Polestar 4 vs Tesla Model Y
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Tesla Model Y scores higher, 81 vs 75
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 16 Sep 2026
Polestar 4
25 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 no dataFrom
$78,500
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric Motor
- Power
- 200kW
- Energy use
- 16.8 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 526L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Tesla Model Y
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$58,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric Motor
- Power
- 255kW
- Energy use
- 14.1 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 854L
Top CarSorted Score, 81 vs 75
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$78,500RRP
- with the Tesla Model Y's standard kit: $78,500 (nothing to add)
$58,900RRP
- 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.
Price and cost per week
Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor
$78,500
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $340 a week in repayments ($78,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Tesla Model Y RWD
$58,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 16 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $249 a week in repayments ($58,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Tesla Model Y starts $19,600 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$249/wk(≈$1,080/mo)
Estimate on the Tesla Model Y at $58,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Polestar 4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
Both the Polestar 4 and Tesla Model Y hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2025. Adult occupant protection scored 92% for the Polestar 4 and 91% for the Tesla Model Y.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Polestar 4, against 8 on the Tesla Model Y.
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 8 in the Tesla Model Y.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the Polestar 4 and 8 on the Tesla Model Y.
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.
Recalls on our record
Polestar 4
None open on our record
Tesla Model Y
- REC-006419 · published 29 Aug 2025Due to a software issue, the driver side window’s automatic protection system may not operate as intended and result in the window closing with excessive force on any obstruction such as a body part.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006300 · published 3 Mar 2025Due to a software issue, the Electronic Power Assist Steering system (EPAS) may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- REC-006042 · published 1 Aug 2024Due to manufacturing defect, the bonnet latch assembly may not detect when it is opened by the driver and therefore fail to warn the driver of "open bonnet".Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2024
- 2 more on the model page.
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.
How long to charge
100kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 200kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 200kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
57.5kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 175kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 175kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Polestar 4 features a 15.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Tesla Model Y gets a 16-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Polestar 4 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Tesla Model Y. The Tesla Model Y counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Polestar 4 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Tesla Model Y offers vegan leather.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
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 Tesla Model Y responds with a Electric Motor making 255kW and 340Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
The Tesla Model Y has the clear power advantage at 255kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Tesla Model Y is 1.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 100kWh (Polestar 4) vs 60kWh (Tesla Model Y), giving WLTP ranges of 620km and 466km. DC fast charging peaks at 200kW (Polestar 4) vs 175kW (Tesla Model Y).
Space & Comfort
The Polestar 4 measures 4,840mm long on a 2,999mm wheelbase, 48mm longer than the Tesla Model Y at 4,792mm (2,890mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 4 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 526L in the Polestar 4 and 854L in the Tesla Model Y, giving the Tesla Model Y a 328L advantage.
For towing, the Tesla Model Y leads with a 1,600kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 100kg 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 Tesla Model Y about $677 a year (14.1 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $129 a year less for the Tesla Model Y.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 4) and 5 years / Unlimited (Tesla Model Y).
Where each one leads
The Polestar 4: nothing in the figures we hold puts it ahead of the Tesla Model Y.
The Tesla Model Y: the lower starting price ($58,900 against $78,500), more power (255kW against 200kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (854L against 526L), the higher braked towing limit (1,600kg against 1,500kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($677 a year against $806).
The Verdict
Tesla Model Y scores higher, 81 vs 75
The Tesla Model Y scores 81 to the Polestar 4's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 7 of the 10 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Tesla Model Y ahead by 18 points), performance (Tesla Model Y ahead by 10 points), practicality (Tesla Model Y ahead by 8 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Tesla Model Y costs about $129 less (14.1 kWh/100km against 16.8 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 526L in the Polestar 4, 854L in the Tesla Model Y.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$249/wk(≈$1,080/mo)
Estimate on the Tesla Model Y at $58,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Polestar 4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Polestar 4 and Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y is the cheapest at $58,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 4 by $19,600.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Polestar 4 has the most range at 620km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Polestar 4 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 200kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Polestar 4 and Tesla Model Y all hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2025). Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Tesla Model Y has the largest boot at 854L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Tesla Model Y has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Tesla Model Y makes the most power at 255kW. The Tesla Model Y is quickest to 100km/h in 5.9s.
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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