Audi Q8 e-tron vs Polestar 4
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Polestar 4 scores higher, 75 vs 71
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 4 Aug 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Polestar 4
25 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 no dataFrom
$78,500
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric Motor
- Power
- 200kW
- Energy use
- 16.8 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 526L
Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 71
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$140,600RRP
- cannot be matched: Matrix LED Headlights, Premium Audio, Ventilated Front Seats and 1 more not offered
$78,500RRP
- no option data for this car
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 Q8 e-tron 50 e-tron SUV
$140,600
RRP when new; no longer sold new in Australia
No published drive-away price on our record.
Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor
$78,500
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $340 a week in repayments ($78,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Polestar 4 starts $62,100 lower on RRP.
The Polestar 4 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Audi Q8 e-tron 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 Polestar 4.
Finance
≈$340/wk(≈$1,473/mo)
Estimate on the Polestar 4 at $78,500 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 Polestar 4Driva 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 Q8 e-tron at 5 stars (2019) and the Polestar 4 at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2019 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the Audi Q8 e-tron and 92% for the Polestar 4, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 10 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Audi Q8 e-tron, against 9 on the Polestar 4.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 7 in the Polestar 4.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 10 of 10 key systems on the Audi Q8 e-tron and 9 on the Polestar 4.
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 Q8 e-tron
- REC-006599 · published 28 Apr 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the mounting bolts connecting the brake pedal rod and the brake servo may not have been tightened to the sufficient torque and could become loose.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2024
Polestar 4
None open on our record
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
95kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 170kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 170kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
100kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 200kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 200kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi Q8 e-tron features a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while the Polestar 4 gets a 15.4-inch display and 10.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi Q8 e-tron stands out with head-up display and Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Polestar 4. The Polestar 4 counters with panoramic roof, ventilated seats and Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi Q8 e-tron gets leather upholstery while the Polestar 4 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 2-zone in the Polestar 4.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Audi Q8 e-tron uses a Electric producing 250kW and 664Nm of torque, sent through a two-stage planetary gearbox with single gear to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7 seconds.
The Polestar 4 responds with a Electric Motor making 200kW and 343Nm, paired to a single-speed fixed gear driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.1 seconds.
The Audi Q8 e-tron has the clear power advantage at 250kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi Q8 e-tron is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 95kWh (Audi Q8 e-tron) vs 100kWh (Polestar 4), giving WLTP ranges of 491km and 620km. DC fast charging peaks at 170kW (Audi Q8 e-tron) vs 200kW (Polestar 4).
Space & Comfort
The Audi Q8 e-tron measures 4,915mm long on a 2,928mm wheelbase, 75mm longer than the Polestar 4 at 4,840mm (2,999mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 4 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 569L in the Audi Q8 e-tron and 526L in the Polestar 4, giving the Audi Q8 e-tron a 43L advantage.
For towing, the Audi Q8 e-tron leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg 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 Polestar 4's turning circle is 0.9 m tighter, 11.6 m against 12.5 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
We do not hold a like-for-like fuel or energy figure for both cars, so we do not cost them against each other.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Audi Q8 e-tron) and 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 4).
Where each one leads
The Audi Q8 e-tron: more power (250kW against 200kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (569L against 526L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,500kg).
The Polestar 4: the lower starting price ($78,500 against $140,600).
The Verdict
Polestar 4 scores higher, 75 vs 71
The Polestar 4 scores 75 to the Audi Q8 e-tron's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 9 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: value (Polestar 4 ahead by 22 points), performance (Audi Q8 e-tron ahead by 14 points), technology (Polestar 4 ahead by 12 points). Boot space with the seats up: 569L in the Audi Q8 e-tron, 526L in the Polestar 4.
Ways to buy
For the Polestar 4.
Finance
≈$340/wk(≈$1,473/mo)
Estimate on the Polestar 4 at $78,500 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 Polestar 4Driva 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 Q8 e-tron and Polestar 4?
The Polestar 4 is the cheapest at $78,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi Q8 e-tron by $62,100.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Polestar 4 has the most range at 620km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Polestar 4 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 200kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi Q8 e-tron holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2019) and Polestar 4 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2019 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 Audi Q8 e-tron has the largest boot at 569L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi Q8 e-tron has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi Q8 e-tron makes the most power at 250kW. The Audi Q8 e-tron is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
Track the Audi Q8 e-tron & Polestar 4
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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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