Kia EV5 vs. Hyundai Polestar 2: Which is the better buy? EVs as a whole allow manufacturers to throw out the book when it comes to automotive design. You aren’t constrained by concepts like airflow and fuel lines, so the sky is the limit. Kia’s EV5 is one such vehicle, building upon the Korean auto manufacturer’s successes while pushing in a bold new direction.
The Polestar 2 is also a notable departure from the classic lines and stylings of its Volvo roots. The EV market has been steadily heating up over the last few years, and it is no longer dominated by Tesla’s various output. If you’re on the hunt for a new EV, Kia and Polestar might be worth a look.
Kia EV5 vs. Polestar 2: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Specs | Kia EV5 | Polestar 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Trims Available | Standard, Long-Range, and Long-Range AWD | Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD, Long Range with Performance Pack |
| Estimated Range | 329 to 453 miles depending on motor and drivetrain configuration | 276 to 320 miles depending on motor and drivetrain configuration |
| Estimated Horsepower | 215 to 308HP | 295 to 416HP |
| Drivetrain | FWD or AWD | RWD or AWD |
| Battery Capacity | 64 to 88 kWh | 75 to 79kWh |
| Towing Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Miles Per Gallon Equivalent | N/A | 94 to 98 MPGe |
| 0 to 60 | N/A | 5.9 seconds with single-motor, 4.1 seconds with dual-motor |
| MSRP | Starts at $40,000 | Starts at $51,300 |
Kia EV5 vs. Polestar 2: What’s the Difference?
The Kia EV5 isn’t in active production, so many of the specs listed here are going to be tentative or gleaned from press releases. However, here are the differences we know of so far.
Performance
©Arjan Kemeling/Shutterstock.com
When it comes down to overall performance, the Polestar 2 currently has the edge. Currently, the EV5 is little more than a concept without a viable testbed. What is known is that the EV5 should have comparable battery capacity to previous Kia EVs. This doesn’t do much to separate it from some of the better options on the market.
To really set itself apart, the EV5 would need to couple its average performance with some exceptional range. Kia press releases suggest that the standard EV5 with the 64kWh battery pack and 160kW motor is estimated to have a range of 329 miles per the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) standards. On the long-range model, the 88kWh battery with the same motor is predicted to reach for a staggering 453 miles. However, this remains to be seen as the vehicle is not on the market yet.
The Polestar 2 is a fairly nimble crossover vehicle. It has great overall performance, with top trim levels topping out well over 400 horsepower. The range is admirable, with long-range single-motor trim options getting well over 300 miles on a single charge. Of course, you’ll have to opt for the larger battery pack to get that out of the EV.
Performance is quite impressive when considering the Polestar 2. It carries similar features as the Volvo line of EVs, but with a more able level of power to make highway driving an absolute breeze. The dual-motor option is the way to go if you’re after raw power, but the single-motor configuration offers stable performance and exceptional range.
Tax Credit Eligibility
The Kia EV5 isn’t intended for American sales, so eligibility for the tax credit isn’t going to happen. On the off-chance that you’re willing to go through the rigors of importing a car, then it would qualify for tax credits when installing a dedicated charging station. It might also qualify for incentives depending on your area.
However, when it comes down to it, you’d really just be better off buying a different EV. The cost of importing could just net you a far better EV that is made domestically.
The same lack of tax credits also applies to the Polestar 2. The current federal tax rebate for EVs is only applicable to domestically produced vehicles. As such, you’ll want to go for a different brand if saving some extra money is important.
As we noted, you can still obtain the tax credit for installing a dedicated charging station in your home. However, that is applicable to any EV on the market currently. When you consider it’s only $1000 of the cost of the utility, that isn’t nearly as substantial as the $7500 garnered from buying domestic.
Design
When it comes to overall design, it’s hard not to take notice of the EV5. The EV6 introduced the sleek stylings of the Kia EV line, and the EV5 has further refined it. When looking at the exterior, you’re greeted with a very streamlined appearance. The headlights are less conventional, with small triangular lights at each front corner flowing into a single bar that works in conjunction with the running lights.
The interior reflects comfort but is still highly unconventional. Kia’s seating arrangement for the front is more akin to a bench, with minimal separation between the driver and passenger. The steering wheel also has an unusual, yet thoroughly modern appearance. The second-row seat can fold down completely flat, and there’s even a rear console refrigerator/warmer.
The Polestar 2 hews more closely to conventional vehicle styling. You can definitely see the Volvo influence, which makes sense as Polestar is a subsidiary. This compact SUV definitely looks the part but doesn’t do much to differentiate itself from other vehicles on the road.
Exterior-wise, the Polestar 2 is fairly slick. The taillights resemble the same unified light approach seen on the Kia EV5. The front is a different story with separate headlights and running lights in place.
When looking at the interior, the layout is far more conventional. The seats are comfortable, the control clusters are where you’d expect. While this vehicle is designed from the ground up as an electric, it still carries the same touches you might expect of a traditional combustion engine vehicle.
If you’re going solely off the design, the EV5 is one of the most unique vehicles in terms of overall appearance.
Safety Features
The Kia EV5 comes with a full suite of security features meant to make driving a safe and comfortable experience for both drivers and passengers. Autonomous driving isn’t fully on the table, but Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2 helps maintain optimal distance, keeps the vehicle centered in the lane, and helps when changing lanes as needed.
Kia’s latest EV also comes with the Remote Smart Parking Assist 2. This helps drivers to park their vehicles, even in tight spaces, without the need for any sort of driver input. The standard safety suite features might expect like rear cross-traffic alerts and collision detection are also present. For their latest EV, Kia does seem to be pulling out the stops for a thoroughly modern experience.
The Polestar 2 also has some concrete info on its safety features. When it comes to overall safety, you’re in good hands with Polestar. You can definitely see the Volvo influence bleed through in the features incorporated in the Polestar 2. It comes with automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection.
Also included is adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Polestar does have an autonomous driving platform available in the form of Pilot Assist. This is similar to offerings from Volvo and is intended primarily for highway driving.
Warranty Coverage
.
©Mario Puskar/Shutterstock.com
Kia has solid warranty coverage. It isn’t on par with the likes of Hyundai, but it is quite close. The EV5 should carry the same standard warranty package as other Kia EVs. As such you can expect five years or 60,000 miles of coverage for the limited warranty.
It will also come with a powertrain warranty covering up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Unlike Hyundai, you won’t find any complimentary scheduled maintenance covered in the warranty package. However, that is more of a rarity than the norm when it comes to EV warranties.
The Polestar 2 has a very average warranty package. Its closest equivalent comes in the form of Tesla, as you’ll see in the coverage provided. The limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles. All electrical components like the powertrain and battery have eight years or 100,000 miles of coverage.
Like Kia, the Polestar 2 doesn’t come with any complimentary scheduled maintenance as part of the package. While this is disappointing, it is more of an exception to have it included than the norm.
Kia EV5 vs. Polestar 2: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The Kia EV5 is intended for sale in China, South Korea, Canada, and Mexico.
- Currently, there are no plans to sell the Kia EV5 in the United States.
- The Polestar 2 uses Android Automotive OS as its infotainment operating system.
- The Polestar 2 comes with Harman/Kardon speakers by default.
- The Polestar 2 is available in RWD or AWD configurations.
Kia EV5 vs. Polestar 2: Which One is Better? Which One Should You Choose?
So, which of these EVs is the winner? This isn’t really much of a contest when it gets down to it. The Polestar 2 is the only one of these choices that is readily available for purchase and can be bought by American citizens. While there are numerous options on the market for EVs, the Polestar 2 is a rather compelling choice.
It brings forward the same care for detail seen in Volvo’s EVs in a sportier package. Performance in even the default configurations is rock solid, and the extended battery pack gives it a considerable amount of range for longer trips.
When it comes to design, the EV5 is certainly the most unique. With its multiple seating options and full-flat folding second-row seats, the interior is just as innovative as the exterior. The triangular headlights and four-spoke wheels make the square shape more dynamic than the Polestar 2, which sticks closer to conventional vehicle styling.
At the current time, there isn’t really a choice between these two EVs. The Polestar 2 is the clear winner overall, but the EV5 undoubtedly has the most unique design. Maybe as more details emerge, the EV5 might be a contender in other areas for those in the supported markets. However, if you’re an American or European resident, the Polestar 2 is the only real choice to be had at the present.
