In an exciting display of electric vehicle performance, the Polestar 3 has emerged as the winner in a recent winter range test conducted by the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) and Motor magazine's El Prix. This annual event pits various electric vehicles against one another under challenging conditions, and this year, Polestar's SUV showcased impressive capabilities, surpassing industry rival Tesla.
The Polestar 3 achieved a remarkable 531 km in harsh winter conditions, representing only a 5.18% deviation from its WLTP rating of 561 km. In contrast, the Tesla Model 3 LR RWD, which boasts a WLTP range of 702 km, fell significantly short, completing just 548 km—about 25% less than its rated potential.
Initially, it seemed that Tesla would secure victory after its Model 3 reached 548 km. However, the Polestar 3's stop nearly 300 m ahead revealed it had actually completed more distance. Further verification uncovered that Tesla’s vehicle incorporated an additional 4.7 km in its readings for every 100 km traveled. After accounting for this margin of error, Polestar squeaked past Tesla for the top spot.
With the apparent closeness of the results, Tesla and Polestar were not the only notable performers. Both the Porsche Taycan and Kia EV3 secured the third position, each traveling 499 km, but still fell short of their claimed WLTP ranges by approximately 15%.
The El Prix winter range test evaluates electric vehicles on real-world performance in relentlessly cold conditions. This year’s track included slippery roads and an elevation gain of around 1,000 m, making the Polestar 3's performance even more commendable. Polestar’s CEO, Michael Lohscheller, expressed pride in the accomplishment, highlighting the importance of range for consumers and positioning Polestar 3 as an ideal choice for luxury SUV purchasers.
Unfortunately for other contenders, the Peugeot E-3008 struggled the most, with a disappointing 347 km—a significant 163 km shortfall against its WLTP rating. The Voyah Dream was the poorest performer overall, managing only 344 km, marking merely 71% of its advertised range. Two Peugeot models took the bottom slots, reflecting poorly on the brand in the competitive EV market.
This twelfth iteration of the range test highlighted the evolving landscape of electric vehicles as manufacturers strive to enhance both range and performance. Polestar's achievement in this challenging winter setting establishes a benchmark for future competitors in the electric vehicle industry. Below are the detailed results from the latest test:
| Vehicle | Actual Range | WLTP Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Polestar 3 | 531 km | -5% |
| Tesla Model 3 | 531 km | -24% |
| Porsche Taycan | 499 km | -16% |
| Kia EV3 | 499 km | -15% |
| BYD Tang | 482 km | -9% |
| Audi Q6 e-tron | 481 km | -22% |
| Hongqi EHS7 | 452 km | -16% |
| VW ID.7 GTX Tourer | 440 km | -23% |
| Ford Explorer | 437 km | -17% |
| BYD Sealion 7 | 436 km | -13% |
| Lotus Emeya | 436 km | -13% |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 436 km | -20% |
| XPeng G6 | 429 km | -22% |
| Porsche Macan | 429 km | -22% |
| BYD Seal U | 421 km | -16% |
| Nio EL8 | 412 km | -18% |
| BMW i5 Touring | 392 km | -21% |
| Mercedes G580 | 381 km | -14% |
| Volvo EX30 | 371 km | -21% |
| Peugeot E-5008 | 361 km | -26% |
| Mini Countryman | 355 km | -11% |
| Peugeot E-3008 | 347 km | -32% |
| Smart #3 | 346 km | -17% |
| Voyah Dream | 344 km | -29% |
Source
