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Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Stephen Elson

I'm choosing an electric car for the first time and I have a few options to choose from, all brand new cars, wanted some advise on the best out of my options:

Tesla 3 RWD dual motor long range.

Polestar 2 long range performance pack

BYD Seal AWD

BMW i4

All advice welcome, thank you.

Edited by Stephen Elson on 11/11/2024 at 21:08

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - badbusdriver

Well I don't know how important this I to you, but I believe the Tesla would be the most efficient overall, not to mention the one which gets closest to the claimed range.

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Stephen Elson

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Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Wee Willie Winkie
There’s no such thing as a Tesla Model 3 RWD Dual Motor Long Range. There’s the RWD, RWD Long Range, Dual Motor Long Range and then the Performance.

I currently have a 2020 Model 3 Standard Range +, which goes back to the lease company on a couple of weeks. I spent an inordinate amount of time researching the pros and cons of replacements, considering all the non Tesla options you list. What did I choose? Next week a new Tesla Model 3 is being delivered. The other choices all had drawbacks, and the build quality of the new Model 3 is now another level - worlds away from my current version.
Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Engineer Andy
There’s no such thing as a Tesla Model 3 RWD Dual Motor Long Range. There’s the RWD, RWD Long Range, Dual Motor Long Range and then the Performance. I currently have a 2020 Model 3 Standard Range +, which goes back to the lease company on a couple of weeks. I spent an inordinate amount of time researching the pros and cons of replacements, considering all the non Tesla options you list. What did I choose? Next week a new Tesla Model 3 is being delivered. The other choices all had drawbacks, and the build quality of the new Model 3 is now another level - worlds away from my current version.

Bear in mind that yesterday I saw (and heard!) a 23 plate Tesla Model 3 going over a local ( not unusually high or short) speed hump, and the rattling it made - it sounded like half the car was falling apart!

Not the first time I've experienced this with newish Teslas either. That hasn't convinced me that their build quality problems have been resolved as yet.

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Wee Willie Winkie
There’s no such thing as a Tesla Model 3 RWD Dual Motor Long Range. There’s the RWD, RWD Long Range, Dual Motor Long Range and then the Performance. I currently have a 2020 Model 3 Standard Range +, which goes back to the lease company on a couple of weeks. I spent an inordinate amount of time researching the pros and cons of replacements, considering all the non Tesla options you list. What did I choose? Next week a new Tesla Model 3 is being delivered. The other choices all had drawbacks, and the build quality of the new Model 3 is now another level - worlds away from my current version.

Bear in mind that yesterday I saw (and heard!) a 23 plate Tesla Model 3 going over a local ( not unusually high or short) speed hump, and the rattling it made - it sounded like half the car was falling apart!

Not the first time I've experienced this with newish Teslas either. That hasn't convinced me that their build quality problems have been resolved as yet.

I’d bet on loose wheel trims. I had that issue - sounded awful going over bumps. Reports from 2024 owners is that the new model is light years ahead in terms of build quality. I had an overnight test drive and was really impressed. Really looking forward to delivery day next week.
Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Stephen Elson

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Polestar 2 - Best electric car - SLO76
I’m assuming this is via a workplace EV lease scheme and the cars will be brand new? If so then the world is your oyster, go take lengthy test drives in each and pick the one you personally like the most. If however you’re buying it new or nearly new yourself (you shouldn’t as they’ll plummet in value) then I’d stay safe and leave the BYD out, as it’s a bit of an unknown with the used market and will drop harder than the rest. Plus if the UK copies the EU and US and slaps huge tariffs on Chinese built EV’s they might not be in the market for long which will destroy already fragile residuals.

If I was to pick a favourite it would be the Tesla purely because of their superior charging network and the discounts you’ll receive as an owner/keeper - no one owns now.

Edited by SLO76 on 12/11/2024 at 00:04

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Sofa Spud

If I had the money to buy one, the Tesla Model 3 would have been my choice until recently but I'm not so sure now. Nothing to do with the car itself but it's the association with Elon Musk that puts me off.

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Steveieb

To avoid the disappointment is the EV doesn’t work out for you I would recommend hiring one for a month and reviewing your decision after a long trip !

Cupra are offering a 90 day trial and Ford 48 hours .

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Oli rag

Richard Symons site RSEV on YouTube is a good one to look at for real world reviews. I do think you should try them all if possible, as they all have pros and cons.

Personally I'd choose the Tesla because of its efficiency and brilliant charging network.

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Stephen Elson

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Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Stephen Elson

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Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Stephen Elson

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Edited by Stephen Elson on 14/11/2024 at 18:48

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - John F

Over a year ago I had an uber ride in the award winning Ioniq 5 - v. impressive. It would be at or near the top of my list of practical EVs (I would aspire to a Lucid but they can't be bothered with the UK). I'm surprised it's not on yours.

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - 72 dudes

Admittedly I'm biased as I run a BMW i4.

What I can say that a good percentage (and I genuinely can't quantify it better than that) of i4 owners on the FB group have come from Tesla Model 3s and say the BMW is the better car. Ride, handling, comfort, interior.

The 24 model Tesla s said to be far better quality as you say, so I would imagine that the gap is now much narrower.

Don't forget that many of the Tesla V4 chargers are now open to any make of car (that have CCS connectors). I used the ones near J27 on the M1 when on holiday.

Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Stephen Elson

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Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Stephen Elson

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Polestar 2 - Best electric car - mcb100
Lots of miles covered in Polestar 2, rather fewer in a Tesla.

Everything in a Tesla is a touch ‘odd’ - I’m not saying it’s not ‘get used to able’, but everything from the feeling of being in a fish bowl to most controls being via touch screen.

Polestar 2 is much more conventional - everything looks familiar. There’s a Google based operating system that’s at least as good as anything else.
The Performance Pack car, on Ohlins adjustable dampers and high performance Continental tyres can feel a little firm. My choice would be to have a non-Performance Pack car, on the standard dampers, and download the over the air update to up the power to 350kW. Bear in mind that the regular Dual Motor car is pretty lively…
If you regularly carry rear passengers of adult size, check rear legroom.
Polestar 2 - Best electric car - Stephen Elson

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