Polestar 3 vs Tesla Model Y Performance: premium electric SUV showdown in 2026

Some comparisons can be settled in two lines, while others demand a close look at the fine print. This one is the latter. Polestar and Tesla have been competing for the same customer for some time — the buyer who wants an electric SUV with premium aspirations but not necessarily the same selling points — and in 2026 that rivalry has become more interesting than ever.

On one hand, the Polestar 3 bets on Scandinavian exclusivity, minimalist design and a generous battery. On the other, the Tesla Model Y Performance keeps playing its usual card: more power, more range and a price that, on paper, leaves the Swedish brand in an uncomfortable position. Let’s break it down with data, not hunches.

Polestar 3 Performance: price from ≈110,300 €

The Polestar 3 in question is the Performance variant — the most complete configuration the Swedish brand offers in this bodystyle. We are talking about an all-wheel-drive SUV with a 106 kWh battery and a price starting around 110,300 € RRP, excluding discounts and aid.

It is a car that feels premium from the first contact: recycled materials of apparently high quality, careful sound insulation, and a commanding road presence. But that positioning carries an obvious toll on the final figure.

The 106 kWh battery is, in fact, considerably larger than that of today’s rival. Yet the homologated range stands at 601 km — a figure that, in our view, fits well with the cell size and the approach of the drivetrain.

Tesla Model Y Performance: price from ≈62,990 €

The Tesla Model Y Performance, in its all-wheel-drive configuration with an ≈82 kWh battery, starts at a much more affordable price: around 62,990 € RRP. And this is where the comparison starts to get uphill for Polestar.

These range figures are very similar despite a slightly smaller battery. That says a lot about the efficiency of Tesla’s software and thermal management, an area where the Californian brand has held an advantage for years — something we already analysed in detail in our Tesla Model Y review.

Power and performance: 680 CV versus 460 CV

On paper, the Polestar 3 Performance clearly wins on power: 680 CV against the 460 CV of the Model Y Performance. That is nearly 220 horsepower of difference, or 48% more gross power. In everyday driving this translates into more forceful acceleration and a constant sense of thrust that the Tesla, though quick, does not quite match in raw figures.

That said, the Polestar 3 compensates with more refined steering feel and a suspension that filters road imperfections better on Spanish asphalt. It is fast, yes, but it is not as enjoyable as a pure sports car — its vocation is different, more comfortable cruising than track work.

Real range: 601 km versus 580 km

Here the difference is small. The Polestar 3 Performance homologates 601 km against the 580 km of the Tesla Model Y Performance. For a user who frequently makes long journeys, a difference of about 20 km is not decisive.

Price and premium positioning in Spain

The Polestar 3 costs, from, about 47,000 € more than the Tesla Model Y Performance — a gap that is not explained by power or range alone, but by brand positioning, finishes and perceived exclusivity. It is debatable whether that premium pays off in purely rational terms, although for the buyer who wants to stand out from the ubiquitous Tesla on Spanish streets, the argument changes in nature.

It is worth remembering that both prices are manufacturer RRPs, without dealer discounts or one-off campaigns. Anyone buying with public aid in mind should check the current conditions of the Plan Auto+ on the official website, as amounts and deadlines change over time.

Summary table: Polestar 3 vs Tesla Model Y Performance

The score weighs power, range and price-performance ratio. The Tesla comes out ahead in objective price terms, although the Polestar regains ground on brand perception and interior quality, a factor that does not always appear in a table but that the premium buyer values — and greatly.

What is the best premium electric SUV in 2026?

If the criteria are range, power and price, the Tesla Model Y Performance clearly wins on value for money. If what you are looking for is exclusivity, Scandinavian design and a product seen less often on the road, the Polestar 3 still has arguments — although you have to pay a considerable toll for them. For anyone torn between both worlds, it is also worth reviewing our ranking of premium electric SUVs with the best value for money before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Polestar 3 cost in Spain in 2026?
The Polestar 3 Performance starts at around 110,300 € RRP, without discounts or public aid applied.

How much does the Tesla Model Y Performance cost in Spain in 2026?
It is around 62,990 € RRP, also without promotions or the Plan Auto+ deducted.

Which premium electric SUV has more range, the Polestar 3 or the Tesla Model Y Performance?
The Polestar 3 Performance homologates about 601 km against the 580 km of the Tesla Model Y Performance.

Which has more power, the Polestar 3 or the Tesla Model Y Performance?
The Polestar 3 Performance produces about 680 CV against the 460 CV of the Tesla Model Y Performance, a difference of approximately 48%.