Polestar 2 vs Subaru WRX
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
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.
Data checked: specs 11 Sep 2026, price 21 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
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.
$66,400RRP
- no option data for this car
$48,890RRP
- 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.
Track the Polestar 2 & Subaru WRX
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Price Breakdown
The Polestar 2 starts from $66,400 before on-road costs, while the Subaru WRX opens at $48,890. That makes the Subaru WRX the more affordable entry point by $17,510.
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 $53,779 respectively.
The Polestar 2 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Subaru WRX does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Polestar 2
- REC-006363 · published 17 Jun 2025Due to a software issue, under certain driving conditions if the vehicle’s one-pedal drive function is activated it may lead to a loss of braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-006078 · published 25 Sep 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the front passenger seat mounting bolts may not have been tightened according to specifications and could become loose or detach.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005743 · published 2 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the left front suspension ball joint may have been incorrectly attached.Year range on the notice: 2022
Subaru WRX
- REC-005484 · published 11 Aug 2022The reverse lamps may not illuminate and the rear-view reverse camera may not display the rearwards image when reversing as intended.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2021
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 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.
Feature Showdown
The Polestar 2 features a 11.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru WRX gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Polestar 2 stands out with Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru WRX. The Subaru WRX counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Harman Kardon audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Polestar 2 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Subaru WRX offers 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 Subaru WRX responds with a Petrol making 202kW and 350Nm, paired to a manual driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds.
The Polestar 2 has the clear power advantage at 220kW vs 202kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Polestar 2 is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Polestar 2 measures 4,606mm long on a 2,735mm wheelbase, 64mm shorter than the Subaru WRX at 4,670mm (2,675mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 2 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 407L in the Polestar 2 and 414L in the Subaru WRX, giving the Subaru WRX a 7L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 11.5m
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Polestar 2) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru WRX). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: —5yr (Subaru WRX).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Polestar 2 if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Polestar's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru WRX if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Polestar 2: Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 65, but the Subaru WRX is $17,510 cheaper
The Polestar 2 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (76 vs 65), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Polestar 2 ahead by 30), safety (Polestar 2 ahead by 25), practicality (Polestar 2 ahead by 12). 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 Subaru WRX?
The Subaru WRX is the cheapest at $48,890 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 2 by $17,510.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Subaru WRX uses the least fuel at 9.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Polestar 2 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Subaru WRX, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Subaru WRX has the largest boot at 414L with the seats up.
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. The Polestar 2 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.2s.
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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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