Polestar 3 vs Polestar 4

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

Both the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2025. Adult occupant protection scored 90% for the Polestar 3 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 Polestar 3, 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 9 in the Polestar 3 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 Polestar 3 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 9-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 3 stands out with head-up display — features our data doesn't list for the Polestar 4. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Drivetrain

The Polestar 3 uses a Electric Motor producing 245kW and 480Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed fixed gear to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.5 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 Polestar 3 has the clear power advantage at 245kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Polestar 3 is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 92kWh (Polestar 3) vs 100kWh (Polestar 4), giving WLTP ranges of 603km and 620km. DC fast charging peaks at 310kW (Polestar 3) vs 200kW (Polestar 4).

Space & Comfort

The Polestar 3 measures 4,900mm long on a 2,985mm wheelbase, 60mm longer 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 597L in the Polestar 3 and 526L in the Polestar 4, giving the Polestar 3 a 71L advantage.

For towing, the Polestar 4 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 0kg 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 0.2 m tighter, 11.6 m against 11.8 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 Polestar 3 costs about $845 a year (17.6 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 $39 a year less for the Polestar 4.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 4).

Where each one leads

The Polestar 3: more power (245kW against 200kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (597L against 526L).

The Polestar 4: the lower starting price ($78,500 against $116,700) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($806 a year against $845).

The Verdict

Polestar 4 scores higher, 75 vs 73

The Polestar 4 scores 75 to the Polestar 3's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 9 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: value (Polestar 4 ahead by 13 points), performance (Polestar 3 ahead by 12 points), energy efficiency (Polestar 4 ahead by 6 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Polestar 4 costs about $39 less (16.8 kWh/100km against 17.6 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 597L in the Polestar 3, 526L in the Polestar 4.

Common questions