Polestar 3 Narrowly Beats Tesla Model 3 in 24-EV Winter Range Challenge

Introduction: Norway’s latest El Prix winter trial delivered one of the closest finishes yet, as the Polestar 3 edged past the Tesla Model 3 in a 24-vehicle electric range challenge. Conducted by the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) and Motor magazine, the test measured how far new EVs can travel in cold, demanding conditions compared with their official WLTP ratings.

Tesla entered the event as one of the brands to beat, especially with the Model 3 LR RWD carrying a strong WLTP rating of 436 miles. However, winter conditions proved difficult, and the car ultimately finished around 24% below its official figure.

The Polestar 3, meanwhile, delivered one of the most accurate results in the field. It covered 330 miles before running out of charge, falling just 5.18% short of its 349-mile WLTP estimate. That performance was enough to make it the second-best winter result recorded in the history of the test.

The final outcome was not immediately obvious. At first, the Tesla Model 3 appeared to have won after its displayed range suggested it had traveled 341 miles. But when the Polestar 3 came to a stop nearly 984 feet farther ahead, organizers reviewed the data. Further analysis showed that the Tesla had been overestimating its distance by nearly 5%, which brought its corrected result down to 330 miles and handed Polestar the win.

Behind the top two, the Porsche Taycan and Kia EV3 shared third place after both reached 310 miles. Each came within about 15% of its official WLTP range, making them strong performers in the difficult conditions.

The El Prix test takes place twice a year in Norway and is designed to show how EVs perform in real-world winter driving. The latest route included slippery roads and an elevation gain of roughly 3,280 feet, making range consistency especially important.

Polestar welcomed the result, with CEO Michael Lohscheller emphasizing that dependable range remains a major factor for EV buyers. He added that the Polestar 3 offers a strong combination of luxury, performance, and long-distance usability for premium SUV shoppers.

At the other end of the rankings, Peugeot had a difficult showing. The E-3008 managed only 216 miles, finishing 101 miles below its WLTP estimate, while the larger E-5008 reached 224 miles, 79 miles short of its advertised range. The Voyah Dream recorded the lowest absolute distance of all, stopping after 214 miles, equal to 71% of its claimed range.

Overall, the 12th edition of the test highlighted how competitive the EV market has become, with small differences in efficiency and range estimation making a big difference in real-world results.