Long have we waited. Tesla has run the EV game for the better part of the last decade, and some real challengers to the throne are finally starting to appear, like Polestar. There’s no better challenger to the dominance of the Tesla Model 3 than the 2022 Polestar 2. Math says that 3 is bigger than 2, but how does that logic apply to EVs?

Is the Tesla Model 3 worth buying?

Let’s be honest for a moment. If you’re buying a Tesla Model 3, you kinda want a status symbol, don’t you? That’s ok. I drive a BMW. We all want to feel important. Tesla does a very good job at that. Of course, the Tesla Model 3 is also a relatively affordable car. It starts at around $40,000 before options. It’ll also do anywhere from 250-350 miles on a charge.

However, there is Tesla’s ridiculously priced $10,000 “Full Self Driving Beta” software. No, it does not drive your car for you, and nor should you let it. Everyone I’ve spoken to has told me how scary it is to use, and I wouldn’t trust it to drive down my street at 5 mph. That said, autonomous software (short of adaptive cruise) is something the Polestar lacks, so points to Tesla.

The 2022 Polestar 2 comes out swinging with style

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However, if it’s looks you want, the Polestar 2 is the way to go. Not just that, but the 2022 Polestar 2 will start at a lowly $34,900, per The Drive. With both the 2022 Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3 in their lowest trim levels, the Tesla Model 3 is outpriced and out-ranged. Though, not by much. The Polestar manages to get 265 miles to the 3’s 262 miles. Frankly, they’ll be about even in the real world.

However, things get more interesting when you go to option things out. A fully loaded 2022 Polestar 2 will run you right around $64,600. That nets you premium interior finishings and sound systems, charger, sunroofs, the lot. Oh, and also adjustable Ohlin’s dampers, cool yellow seatbelts, and bigger brakes. And summer tires. The Tesla, however, is $67,000.

Tesla took an L today

That $67,000 gets you every option on the book and “Full Self-Driving.” You’ll also get nicer paint colors if you’d like, just like the Polestar. However, we know that Tesla’s quality is often lacking, and until those issues are sorted out, spec for spec, I simply cannot imagine choosing a Model 3 over a 2022 Polestar 2.

That’s certainly a loss for Tesla, but they are arguably doing more within the industry. Polestar has yet to make an EV SUV, and Tesla makes two. Three if you count the “maybe this year” Cybertruck. For now, Tesla is in serious trouble if contenders like Polestar keep coming out of the open-pore woodwork.