Abarth 500e vs Polestar 2
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Track the Abarth 500e & Polestar 2
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Price Breakdown
The Abarth 500e starts from $60,500 before on-road costs, while the Polestar 2 opens at $62,400. That makes the Abarth 500e the more affordable entry point by $1,900.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $66,550 and $68,640 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
37.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 85kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 85kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
69kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 180kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 180kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Abarth 500e features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Polestar 2 gets a 11.2-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Abarth 500e stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and JBL audio that you will not find on the Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 counters with Apple CarPlay, power tailgate and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Abarth 500e uses a Electric producing 113kW and 235Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7 seconds.
The Polestar 2 responds with a Electric Motor making 200kW and 490Nm, paired to a single-speed fixed gear driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Polestar 2 has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 113kW. In the real-world sprint, the Polestar 2 is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 42kWh (Abarth 500e) vs 70kWh (Polestar 2), giving WLTP ranges of 253km and 554km. DC fast charging peaks at 85kW (Abarth 500e) vs 180kW (Polestar 2).
Space & Comfort
The Abarth 500e measures 3,673mm long on a 2,322mm wheelbase, 933mm shorter than the Polestar 2 at 4,606mm (2,735mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 2 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 185L in the Abarth 500e and 407L in the Polestar 2, giving the Polestar 2 a 222L advantage. The Polestar 2 seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 11.5m
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 3 years / 150,000km (Abarth 500e) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Polestar 2). The Polestar 2 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Abarth 500e if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Abarth's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Polestar 2 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Polestar's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Polestar 2 takes 9 of 10 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Polestar 2 has a clear edge. The Polestar 2 adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Abarth 500e and Polestar 2?
The Abarth 500e is the cheapest at $60,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 2 by $1,900.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Polestar 2 has the most range at 554km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Polestar 2 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 180kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Polestar 2 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Polestar 2 has the largest boot at 407L.
Which can tow the most?
The Polestar 2 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Polestar 2 has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Polestar 2 makes the most power at 200kW. The Polestar 2 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.4s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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