Polestar 2 vs Hyundai IONIQ 6
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Polestar 2
From $66,400
Sedan
Electric
Electric Motor
220kW
—
5★ ANCAP
407L
Hyundai IONIQ 6
$65,500 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
Sedan
Electric
Electric
111kW
—
ANCAP: no data
401L
Hyundai IONIQ 6: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h, warranty and ground clearance, plus 1 other.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Track the Polestar 2 & Hyundai IONIQ 6
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Price Breakdown
The Polestar 2 starts from $66,400 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai IONIQ 6 opens at $65,500. That makes the Hyundai IONIQ 6 the more affordable entry point by $900.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $73,040 and $72,050 respectively.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
82kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 205kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 205kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
53kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.5kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Polestar 2 features a 11.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai IONIQ 6 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Polestar 2 stands out with panoramic roof and heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the Hyundai IONIQ 6. The Hyundai IONIQ 6 counters with V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Polestar 2 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Hyundai IONIQ 6 offers premium cloth.
Drivetrain
The Polestar 2 uses a Electric Motor producing 220kW and 490Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed fixed gear to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.2 seconds.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 responds with a Electric making 111kW and 350Nm, paired to a single speed reduction gear driving the rear wheels.
The Polestar 2 has the clear power advantage at 220kW vs 111kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 82kWh (Polestar 2) vs 53kWh (Hyundai IONIQ 6), giving WLTP ranges of 659km and 429km.
Space & Comfort
The Polestar 2 measures 4,606mm long on a 2,735mm wheelbase, 249mm shorter than the Hyundai IONIQ 6 at 4,855mm (2,950mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai IONIQ 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 407L in the Polestar 2 and 401L in the Hyundai IONIQ 6, giving the Polestar 2 a 6L advantage.
For towing, the Polestar 2 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 750kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.5m diameter
Average
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Polestar 2 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Polestar's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai IONIQ 6 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Polestar 2 takes 5 of 7 key spec categories. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Polestar 2 and Hyundai IONIQ 6?
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is the cheapest at $65,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 2 by $900.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Polestar 2 has the most range at 659km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Polestar 2 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 205kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Polestar 2 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Hyundai IONIQ 6, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Polestar 2 has the largest boot at 407L.
Which can tow the most?
The Polestar 2 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Polestar 2 makes the most power at 220kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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