I'll explain the reason why I choose to reserve a Polestar 2 over a Model 3.
I live near Montréal, where we have very rough winters with lots of rapid temperature changes generating complex weather phenomenons.
Cars are often frozen in the morning and lots of abrasives and chemicals are scattered on road.
Which means that, for me,...
1) Fancy door handle design is nonsense. Physics learned us that a lever amplifies an input force to provide a greater output force. In the case of the Model 3 (and some other luxury cars), it's the other way around. The door handle is designed against the user, who needs to put lots of force on the smallest portion of the lever to free the longer portion from the ice.
2) Frameless windows are a deal breaker. Windows here are often frozen, on a regular car it's not a big deal but Model 3 needs to lower the window to allow the door to open. No thanks.
3) Body protection. The Polestar 2 has plastic trims all around the bottom of the car. This protects the pain from debris projection and salt. Many canadian Model 3 owners reported fenders sandblasted to the metal after one winter. Rust beginning to show up within the first year of ownership.
4) Charge port design. The Model 3 seems to have lots of frozen charge port door problems. Insufficient sealing, motorized door, and motorized latch, all prone to ice problems. Polestar 2 has a huge seal and is opened by hand. Not flashy-techy but proven design.
Before you reply, no, pre-heating the car does not solve these problems.
Which car has more range or acceleration doesn't matter a lot to me.
I just want to be able to enter the car when I want, charge it when I want and not visit the bodyshop after each winter.
I respect Tesla for pushing the envelope, forcing other manufacturers to join the electric revolution.
But many design aspect are too much form-over-function for my taste and needs.