Spec battle: 2026 Polestar 2 AWD vs 2025 Tesla Model 3 Performance and MG IM5 AWD

Thinking about getting a performance electric sedan? With more EV options emerging, the market-leading Tesla Model 3 is not necessarily the be all and end all. There’s the MG IM5 for a start, which barely trails the Tesla when it comes to acceleration. 

And, the 2026 Polestar 2 Performance has just got an upgrade, powered by a new chipset for faster infotainment performance, a new sandy “Dune” colour choice and tinting on the rear windows and tailgates. With Polestar’s Pilot Pack now included as standard, the Performance version also sees the return of 600W 13-speaker Harmon Kardan sound. While there are no additional upgrades to its performance – it still does the 0-100 spring in 4.2 seconds – how does it measure up to rivals like the Tesla Model 3 Performance and newly landed MG IM5 AWD? 

Pricing and variants 

The 2026 Polestar 2 AWD Performance is priced at $85,080 before on-roads, up from $80,380 in 2024. This includes the Performance Pack which is only available with the dual motor Polestar 2. This $8980 package brings a performance software upgrade (more on that later), 20-inch performance wheels, refined chassis engineering and adjustable dampers (more on that later also.) On top of that, you get fancy gold seatbelts, which are a standout visual accent. To get the Performance Pack, Polestar also now mandates the $4700 Plus Pack which includes a panoramic roof, the returned Harman Kardon premium sound, fully electric power seats and an advanced air filtering system.  

Tesla’s Model 3 Performance, on the other hand, starts at $80,900 before on-roads, positioning it below the Polestar but slightly above the MG IM5 Performance AWD at $77,990. The Polestar’s higher ticket puts it in a slightly different league, but the Tesla’s premium over the MG is modest enough that value-conscious buyers may still lean its way – dependent of course on specs and additional features, which we’ll take a look at. 

Performance and range

On paper, Tesla’s dual-motor sedan takes the crown for outright speed, dispatching the 0–100km/h sprint in 3.1 seconds, even though it has the lowest power output (343kW). While the Model 3’s actual torque is kept a secret by Tesla, the estimated 740Nm is driving this remarkable figure. Matched with Tesla’s Track Mode which ups the ante on suspension and control, this promises oodles of adrenaline-filled fun (preferably actually on a track). 

It edges out the MG IM5’s 3.2 seconds, which dishes out 200kW on the front axle and 372kW on the rear, plus a formidable 302/500Nm. The IM5 also gets individual four-wheel steering control which enables “crab mode”, which allows it to wiggle out of a tight spot without turning the car’s body. 

The Polestar trails with a more sedate 4.2 seconds thanks to 568kW/350Nm, and doesn’t have any special performance modes apart from a driving mode to allow greater power when driving. It does get Brembo brakes however, and for most drivers, the Polestar AWD will easily be brisk enough. 

Battery sizes also vary: MG offers the largest pack at 100kWh, delivering 575km of WLTP range. Tesla balances an 80kWh pack with 520km, while Polestar sits in the middle with 82kWh and 568km. The spread isn’t huge, but its worth noting that the Polestar does more with its 82kWh battery pack than the IM5’s 100kWh. Those who spend more time on highways may appreciate the MG’s stamina, but will charging that extra 18kWh prove a niggling pain? 

Important to note also is that all have NMC batteries, meaning that manufacturer’s recommend only charging to 80 per cent most of the time. Charging up to 100 per cent is OK for the odd long distance trip. 

Charging and practicality 

When it comes to DC charging, the MG IM5 is ahead of the pack, with a 396kW top charge peak that dwarfs the Tesla’s 250kW and the Polestar’s 205kW. That makes it the fastest to recover those kilometres and top up that larger battery on a long trip, at least in theory – the fastest DC public chargers in Australia currently sit at 350kW, but many have a top charge rate well below that.  

All three models share the familiar Type 2/CCS2 plug set-up, and AC charging tops out at 11kW across the board. 

Practicality is a mixed bag. Tesla’s cargo space is well thought out, with 594 litres in the boot plus an 88-litre frunk. But its seat-down capacity lags, compared to the MG which offers more overall capacity with 457 litres up to 1290 litres with seats down, though the frunk is only 18 litres. The Polestar lands somewhere in between with 407–1097 litres and a 43-litre frunk. 

Towing is evenly matched: both Polestar and MG offer 750kg unbraked and 1500kg braked ratings, while the Tesla trails with 750kg and 1000kg respectively. 

Size 

The MG IM5 is the heaviest and largest of the three, tipping the scales at 2298kg. Polestar is next at 2105kg, with Tesla the lightest at 1844kg. These figures give Tesla the edge in agility and efficiency, while MG’s weight hints at a more planted but possibly less nimble ride. 

Connectivity and comfort 

All three offer the expected tech and creature comforts, but there are nuances. Polestar plays its hand with a premium Scandinavian-inspired interior, a point strengthened by the 2026 upgrade that adds refinements to infotainment and driver assistance software. It does not, however, offer ventilated seats like its rivals, and it only offers wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The Tesla Model 3 Performance gets both heated and ventilated front seats, and comes with the standard panoramic roof across the range. It also, like the rest of the range, gets a second infotainment screen in the back row for the comfort of passengers - but in a polarising move, isn’t compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The MG IM5 sets itself apart with heated seats front and back, and also with a 6.6kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, making it useful for powering appliances or tools. Neither Tesla nor Polestar offers V2L at this point. 

All three get 20-inch sports wheels in some form or another, ensuring nimble performance on the black stuff.

Warranty and ownership costs 

Tesla’s new vehicle warranty runs for four years or 80,000km, with the battery and drive unit covered for eight years or 160,000km. MG steps up with a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, though its battery cover is shorter at seven years or 150,000km. Polestar sits in the middle with five years unlimited kilometre cover, backed by the same eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty as Tesla. 

Running costs show a spread too, based on ADR efficiency figures from the Green Vehicle Guide. Tesla’s annual cost to run is the lowest at $791, followed by MG at $937. Polestar is the thirstiest of the three at $1,197 a year, assuming 14,000km driven and an average electricity price of $0.36 per kWh. These figures may shift in the real world depending on driving style, charging mix and electricity tariffs, but they highlight meaningful differences between models. 

Source: Green Vehicle Guide. Assumptions include efficiency according to ADR 81/02 lab tests, driving 14,000km a year, with an average cost of $0.36c/kWh. 

Verdict: Which one should you buy? 

Choosing between these three performance EV sedans ultimately comes down to priorities. 

If outright speed is what gets your pulse racing, the Tesla Model 3 Performance remains the weapon of choice. Its 3.1-second sprint to 100km/h, combined with track-focused software and the lightest kerb weight of the trio, makes it the sharpest tool in the shed. Add to that the lowest running costs and strong charging infrastructure, and it still feels like the benchmark for driver engagement. 

The MG IM5, however, is the disruptor. It offers the biggest battery and longest WLTP range, as well as the most powerful motor setup. Its V2L capability and class-leading DC charging peak also give it real-world flexibility that Tesla and Polestar don’t yet match. The trade-off is weight, which could dull its handling finesse, but at $77,990 it punches hard on value for money. 

Polestar, meanwhile, isn’t trying to win on raw numbers. Instead, it leans on premium design, engineering finesse and Scandinavian flair. The latest 2026 upgrade strengthens its case with better software, the Pilot Pack as standard and a return of Harman Kardon audio. It’s slower off the line and thirstier than its rivals, but for buyers who want a refined, stylish alternative with solid performance credentials, it makes sense – provided you can stomach the higher entry price.