Hyundai IONIQ 9 vs Polestar 4

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

Both the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Polestar 4 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2025. Adult occupant protection scored 84% for the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and 92% for the Polestar 4.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 10 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Hyundai IONIQ 9, 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 10 in the Hyundai IONIQ 9 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 Hyundai IONIQ 9 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-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 Hyundai IONIQ 9 stands out with head-up display, V2L and Bose audio — features our data doesn't list for the Polestar 4. The Polestar 4 counters with Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Hyundai IONIQ 9 gets nappa leather upholstery while the Polestar 4 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and 2-zone in the Polestar 4.

Drivetrain

The Hyundai IONIQ 9 runs a pure electric powertrain producing 314kW and 700Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed reduction gear to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.2 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 Hyundai IONIQ 9 has the clear power advantage at 314kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Hyundai IONIQ 9 is 1.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 110.3kWh (Hyundai IONIQ 9) vs 100kWh (Polestar 4), giving WLTP ranges of 600km and 620km. DC fast charging peaks at 350kW (Hyundai IONIQ 9) vs 200kW (Polestar 4).

Space & Comfort

The Hyundai IONIQ 9 measures 5,060mm long on a 3,130mm wheelbase, 220mm longer than the Polestar 4 at 4,840mm (2,999mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai IONIQ 9 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 338L in the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and 526L in the Polestar 4, giving the Polestar 4 a 188L advantage. The Hyundai IONIQ 9 seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Hyundai IONIQ 9 leads with a 2,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 1,000kg 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

At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Hyundai IONIQ 9 costs about $989 a year (20.6 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 $183 a year less for the Polestar 4.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai IONIQ 9) and 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 4).

Where each one leads

The Hyundai IONIQ 9: more power (314kW against 200kW) and the higher braked towing limit (2,500kg against 1,500kg).

The Polestar 4: the lower starting price ($78,500 against $113,205), the bigger boot with the seats up (526L against 338L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($806 a year against $989).

The Verdict

Polestar 4 scores higher, 75 vs 73

The Polestar 4 scores 75 to the Hyundai IONIQ 9's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 11 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Polestar 4 ahead by 26 points), performance (Hyundai IONIQ 9 ahead by 26 points), value (Polestar 4 ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Polestar 4 costs about $183 less (16.8 kWh/100km against 20.6 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 338L in the Hyundai IONIQ 9, 526L in the Polestar 4.

Common questions