BMW iX1 vs Polestar 3
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Polestar 3 scores higher, 73 vs 70
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 6 Sep 2026
BMW iX1
21 of 27 standard · 2 optional · 4 no dataFrom
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 230kW
- Energy use
- 20.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 490L
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
Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 70, but the BMW iX1 is $38,800 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$77,900RRP
- with the Polestar 3's standard kit: at least $77,900 (2 options priced only inside packages; 3 with no data, not charged)
2 added options
- Premium Audio: priced only inside the Enhancement (Z1T)
- Panoramic Roof: priced only inside the Enhancement (Z1T)
$116,700RRP
- with the BMW iX1'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
BMW iX1 xDrive30
$77,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $337 a week in repayments ($77,900 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 BMW iX1 starts $38,800 lower on RRP.
The BMW iX1 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.
Matching the Polestar 3's standard equipment means adding extra-cost options to the BMW iX1, and 2 are priced only inside packages whose price the manufacturer doesn't publish, so the true gap is larger than the sticker difference suggests.
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 ≈$337/wk(≈$1,461/mo)
Estimate on the BMW iX1 at $77,900 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 BMW iX1Driva 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 BMW iX1 at 5 stars (2022) and the Polestar 3 at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the BMW iX1 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 BMW iX1.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW iX1 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 BMW iX1 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
BMW iX1
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-005906 · published 5 Mar 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, signal interference may occur within the electronics of the brake system.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-005746 · published 8 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the front right drive shaft may become loose and detach from the eDrive.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- 1 more on the model page.
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
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 130kW 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 BMW iX1 features a 10.7-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 BMW iX1 stands out with Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Polestar 3. The Polestar 3 counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, Bowers & Wilkins audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW iX1 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Polestar 3 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the BMW iX1 and 3-zone in the Polestar 3.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW iX1 uses a Electric producing 230kW and 494Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 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 230kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW iX1 is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 64.7kWh (BMW iX1) vs 92kWh (Polestar 3), giving WLTP ranges of 578km and 603km. DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (BMW iX1) vs 310kW (Polestar 3).
Space & Comfort
The BMW iX1 measures 4,500mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 400mm 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 490L in the BMW iX1 and 597L in the Polestar 3, giving the Polestar 3 a 107L advantage.
For towing, the Polestar 3 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. 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 3's turning circle is 0.1 m tighter, 11.8 m against 11.9 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 BMW iX1 costs about $970 a year (20.2 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 $125 a year less for the Polestar 3.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW iX1) and 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 3).
Where each one leads
The BMW iX1: the lower starting price ($77,900 against $116,700).
The Polestar 3: more power (245kW against 230kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (597L against 490L), the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 1,200kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($845 a year against $970).
The Verdict
Polestar 3 scores higher, 73 vs 70
The Polestar 3 scores 73 to the BMW iX1's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 7 of the 9 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Polestar 3 ahead by 17 points), value (BMW iX1 ahead by 12 points), practicality (Polestar 3 ahead by 9 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Polestar 3 costs about $125 less (17.6 kWh/100km against 20.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 490L in the BMW iX1, 597L in the Polestar 3.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$337/wk(≈$1,461/mo)
Estimate on the BMW iX1 at $77,900 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 BMW iX1Driva 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, BMW iX1 and Polestar 3?
The BMW iX1 is the cheapest at $77,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 3 by $38,800.
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?
BMW iX1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Polestar 3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 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 BMW iX1 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.1s.
Track the BMW iX1 & 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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