Polestar 4 vs Volvo EX40

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Volvo EX40 a rating. 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 Volvo EX40 gets a 9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Polestar 4 stands out with panoramic roof, ventilated seats, Bowers & Wilkins audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Volvo EX40. The Volvo EX40 counters with head-up display and Harman Kardon 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 Volvo EX40 offers textile/leather blend.

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 Volvo EX40 responds with a Electric making 185kW and 420Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.

The Polestar 4 has the clear power advantage at 200kW vs 185kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Polestar 4 is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 100kWh (Polestar 4) vs 82kWh (Volvo EX40), giving WLTP ranges of 620km and 520km. DC fast charging peaks at 200kW (Polestar 4) vs 200kW (Volvo EX40).

Space & Comfort

The Polestar 4 measures 4,840mm long on a 2,999mm wheelbase, 400mm longer than the Volvo EX40 at 4,440mm (2,702mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 4 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 526L in the Polestar 4 and 536L in the Volvo EX40, giving the Volvo EX40 a 10L advantage.

For towing, the Volvo EX40 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 Volvo EX40's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 11.4 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 electricity for the Volvo EX40 about $912 a year (19 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $106 a year less for the Polestar 4.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 4) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo EX40).

Where each one leads

The Polestar 4: more power (200kW against 185kW) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($806 a year against $912).

The Volvo EX40: the lower starting price ($69,990 against $78,500) and the bigger boot with the seats up (536L against 526L).

The Verdict

Polestar 4 scores higher, 75 vs 68

The Polestar 4 scores 75 to the Volvo EX40's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 8 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Polestar 4 ahead by 25 points), energy efficiency (Polestar 4 ahead by 15 points), value (Volvo EX40 ahead by 3 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Polestar 4 costs about $106 less (16.8 kWh/100km against 19 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh).

Common questions