CUPRA Tavascan vs Polestar 4

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the CUPRA Tavascan at 4 stars (2024) and the Polestar 4 at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 89% for the CUPRA Tavascan and 92% for the Polestar 4, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the CUPRA Tavascan and 7 in the Polestar 4.

Recalls 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.

Feature Showdown

The CUPRA Tavascan features a 15-inch touchscreen paired with a 5.3-inch digital dash, 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 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 CUPRA Tavascan gets cloth upholstery while the Polestar 4 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the CUPRA Tavascan and 2-zone in the Polestar 4.

Drivetrain

The CUPRA Tavascan uses a Electric Motor producing 210kW and 545Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.8 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 CUPRA Tavascan has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the CUPRA Tavascan is 0.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 77kWh (CUPRA Tavascan) vs 100kWh (Polestar 4), giving WLTP ranges of 531km and 620km. DC fast charging peaks at 135kW (CUPRA Tavascan) vs 200kW (Polestar 4).

Space & Comfort

The CUPRA Tavascan measures 4,644mm long on a 2,766mm wheelbase, 196mm shorter 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 540L in the CUPRA Tavascan and 526L in the Polestar 4, giving the CUPRA Tavascan a 14L advantage.

For towing, the Polestar 4 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 CUPRA Tavascan's turning circle is 1.4 m tighter, 10.2 m against 11.6 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 CUPRA Tavascan costs about $888 a year (18.5 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Polestar 4 about $806 a year (16.8 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $82 a year less for the Polestar 4.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (CUPRA Tavascan) and 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 4).

Where each one leads

The CUPRA Tavascan: the lower starting price ($66,490 against $78,500), more power (210kW against 200kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (540L against 526L).

The Polestar 4: the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 1,000kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($806 a year against $888).

The Verdict

Polestar 4 scores higher, 75 vs 72

The Polestar 4 scores 75 to the CUPRA Tavascan's 72 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 10 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Polestar 4 ahead by 12 points), safety (Polestar 4 ahead by 8 points), performance (CUPRA Tavascan ahead by 7 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Polestar 4 costs about $82 less (16.8 kWh/100km against 18.5 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh).

Common questions