Tesla Model Y vs Polestar 2: 5-year cost to own (UK)
Over 5 years in the UK (12,000 mi/yr), as of August 6, 2026, the Polestar 2 stays the cheaper car to own — about £46,757 vs £49,811 for the Tesla Model Y, a £3,054 difference over 5 years. The UK Electric Car Grant is shown separately, not in these totals.
UK Electric Car Grant: up to £3,750 off the price of an eligible new EV (RRP ≤ £37,000, applied by the dealer). Shown for reference; not included in the totals above. Source: GOV.UK Electric Car Grant.
Cheaper to own over 5 years · UKPolestar 2 · £46,757 total · £3,054 less than the Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model Y vs Polestar 2 — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · Tesla Model Y | Electric · Polestar 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | £30,374 (61%) | £28,030 (60%) |
| Charging / fuel | £5,508 (11%) | £5,508 (12%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~£661) | 12% (~£661) |
| Maintenance | £1,500 (3%) | £1,500 (3%) |
| Insurance | £2,780 (6%) | £2,780 (6%) |
| Financing interest | £8,649 (17%) | £7,939 (17%) |
| Registration & fees | £1,000 (2%) | £1,000 (2%) |
| Total cost of ownership | £49,811 | £46,757 |
When does the Tesla Model Y win?
The Polestar 2 holds a slim £3,054 lead over 5 years — a close result, but a real one at these rates and distances.
No realistic annual distance flips this verdict — the Polestar 2 stays the cheaper car at every distance we model.
What decides the Tesla Model Y vs Polestar 2 verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: £30,374 on the Tesla Model Y against £28,030 on the Polestar 2, a £2,344 gap in the Polestar 2's favor — the largest slice of the £3,054 verdict. On the Tesla Model Y, depreciation alone is 61% of its £49,811 total; on the Polestar 2 it is 60% of £46,757.
- Financing interest: Tesla Model Y £8,649, Polestar 2 £7,939 — £710 more in the Polestar 2's favor.
Not one major line falls the Tesla Model Y's way — every row of the table above the £100 noise floor lands in the Polestar 2's favor. At the dealer the Tesla Model Y starts £3,780 behind the Polestar 2; running costs claw back £726 of that, but the Polestar 2 still ends £3,054 ahead. The Polestar 2 is ahead by £1,190 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — £3,054 by year 5.
Tesla Model Y vs Polestar 2, side by side
Tesla Model Y
- 5-yr total cost
- £49,811
- Cost / month
- £830
- Cost / mile
- £0.83
- RRP
- £48,990
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 23.8 kWh/100mi
Polestar 2
- 5-yr total cost
- £46,757
- Cost / month
- £779
- Cost / mile
- £0.78
- RRP
- £45,210
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 23.8 kWh/100mi
- UK electricity
- 26.11p/kWh Ofgem
- UK petrol
- £1.53/litre GOV.UK