It will remain a massive difference. Note how many actual chargers there are at the average Supercharger. Note the number of charge points at the average (and planned) rapid charger locations. Then note the frequency of non-functioning equipment at non-Tesla chargers. And then there's the competition from many different makes of EV wanting to charge at those chargers. Weigh this up carefully ... before making the decision ... to buy a Tesla.
So What Do We Think Of The Polestar 2?
- Thread starter Jason71
- Start date
It will remain a massive difference. Note how many actual chargers there are at the average Supercharger. Note the number of charge points at the average (and planned) rapid charger locations. Then note the frequency of non-functioning equipment at non-Tesla chargers. And then there's the competition from many different makes of EV wanting to charge at those chargers. Weigh this up carefully ... before making the decision ... to buy a Tesla.
VanillaAir_UK
Supporting Member
I'm not so convinced it will be such an issue initially. I would like to see the statistics for average length of charge at various facilities and it wouldn't surprise me if superchargers top that list for similar speeds. For us, we tend to make a meal stop when supercharging, but I think if pricing was not so keen, we would do much quicker stops and more inclined to stick with slower charging for longer.
I would be less concerned about the speed difference than whether the chargers work at all! You can turn up at a Supercharger on a low percentage and know you are going to get a charge. With any other brand you need to turn up with enough left to find another charger if that one doesn't work. I'm just going by Zapmap feedback, I have no direct experience ... I've got a Tesla!
Ant M3
Member
Looks ok , maybe a bit bland
first real competitor on the EV scene that Tesla has really had to itself for many years now
first real competitor on the EV scene that Tesla has really had to itself for many years now
I thought that it looked like the old Saab 9000 with the heavy, boxy rear end. It’s not too bad looking as far as EVs go. For me it’s a bit like the Jaguar, too dear for the range But with a car maker finish unlike my model 3
VanillaAir_UK
Supporting Member
I just watched the CarWow video. I think that would be on any shortlist. Real world range not too far off of our Model 3 LR winter trips - yet to put a summer trip in but expect it to be a little better. I think it would be a car that would behave predictably journey after journey, rather than it being a new adventure every month in a Tesla. My only major criticism is side window sizes. They look rather short. I like the airy feeling in the Tesla. I don't think the Polestar 2 would feel quite like that.
The 222 real world range in summer would be concerning for me. In winter that may drop to 150-180?
I think looks wise it grows on you
VanillaAir_UK
Supporting Member
I don't think the Model 3 does particularly well in winter consumption vs some. Some cars get much closer to their stated range even in cooler weather. It remains to be seen where the Polestar fairs on that comparison.
As a former eGolf owner I can confirm that you have got that exactly right..!I would be less concerned about the speed difference than whether the chargers work at all! You can turn up at a Supercharger on a low percentage and know you are going to get a charge. With any other brand you need to turn up with enough left to find another charger if that one doesn't work. I'm just going by Zapmap feedback, I have no direct experience ... I've got a Tesla!
There are things about Tesla which disappoint, particularly build quality, but it's manageable. The huge advantage and why I just wouldn't consider any other EV maybe other than a city run-around, is the Supercharger network. Without something comparable, it's Tesla for me for the foreseeable
Hopefully I'll change my mind when the car is delivered but I'm already frustrated with the brand. I really don't like their method of assigning cars, I don't like not knowing what's happening with such an expensive purchase. TBH I only test drove the M3 out of curiosity , didn't expect to massively enjoy driving it.
Maybe living in the south east gives me a bias but there are a tonne of EV chargers all over the place so the lack of charging wouldn't worry me. I do admit, though, that Superchargers do make Tesla more practical than the rest.
Don't get me wrong, I love the car although I had to do a bunch of stuff to give me confidence e.g. had the paintwork fettled, full PPE and switched away from 20 inch wheels. Probably OTT but I feel better for it. The car is epic to drive and still gets loads of positive comments - all this easily outweighs the "quirky" bits and I think you'll still love it. It's the Tesla rollercoaster.
I'm not a regular Supercharger user to be honest, but on a long trip, Tesla have you covered 95% of the time. We're off down through France soon and I wouldn't consider that in a different EV. It's doable I'm sure, but much more hassle I suspect
Yes, it works in stop-start traffic but you don't get automatic lane changing or the benefit of phantom braking.
What do you mean by that? Autopilot has worked very smoothly for me at low speeds. If you're implying the Polestar system won't have issues with unintended sudden braking, how do you know? I've had such issues with a Nissan LEAF before and that doesn't use a system similar to Tesla's either. Just because a system is less advanced doesn't mean it's 100% error free.
Edit: I see it "tries to do less". Simpler system. Has some drawbacks in comparison but should be "fine" in stop start traffic. Unless the weather's bad, which I've found Autopilot works wonderfully in. Interesting read on the feature here.
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How do I know? If you Google Tesla phantom braking and Volvo phantom braking, the results are unequivocal.
There are videos on Youtube right now of the Polestar's system being used in start/stop traffic, so you can judge for yourself if it works in the way you'd like it to.
I'm very happy with Autopilot, it is also an ever-evolving technology. Of course there's room for improvement, but used properly it's a great system and much more capable than competing technologies. It also has much more coverage than other systems, for good and bad reasons. And people are more likely to post issues than give praise, so it can make things seem worse than they actually are. So yeah, it goes without saying it will be easier to find "issues" related to Autopilot than other systems.
I've got much more faith in using it and letting it do its thing than I would have with Volvo's equivalent. Which admittedly seems a nice system compared to many. The false positives with Autopilot can be annoying and potentially dangerous. But it's ever-improving and also reacts in an appropriate way to dangerous situations that other systems would simply ignore.
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c7carl
Member
I had placed a £1000 deposit on a Polestar 2 back at Christmas but having read the recent UK motoring press reviews, I have cancelled my pre order and instead opted to order a M3LR. The Polestar just didn’t have enough good points to outweigh the range and supercharger network of the Tesla.
Was particularly put off by the high centre console and hump in the rear footwell, heavy weight and slightly odd joint at the base of the A pillar.
I did like the idea of a hatchback (current company car due to be changed before the Model Y will be available in the UK) and having Google assistant would have been nice.
I will miss the HUD that I currently have in my BMW 330e but can’t wait to get my M3.
Was particularly put off by the high centre console and hump in the rear footwell, heavy weight and slightly odd joint at the base of the A pillar.
I did like the idea of a hatchback (current company car due to be changed before the Model Y will be available in the UK) and having Google assistant would have been nice.
I will miss the HUD that I currently have in my BMW 330e but can’t wait to get my M3.
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