Model Y
Selected trimStandard range Single motorChange trim344 mi · 70 kWh · £45,210
Selected trimRWDChange trim314 mi · Not available · £41,990
At a glance
In this comparison, Polestar 2 leads on city driving, while the Tesla Model Y leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Polestar 2 if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Tesla Model Y if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model Y leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Polestar
6.2
Tesla
6.5
Too close to call
Motorway RangeTesla
Polestar
4.7
Tesla
5.8
FamilyTesla
Polestar
6
Tesla
7.8
ChargingTesla
Polestar
4.1
Tesla
7
Cost Per MileTesla
Polestar
6
Tesla
7.7
City DrivingPolestar
Polestar
4.9
Tesla
3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Polestar 2
Standard range Single motor
- 30 miles more WLTP range
- 0.6 m tighter turning circle
- 1500 kg more towing capacity
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £45,210 | £41,990 (better) |
| Official range | 344 miles (better) | 314 miles |
| Boot space | 407 L | 854 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 26 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 6.4 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Polestar 2
Tesla Model Y
Length
Polestar 24,606mm-188mm
Tesla Model Y4,794mm
Width
Polestar 21,859mm-122mm
Tesla Model Y1,981mm
Height
Polestar 21,479mm-142mm
Tesla Model Y1,621mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,606 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,859 mm (better) | 1,981 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,985 mm (better) | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,479 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.5 m (better) | 12.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 541 mm spare (better) | 419 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 407 L | 854 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1097 L | 2118 L (better) |
| Frunk | 41 L | 117 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,500 kg (better) | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Polestar 2
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Tesla Model Y
- 3rd-largest boot among SUVs in our catalogue at 854 L.
- A 117 L frunk, one of 6 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 117 L or more.
- Uses 138 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor |  Tesla Model Y RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.61m | 4.79m+188mm |
| Width | 1.86m | 1.98m+122mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.99m | 2.13m+144mm |
| Height | 1.48m | 1.62m+142mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.73m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | 151mm | 162mm+11mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 407L | 854L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1097L | 2118L (better) |
| Frunk | 41L | 117L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.5m (better) | 12.1m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,995kg | 1,906kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,500kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 70kWh | Not available |
| Range (WLTP) | 344 mi (better) | 314 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 180kW (better) | 175kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £45,210 | £41,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 344 miles (better) | 314 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 231 miles | 251 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 26 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 180 kW (better) | 175 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | 149 Wh/km | 138 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 70 kWh | Not available |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6.4 sec (better) | 6.9 sec |
| Power | 200 kW | Not available |
| Torque | 490 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Polestar 2
Standard range Single motor
Tesla Model Y
RWD
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Polestar 2
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £21,999 | £38,121 |
| Average used price | £24,883 | £40,783 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 15 listings (better) | 7 listings |
| Saving vs RRP | £20,327 below new | £1,207 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 1% over ~6 months | Down 9.2% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Polestar 2 Standard range Single motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist83%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model Y RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users86%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Polestar 2Standard range Single motor | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag firm ride comfort. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Polestar 2
Standard range Single motor
Owners love
- Excellent build quality and interior materials, notably superior to Tesla and ID.4 alternatives
- Outstanding Google infotainment system with intuitive interface, useful voice assistant, and no lag
- Improved range (350-409 miles WLTP) and efficiency reduce long-distance charging stops
Watch out for
- Performance Pack suspension is unrelenting on poor UK roads, compromising daily comfort and refinement
- Significant winter range loss of 15-30% in cold weather; real-world winter efficiency often disappoints versus WLTP ratings
- Excessive touchscreen reliance for basic controls like mirror adjustment and glove box access creates safety concerns
Owner tips
- Consider non-Performance Pack variants or request Ohlins free first setup service to optimize suspension tuning for your driving conditions
- Verify real-world winter range expectations before purchase; plan for 15-30% range loss during cold months and budget charging infrastructure accordingly
Tesla Model Y
RWD
Owners love
- Spacious interior with generous cargo capacity makes it practical for families, easily accommodating five passengers plus luggage
- Low running costs versus petrol and diesel, especially with home charging
- Outstanding Supercharger network makes long-distance travel effortless and enables trip planning comparable to petrol cars
Watch out for
- Depreciation concerns affect both purchase values and PCP lease terms as rapid model iterations reduce resale viability
- Autopilot struggles reliably with small roads, parked cars, junctions, and speed limit changes despite heavy marketing
- Harsh suspension ride remains problematic for some owners, though newer generation improvements are noticeable
Owner tips
- Consider a nearly new or pre-facelift car over new to limit depreciation
- Choose LFP battery models if available to avoid strict battery charging discipline and benefit from greater longevity
Buying options
Get a quote
Polestar 2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model Y
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Polestar 2
- £27,7662024Car360View
- £21,9992024Browns of RichmondView
Tesla Model Y
- £38,1212025Car360View
- £43,4442025Castle EVView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Polestar 2 worth the extra £3,220 over the Tesla Model Y?
The Polestar 2 costs £3,220 more than the Tesla Model Y. For that premium it adds 30 miles more WLTP range. The Tesla Model Y is not just cheaper - it also offers 447 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Tesla Model Y comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Polestar 2 or the Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y is £3,220 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Tesla Model Y comes out roughly £3,260 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 231 miles for the Polestar 2 and 251 miles for the Tesla Model Y - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Tesla Model Y goes roughly 20 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Polestar 2 or the Tesla Model Y?
The Polestar 2 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 122 mm narrower than the Tesla Model Y. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 541 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 2 and about 419 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model Y. The Polestar 2 also turns in a 0.6 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Polestar 2 or the Tesla Model Y?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Polestar 2 and 90% for the Tesla Model Y. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Polestar 2 comparisons
More Tesla Model Y comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best family EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y rank among long-range EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best city EVsWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .