Polestar 4 vs Subaru Outback

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Polestar 4 at 5 stars (2025) and the Subaru Outback at 5 stars (2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2021). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 92% for the Polestar 4 and 88% for the Subaru Outback, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Polestar 4, against 6 on the Subaru Outback.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Polestar 4 and 9 in the Subaru Outback.

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 Subaru Outback gets a 12.1-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Polestar 4 stands out with wireless charging, ventilated seats, Bowers & Wilkins audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Outback. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

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 Subaru Outback responds with a Petrol making 137kW and 254Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Polestar 4 has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 137kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Polestar 4 measures 4,840mm long on a 2,999mm wheelbase, 40mm shorter than the Subaru Outback at 4,880mm (2,745mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 4 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 526L in the Polestar 4 and 530L in the Subaru Outback, giving the Subaru Outback a 4L advantage.

For towing, the Subaru Outback leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 500kg 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 Subaru Outback's turning circle is 0.5 m tighter, 11.1 m against 11.6 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 fuel for the Subaru Outback about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 4) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Outback). Capped-price servicing: no data (Polestar 4), 5 years (Subaru Outback).

Where each one leads

The Polestar 4: more power (200kW against 137kW).

The Subaru Outback: the lower starting price ($48,990 against $78,500), the bigger boot with the seats up (530L against 526L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 1,500kg).

The Verdict

Subaru Outback scores higher, 76 vs 75

The Subaru Outback scores 76 to the Polestar 4's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 4 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Polestar 4 ahead by 21 points), reliability (Subaru Outback ahead by 8 points).

Common questions