Tesla Model Y vs Polestar 2: Stormtrooper up against Iceman

When we first drove the Polestar 2 in late 2021, it made sense to compare it to the Tesla Model 3. Both are low-riding, handle well, and both (at the time) started at roughly the same price – $59,900.

That’s about where the similarities ended. With very different pricing structures, features, and styling, the two are in fact very different beasts.

And from this writer’s perspective, one of the winning points of the Polestar 2 over the Tesla Model 3 is the fact that it has a hatch at the back.

In late 2020, when I finally made the switch to an all-electric car, the Polestar wasn’t available. And like many, I wanted a Tesla. And With the Model Y not visible on the launch date horizon I had opted for the Model 3.

That’s all changed now that the Tesla Model Y is on the market – and perhaps more importantly, in my driveway. A happy local is now the proud owner of my Model 3, having snapped it up rather than wait up to seven long months for a new one.

This of course also means that when we had the Polestar 2 to review again last week, I was able to take a close-up look at the differences between it and the Model Y.

The Model Y has been dubbed “Stormtrooper” (you can thank Tiffany Overton for this moniker), and I jokingly refer to the Polestar 2 as the “Iceman,” because frankly the Polestar 2 exudes so much cool.

And I suppose from a purely design perspective, this is a main differentiating factor between the two. The Model Y is built like an inflated bubble, and likely to become a common sight on local roads, in part, because it’s a Tesla and a high ride.

The Model Y has already proven itself a winner in global markets. In California in July it became the best-selling car in the across the entire auto market.

The body style that counts

But as the Model Y has the body style that so many Australians love – an SUV crossover – this is likely to make it a favourite over and above the Model 3.

The Polestar 2 has its own virtues however. It is an edgy, muscly fastback from the Geely-owned, eponymous Volvo offshoot Polestar. Maybe the model name is actually just “2” but nobody I know actually calls it that.

It has a chilled attitude and comfortably nimble handling, and although it doesn’t have the spacious interior of the Model Y, it makes up for its with a head-turning presence on the road.

However, its pricing structure means that the base model misses out on what are standard inclusions in the Model Y. Is this a downside? We break it down.

Tesla Model Y pricing and features

Currently, the Model Y is available in two variants – the single-motor RWD from $72,300 and the dual-motor Performance variant from $96,700 (before on-road costs). Driveaway in NSW, the RWD is $82,514, and the Performance is $113,771.

It comes in white as standard, while black, grey and blue are $1,500 extra. Red is $2,900 extra. It comes with 18″ aero wheels for the RWD as standard, and 21″ uberturbines for the Performance. A white interior (seats and dash accent) for both costs $1,500 extra.

It comes with Autopilot (auto-steering, emergency braking and adaptive cruise control) as standard, but enhanced autopilot (EAP) is $5,100 extra. This incudes lane changing and highway entry-exit, auto-parking, summon in carparks and “Smart Summon” (comes to you across a carpark without a driver.)

“Full Self Driving” (FSD) is currently $10,100 and includes all the EAP features plus the ability to stop and start at traffic lights and stop signs.

Standard inclusions include heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, a heat pump for efficient heating, a panoramic sunroof, electronic seats, tinted erar windows and sunroof, wireless smartphone charging and a pretty decent sound system.

It does have Bluetooth smartphone connection but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and there are no choices for regen – Tesla applies the level automatically depending on factors like temperature and battery state of charge. In the rear, there is a lever-release for the back seats, and a generous storage area under the boot floor.

Polestar 2 pricing and features

The Polestar 2 is available in a standard-range single-motor variant, and two long-range variants (either single-moto or dual-motor) with a variety of add-on packs.

These all come standard with standard cruise control, adjustable rengen, heated front seats, Android Automotive including Google Play apps (I noticed both Youtube and Spotify are now available, and downloaded them pronto), and Apple CarPlay.

It starts at $65,900 ($66,940 driveaway in NSW). Adding the long-range battery to that adds $4,500, while stepping up to a dual-motor format with long-range battery costs another $9,500.

This stepped up approach takes driveaway pricing to $71,440 for the single-motor long-range and $76,440 for the dual-motor long-range.

Perhaps the main gripe with Polestar’s pricing is that you have to spend more to get features like driver assistance and a heat pump. But, it costs less than the Model Y from the outset and gives drivers the choice of whether they want them or not.

Add-on packs include the $3,400 Pilot Lite (sans pixel lights) which adds Polestar’s driver assist suite including adaptive cruise control, emergency stop, lane assist (a less strict approach than Tesla’s Autopilot), 360 degree cameras, cross traffic alert, rear collisions warnings and parking assist.

Panaromic sunroof and premium sound system

The $6,000 Plus Pack includes the panoramic sunroof, premium sound system, heated rear seats, electronic seats (including 4-way power lumbar support, driver seat memory, front cushion leg extension and backrest storage nets), heated rear seats, tinted rear windows.

It also includes a bag barrier in the rear luggage compartment (see below).

The $8,000 Performance pack adds nice-to-have touches like 20″ forged allow wheels, gold Brembo front calipers and ventilated front discs, adjustable shock absorbers, dynamic chassis and fancy gold valve caps and seat belts. Ventilated Nappa seats are also available for another $6,000.

This pricing structure means if you want the Polestar with similar features to the Model Y (ie with Pilot Lite and Plus pack), you’ll be paying $76,340 driveaway in NSW.

Bumping that up to the long-range dual-motor will put the driveway price up to $89,180. Adding the Performance pack will put drivers back $100,065.

Tesla Model Y vs Polestar 2 specifications

Tesla Model Y vs Polestar 2 warranty and servicing

Polestar offers a five-year, unlimited manufacturer’s warranty, five years’ roadside assistance, and a five-year/100,000km service plan.

Tesla offers a four-year, 80,000km basic vehicle warranty, and an eight-year, 160,000km warranty for the drive unit and battery. It doesn’t offer a service plan, but recommends a variety of tests and checks that can be viewed here.