My mate picked up his M3P yesterday. First time I've sat in one, but yet to drive it. Interior is certainly better than in pictures, though I still prefer the materials and overall design of the P2. The fact it's more like a normal car, I actually prefer. I do agree on cubby holes, the centre bit is fantastic the space it has. If you need it of course.

Tablet wise, I like the P2 approach of not having loads of options to adjust, the M3 seemed very busy, but everything is there as it has to be with no buttons. P2 feels simpler to operate to me, has all you need without feeling the need to go nuts on options. The fact it has no drivetrain adjustment I love to be honest.

Boot is all about ease of access, hatch will always win over a saloon.

I'm looking forward to driving it, I know it'll be faster, but not overly important, more interested in how it feels.

All about trying out different cars, we all have our favourite.

 

Welcome to the forum, John! Obviously the P2 is not for you. If it wasn't for Elon, I'd likely be in a Model S. I do really enjoy my P2, however. Good luck in your search!

 

My input on the P2 interior. Leather, leather, leather and… leather. That is all.

 

I test drove the Polestar 2 dual motor long range today. I have had a Tesla model 3 Long range dual motor for 18 months, it is great, has it's quirks, but Musk and has made it toxic by association, so I have to ditch it.

welcome.
i can't agree on anything you wrote but the horrible rear visibility.

well, at least that will be fixed on the P4. 😄

maybe you could try a Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 6?

 

The Polestar 2 is a concept car brought to life ... it was Volvo's S40 concept from 2016.

Volvo 40.2 Concept: A Taste of Volvo's Next Small Car

This is the next S40/V40, and it will offer gas, electric, and plug-in power.

www.caranddriver.com

Like most concept cars, it's good looking, not practical. It's a four seater with one usable cupholder. But it's gorgeous, handles and drives much better than a Tesla, and has dramatically better interior and exterior quality. The irony is the fact it's based on the ICE platform is why it handles so well - we're not perched up on top of a battery, the battery is in that big tunnel and under the back seat, meaning the driver sits down low in a proper seating position. BMW does the same thing with the i4/i5/I7 and they also handle well for the same reason.

 

Have to disagree on the blind spot monitoring - Tesla's system makes you look exactly the wrong way, while the P2 has proper BLS with an indication light in the mirror.

BTW: I think rear visibility depends a lot on how tall you are and the seating position, for me it works fine but I'm rather tall. I remember driving a rental Volvo C40 which was really bad (but would have been fine for a shorter person).

 

I drove my friend's RWD Model 3 before buying my RWD P*2. I could have been happy with the Model 3. I prefer the driving dynamics, interior, Swedish design, and lack of Musk of the P*2.

You might have a go in the Hyundai Ioniq5/6 to see if you look either of those.

 

I've lived with the Tesla model 3 for 18 months, before that I had an MG5, it is light years ahead of the P2. The P2 is maybe ok to move nervous ICE drivers to EVs, but really it's an ICE with a battery. If that's what you want, fine. But the EV platform and some logical thought, rather than the stagnant "hey this is new I don't like that,"about driving controls, the Tesla has so much more to offer, Musk apart. It just works better. Why do you want headlight options on a rotating stalk you can't actually see? Same for windscreen wiper controls. Even the mirrors...where's that weird specific button again ? Just voice command it. Tesla does it easily. It's weird at first but actually makes sense. Just change your ingrained habits. I did. It's better. Heating controls- yes- a button or dial is best. Glovebox...wtf, just open it with a handle.

Someone mentioned loving the "leather" upholstery. No. The EV generation? Seriously, Why? It's horrible, sticky, cruel, unnecessary. It does I suppose appeal to someone who really is an ICE generation driver. But it's not for the current or future generations. Its disgusting, "oh I like EVs, it's so great for the planet, but give me CO2 producing dead cow to sit on....",?? Go buy an ICE. I'd predict the P2 will end after this facelift. It's just bad. It's so far off the modern dedicated EV platforms. If you want the familiarity of an ICE car in an EV, get a P2 while you can. The future is going to be radically different, and, when you try it for a while, so much better. Oh I hate Elon Musk. Please can he quit or stop X ing (?)and let me have my model 3! It's so much better and more modern and easier than a P2!

 

..

 

I test drove the Polestar 2 dual motor long range today. I have had a Tesla model 3 Long range dual motor for 18 months, it is great, has it's quirks, but Musk and has made it toxic by association, so I have to ditch it.

Here's my view on the P*2 DMLR vs the Tesla Model 3 DMLR, and important for me - comparing luggage space using my massive suitcases (yes, I really took suitcases on a test drive, and wife and 2 kids...not in suitcase!)
Hope it's helpful.

The P2 looks good, but I do prefer the Tesla's look.

People rave about the P2 interior and luxurious feel. I was expecting it be something special. It's not.

Honestly, I prefer the simplicity and open airy space of the Tesla. The P2 is out of date and poorly thought out. It feels like the switchgear of my old 2011 VW Passat but with a fairly naff tablet bolted on to look modern. The tablet is not intuitive. Google voice command is ok but it glitches half the time. Tesla voice command is better.
The centre console thing between the front seats takes up loads of space, gets in the way, boxes you in, but offers a really, really pathetic amount of usable storage.
When you indicate to change lanes, the Tesla shows a very reassuring video feed of the side of the car blind spot, the P2 does not. Shame.
Rear visibility isn't great on the Model 3 but it is even worse on the P2, it's just a load of head rests and a bit of a hint of the road beyond.
The indicator noise. OMG what is that noise? It's like a fizzing old transistor radio interference, or the buzz of electricity pylon cables after heavy rain. It would drive me mad. Can you change it?
The ride on the P2 is more jumpy compared to the Tesla on motorways, A roads and B roads, and it feels less rapid, it feels like a boring dull family saloon.
It's just not as well thought out. Thankfully though the glove box can be manually opened (not via a hidden menu or voice command).

The one thing that pleasingly surprised me as the usable boot space. The figures show it as about 100 litres less than the Tesla model 3. I brought my family suitcases along, one large (76cmx53x27) and 2 overhead locker max size (55cm x 20x35). They fill the Tesla boot. But surprisingly fit into the P2 more easily and with more space to spare. I think it has more width, and the hatchback opening is better for awkward shapes, and the vertical boot divider and straps are great.
I guess the extra volume in the Tesla' boot is the under boot, which is quite a bit bigger.

Opening the frunk in the Tesla is easy, press the on screen bonnet image. Done. In the P2 you pull a lever hidden by drivers right foot, then feel around under the narrow gap in the bonnet to find a second latch. I know it's based on an ICE platform, but that is really clunky. Thats also the reason for the enormous bulge on the rear floor where middle seat is, making it unsuitable for three people in the back,even kids really unless a really short journey or really short kids. It also presumably explains why the front centre storage is so bulky and terrible. In modern EVs one of the benefits is the lack of transmission shaft, so the floor is flat, neat and offers so much scope for space.
In the back the 2 kids liked it, and liked having their own heating control panel for heating cabin and seats, rather than it being controlled by the driver or front seat passenger.

The P2 really needs it's own EV platform. It feels like an ICE car dabbling in an EV world. I suppose that is what it is.
I can't stand Musk, but I can't swap the Tesla Model 3 for the P2 it is so inferior and outdated.
I'm test driving the Polestar 4 next week. I'm concerned about it's body width (but mirror to mirror it's about the same as the Tesla model 3 weirdly). I've seen it in the showroom, and I'm hoping it will be better than the P2.
I really wanted to like the P2, it would have been an easy swap, but honestly it is miles off the Model 3. Miles off. All hopes on the Polestar 4, save me from Musk! View attachment 34352
View attachment 34351

Edited - I sold a V60 Polestar for a Polestar 3 and deeply regret it. This thing is a steaming pile. Don't do it.

 

I sold a V60 Polestar for a Polestar 4 and deeply regret it. This thing is a steaming pile. Don't do it.

A P4? In North America? Hmmm?

 

So everyone has there opinions but there are quite a few Tesla owners on site that would most likely not agree with you based on previous comments. The thing I cant workout why would you join a forum to trash a vehicle, seems rather odd then again that could be me as bringing a suitcase on a test drive is also odd.

 

Well I think the OP has some valid points, but overall agree with your head scratch. We too are current owners of a Tesla MY and we are also seriously considering unloading it as soon as it makes sense. That said, there are definitely great qualities with Tesla cars that I wish Polestar embraced - and perhaps it is a matter of time... but as we know Polestar is on thin ice and it may be a matter of too little too late. Tesla's computers systems and UI/UX, in its simplicity and optimization, is light years ahead. It's FSD still needs more cooking, but again, it is also way ahead of all competition. MB comes closest. That Tesla chose to do away with LiDAR has had its upsides. For example, their external cameras and the software needed to rely solely on their cameras have led to a very robust, in-house built, software engineered package that is so far ahead of all manufacturers. And yet here is the wrinkle. As an example: the Polestar 3 uses NVIDIA Xavier processing system capable of 30 trillion FLOPs. The latest Tesla Model 3 uses an AMD APU/GPU package that combined yields about 10 trillion FLOPs. On paper, the P3 should be able to perform computational laps over Teslas. So why is it that its UI is just so much more crisp, advanced, and overall smoother... Software. So, overall, I do think that Tesla, being a computer on wheels, is its biggest asset.


But those Tesla wheels, that are attached to its suspension, which is attached to some seriously questionable fitment issue-laden frame and chassis is pretty darn awful. It is stiff, and rough, and not in a performance car level dynamic driving good kind of way. it is bone rattling for no apparent reason other than cost cutting. Frankly its cheapness is interpreted as genius minimalism by its uber fans, and it ls literally an emperor has no clothes moment. well that emperor is in fact, actually acting like an emperor (or worm tongue, as the case may be). and all of a sudden the gig is up. I am saddened by this because I would love for Tesla to be better; it is literally the only American car I purchased in the last 25 yrs. And it was the first EV. So it has and does quite a few things right that I wish Polestar specifically addresses. IMO Ingenlath was so wrong when he said that Polestar shouldn't be in the business of making computers on wheels. I get what he was saying, but if he (and by extension Polestar) had given just a bit more thought into the software side of their EVs, man what products they would have! Nonetheless, Polestar cars drive exceptionally well and rival German engineered cars in their poise, dynamism, and athleticism. and so here's to hoping that they get their $#it together and fix all their software-centered bugs.

 

That’s my issue with Tesla wannabe President Musk

 

Before I got my current car, I tried them all back in early 2023 which included the M3P, Ioniq 5, ID4, XC40, C40 and finally the Polestar 2 in standard dual motor Pilot Plus and then the Performance Pilot Plus. I had my wife with me and she had just bought the Volvo C40 dual motor in ultimate trim. For comfort, the Volvo's were really nice along with the ID.4. The Hyundai just didn't fit with me and then I tried the M3P. Couldn't get over how cheap it felt and I just didn't want something that looked like a melted jelly bean.
So off we went to the local Polestar dealer, drove the LRDM Pilot Plus and really liked it. It drove well and really like the fit and finish inside. Everything seemed so well put together and having a screen in front of the driver like the previous Volvo's we etsted was awesome.
But when I drove the Performance Pilot plus unit, it blew me away. This is how a good EV should drive and my wife actually encouraged me to buy it on the spot it was that good. I drove rally cars back in Europe, from Lancer Evo's to STI's to Quattros and this car is up on par with them. It disguises it's weight really well and with the Ohlins tuned right, it's a hoot to drive. I've had it now for 30000 miles and not one issue with it. I would buy another Polestar 2 PPP in a heartbeat!

Thank fcuk I didn't buy a Swasticar!

 

Most new cars one gets or test drives will always have some quirks when you're used to something else. It's just human nature to be annoyed with something different. I can recall the same going from my 2017 Volt to my P2.

I suspect if you had a P2 for 18 months and then test drove the Tesla you'd be saying something similar.

 

I get that, I'd get used to the basic old controls, and screen, I'd accept the interior design and driving differences, but some things are just not worth getting used to, like the massive bulky centre console offering just about space for one cup holder, the massive floor bump for middle seat passenger.
Hopefully they will produce a better version on an EV platform sometime which would fix that. The P4 though was superb, exactly right, but enormous for small country roads and tight parking spaces (you'd get into the space as 360 cameras are so good, but might not be able to open your door!?). Maybe too enormous. I might get one and see how it is to live with.
A P4 the size of the P2 would steal the market IMO.

 

I get that, I'd get used to the basic old controls, and screen, I'd accept the interior design and driving differences, but some things are just not worth getting used to, like the massive bulky centre console offering just about space for one cup holder, the massive floor bump for middle seat passenger.
Hopefully they will produce a better version on an EV platform sometime which would fix that. The P4 though was superb, exactly right, but enormous for small country roads and tight parking spaces (you'd get into the space as 360 cameras are so good, but might not be able to open your door!?). Maybe too enormous. I might get one and see how it is to live with.
A P4 the size of the P2 would steal the market IMO.

I'm with you on the general idea... I only have one child so don't care about the hump in the backseat, and I don't "drink and drive" so don't care about the cupholder situation - but yeah, I could use a slightly smaller center console. However, those are minor things compared to how nice it drives, a lot of which is down to the fact that it is a converted ICE car and the battery is inside that "transmission tunnel" - so we're not perched up on top of the battery like in a lot of other EVs. The only other company doing the same thing as the P2 is BMW - the i4 also has the battery in the tunnel and under the back seats meaning you have the same excellent seating position as in a gas BMW. The other two things that made the sale for me are how incredibly nice and tactile the interior is - at least with the Nappa leather package - everything you touch feels expensive and solid. I love the A/C vent controls and the volume knob and the feel of the indicator stalks. Also, the exterior is striking and after a year of ownership I still get people approaching me in parking lots to complement me on the car. I wouldn't touch a Polestar 3 or 4 because they're just way to big and fat... And there's one other thing about the P2, at least in 2024+ RWD form with the large battery - it's a range monster. It easily beats my friend's Tesla on road trips, both in real world efficiency and in charging speed (although it doesn't have as a high a max charging speed of 205kW vs 250kW, it stays higher longer with a flatter curve so total charge time if you pull in above 20% is less in the P2). I've done 800+ mile road trips in it and it makes them super easy. But yeah, I'd love it if they'd refresh the P2 on a newer platform with the same handling and range and efficiency... but maybe more cupholders and a more modern central computer system that supports Apple CarKey and wireless CarPlay like in the P3/P4. I also think the P4's landscape screen looks more useful than the portrait screens in the 2 and 3.

 

The P2 looks good, but I do prefer the Tesla's look

-lost me right about there

 

From my own experience, the Polestar 4 (P4) is the true follow-up to a Tesla Model 3 (M3), not the Polestar 2 (P2). P2 wasn’t good enough three years ago when I considered it as an M3 alternative, and frankly, it hasn’t improved since. When I visited the Polestar showroom for a P4 test drive, I sat in a new P2 out of curiosity. It felt cramped and outdated, and within seconds, I was reassured - no chance! But I knew that I wanted a Polestar!

Getting another Tesla was off the table for me, and none of VW Group's or Kia/Hyundai stable's EVs sparked any excitement, except for a fleeting crush on the Cupra Tavascan. That was until I realised its funky exterior and interior had been sabotaged by VW’s uninspiring UI, weird gear stalk, and window buttons (really VW?!), as well as an uniterested dealership! Instant turn-off. I wanted something different and the moment I laid eyes on the P4, it was love at first sight.

The P4 feels like a bigger, better-built M3, with superior interior materials and an upgraded feel. The minimalist interior, down to missing a glovebox handle, mirror adjustment switch, and most physical buttons, is reassuringly familiar. Sure, it lacks Tesla’s software wizardry, but hey, Tesla is missing a few things too (morals?).

Now, I’m eagerly awaiting delivery of my Polestar 4 LRSM later this week—or early next, if the lease company’s estimate is accurate. If all goes well, it’ll arrive on my birthday! I’ll do my best to focus on the positives... and appreciate the fact that I’m no longer driving a car made by a Nazi sympathiser.

 

P2 wasn’t good enough three years ago when I considered it as an M3 alternative, and frankly, it hasn’t improved since. When I visited the Polestar showroom for a P4 test drive, I sat in a new P2 out of curiosity. It felt cramped and outdated, and within seconds, I was reassured - no chance!

uuuh!
🔥

but anyway, you obviously have every right to be wrong... 😂

 

As a former owner of a Tesla LRDM Model 3 I will push back.

I think both cars have their pros and cons.

It is true that the interface of the Tesla is easier to navigate and generally makes more sense (i.e., comments about the lights are true) but not always . To me, having to press the screen to engage the wipers while driving less that idea, I prefer the stalk as I do not have to take my eyes off the road.

When it comes to build quality there is no comparison. I drove exclusively BMWs before my Tesla and note that the Tesla fit, finish and materials are awful by comparison. The Polestar on the other hand brings back the BMW fit, finish and materials (more or less).

 

I don't hate or dislike M3 or MUSK, but when you start by liking the look of M3, you are out of this forum.