Polestar 2 vs Toyota Camry
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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.
Price Breakdown
The Polestar 2 starts from $62,400 before on-road costs, while the Toyota Camry opens at $39,990. That makes the Toyota Camry the more affordable entry point by $22,410.
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 $68,640 and $43,989 respectively.
The Polestar 2 qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Toyota Camry, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the Polestar 2 and Toyota Camry hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 92% for the Polestar 2 and 95% for the Toyota Camry.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Polestar 2 packs more ADAS features with 8 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 7 in the Toyota Camry.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Polestar 2 and 8 in the Toyota Camry.
Feature Showdown
The Polestar 2 features a 11.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Toyota Camry gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Polestar 2 stands out with Apple CarPlay, power tailgate and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Toyota Camry. The Toyota Camry counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Polestar 2 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Toyota Camry offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Polestar 2 uses a Electric Motor producing 200kW and 490Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed fixed gear to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds.
The Toyota Camry responds with a 2.5L 4-cyl Dual VVT-i Hybrid making 170kW and 221Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.1 seconds.
The Polestar 2 has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 170kW. In the real-world sprint, the Polestar 2 is 1.7s 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, 314mm shorter than the Toyota Camry at 4,920mm (2,825mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Camry generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 407L in the Polestar 2 and 524L in the Toyota Camry, giving the Toyota Camry a 117L advantage.
For towing, the Polestar 2 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,200kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning 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
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 (Toyota Camry). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Polestar 2 if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Polestar's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Toyota Camry if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Polestar 2 takes 4 of 6 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Toyota Camry has a clear edge. 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 Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry is the cheapest at $39,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 2 by $22,410.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Camry uses the least fuel at 4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Polestar 2 and Toyota Camry all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Toyota Camry has the largest boot at 524L.
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 200kW. The Polestar 2 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.4s.
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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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