Polestar 4 vs Porsche Macan

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Porsche Macan. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

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 4 features a 15.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Porsche Macan gets a 10.9-inch display and 12.6-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Polestar 4 stands out with Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Porsche Macan. The Porsche Macan counters with head-up display and Bose audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Polestar 4 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Porsche Macan offers leather.

Drivetrain

The Polestar 4 uses a Electric Motor producing 200kW and 343Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed fixed gear to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.1 seconds.

The Porsche Macan responds with a Electric making 420kW and 955Nm, paired to a single-speed automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds.

The Porsche Macan has the clear power advantage at 420kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Porsche Macan is 3.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 100kWh (Polestar 4) vs 100kWh (Porsche Macan), giving WLTP ranges of 620km and 513km. DC fast charging peaks at 200kW (Polestar 4) vs 270kW (Porsche Macan).

Space & Comfort

The Polestar 4 measures 4,840mm long on a 2,999mm wheelbase, 35mm longer than the Porsche Macan at 4,805mm (2,893mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 4 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 526L in the Polestar 4 and 476L in the Porsche Macan, giving the Polestar 4 a 50L advantage.

For towing, the Porsche Macan 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 0.5 m tighter, 11.6 m against 12.1 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 4 costs about $806 a year (16.8 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Porsche Macan about $1,018 a year (21.2 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $212 a year less for the Polestar 4.

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

Where each one leads

The Polestar 4: the lower starting price ($78,500 against $171,100), the bigger boot with the seats up (526L against 476L), the longer warranty (5 years against 3) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($806 a year against $1,018).

The Porsche Macan: more power (420kW against 200kW) and the higher braked towing limit (2,500kg against 1,500kg).

The Verdict

Polestar 4 scores higher, 75 vs 61

The Polestar 4 scores 75 to the Porsche Macan's 61 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 10 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Porsche Macan ahead by 38 points), value (Polestar 4 ahead by 31 points), energy efficiency (Polestar 4 ahead by 30 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Polestar 4 costs about $212 less (16.8 kWh/100km against 21.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 526L in the Polestar 4, 476L in the Porsche Macan. Warranty: 5 years on the Polestar 4, 3 on the Porsche Macan.

Common questions