Audi Q4 e-tron vs Polestar 3
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Audi Q4 e-tron scores higher, 74 vs 73
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 2 Jul 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Audi Q4 e-tron
20 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 no dataFrom
$84,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 210kW
- Energy use
- 17.4 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2021
- Boot (seats up)
- 520L
Top CarSorted Score, 74 vs 73
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Polestar 3
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$116,700
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric Motor
- Power
- 245kW
- Energy use
- 17.6 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 597L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$84,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$116,700RRP
- with the Audi Q4 e-tron's standard kit: $116,700 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
Audi Q4 e-tron 45 e-tron
$84,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 4 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $369 a week in repayments ($84,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Polestar 3 Rear Motor
$116,700
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 1 July 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $516 a week in repayments ($116,700 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Audi Q4 e-tron starts $31,800 lower on RRP.
The Audi Q4 e-tron currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Polestar 3 does not: above the $91,661 fuel-efficient lct threshold.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$369/wk(≈$1,601/mo)
Estimate on the Audi Q4 e-tron at $84,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Audi Q4 e-tronDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the Audi Q4 e-tron at 5 stars (2021) and the Polestar 3 at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2021 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 93% for the Audi Q4 e-tron and 90% for the Polestar 3, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 10 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Polestar 3, against 9 on the Audi Q4 e-tron.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Audi Q4 e-tron and 9 in the Polestar 3.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the Audi Q4 e-tron and 10 on the Polestar 3.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
Audi Q4 e-tron
None open on our record
Polestar 3
- REC-006379 · published 16 Jul 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, moisture may enter the bumper wiring harness causing corrosion.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
77kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 175kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 175kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
92kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 310kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 310kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi Q4 e-tron features a 11.6-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Polestar 3 gets a 14.5-inch display and 9-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi Q4 e-tron stands out with Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Polestar 3. The Polestar 3 counters with head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats and Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Audi Q4 e-tron uses a Electric producing 210kW and 545Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed (two-stage planetary) to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.7 seconds.
The Polestar 3 responds with a Electric Motor making 245kW and 480Nm, paired to a single-speed fixed gear driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.
The Polestar 3 has the clear power advantage at 245kW vs 210kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Polestar 3 is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 82kWh (Audi Q4 e-tron) vs 92kWh (Polestar 3), giving WLTP ranges of 470km and 603km. DC fast charging peaks at 175kW (Audi Q4 e-tron) vs 310kW (Polestar 3).
Space & Comfort
The Audi Q4 e-tron measures 4,588mm long on a 2,764mm wheelbase, 312mm shorter than the Polestar 3 at 4,900mm (2,985mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 520L in the Audi Q4 e-tron and 597L in the Polestar 3, giving the Polestar 3 a 77L advantage.
For towing, the Polestar 3 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Audi Q4 e-tron's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 11.2 m against 11.8 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Audi Q4 e-tron costs about $835 a year (17.4 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Polestar 3 about $845 a year (17.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $10 a year less for the Audi Q4 e-tron.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi Q4 e-tron) and 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 3).
Where each one leads
The Audi Q4 e-tron: the lower starting price ($84,900 against $116,700) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($835 a year against $845).
The Polestar 3: more power (245kW against 210kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (597L against 520L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 1,000kg).
The Verdict
Audi Q4 e-tron scores higher, 74 vs 73
The Audi Q4 e-tron scores 74 to the Polestar 3's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 9 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: value (Audi Q4 e-tron ahead by 11 points), practicality (Polestar 3 ahead by 8 points), performance (Polestar 3 ahead by 5 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Audi Q4 e-tron costs about $10 less (17.4 kWh/100km against 17.6 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 520L in the Audi Q4 e-tron, 597L in the Polestar 3.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$369/wk(≈$1,601/mo)
Estimate on the Audi Q4 e-tron at $84,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Audi Q4 e-tronDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi Q4 e-tron and Polestar 3?
The Audi Q4 e-tron is the cheapest at $84,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 3 by $31,800.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Polestar 3 has the most range at 603km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Polestar 3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 310kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi Q4 e-tron holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2021) and Polestar 3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2021 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Polestar 3 has the largest boot at 597L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Polestar 3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Polestar 3 makes the most power at 245kW. The Polestar 3 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.5s.
Track the Audi Q4 e-tron & Polestar 3
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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