Key Points
- The Polestar 4 is a midsize coupe-style SUV with an aerodynamic body and a sporty silhouette, while the Kia EV6 has a meaner and more aggressive appearance.
- The Polestar 4 will have a 102 kWh battery and an estimated range of over 300 miles, while the Kia EV6 has a 77.4 kWh battery with a range between 206 and 310 miles depending on the trim.
- The Polestar 4 is expected to have a starting price of around $60,000, while the Kia EV6 starts at $48,700.
As a relatively young manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs), Polestar is making a lot of ripples within the automotive industry. So far, the company has released three cars: the Polestar 1, Polestar 2, and Polestar 3. Despite the small lineup, all three cars have sparked great interest from consumers, critics, and competitors like Kia.
The Polestar 4 is one of the most anticipated EVs today. The company has already released some specifications and design aspects, and the reception has been good. Many EV enthusiasts are already curious how Polestar 4 will compare against other positively acclaimed alternatives already on the market, like the Kia EV6.
As such, this article provides a review of the Polestar 4 vs. Kia EV6, including their performance ratings, interior design, safety features, and range, among others. Let’s delve into the review.
Polestar 4 vs. Kia EV6: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Polestar 4 | Kia EV6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2024 | 2021 |
| Design Classifications | SUV | SUV |
| Horsepower | Dual Motor Trim – 544hp Single Motor Trim – 272hp | GT (e-AWD) Trim – 576hp Wind (RWD) Trim – 225hp |
| Acceleration (0-60 MPH) | 3.8 seconds (estimated) | GT (e-AWD) – 3.4 seconds Wind (RWD) – 7.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 124mph | GT (e-AWD) Trim – 161mph Wind (RWD) Trim – 115mph |
| Battery Output | 102 kWh | 77.4 kWh |
| Range | Over 300 miles (estimated) | GT (e-AWD) Trim – 206 miles Wind (RWD) Trim – 310 miles |
| Starting Price | $60,000 (estimated) | $48,700 |
Polestar 4 vs. Kia EV6: What’s the Difference?
When producing EVs, vehicle manufacturers have mostly focused on hatchbacks and sedans. However, in recent years, more companies have been making electric SUVs in response to increased consumer demand and improved EV technology, like battery output and charging options.
The Polestar 4 and the Kia EV6 perfectly exemplify this diversification in EV lineups. Below is an in-depth comparison of the Polestar 4 vs. Kia EV6 from a technical viewpoint.
Design
The Polestar 4 is the go-to vehicle if you like sporty SUVs that do not show off too much. In contrast, the Kia EV6 is the car to buy should you want an SUV with a bold, intimidating design. Let’s shed some more light on how their designs compare.
Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 is a midsize coupe-style SUV with an aerodynamic body that gives it a sporty silhouette. The aerodynamic aspects, like the gently curved roof and the slightly slanted hood, help the car achieve impressive performance.
Other notable design features include its lights. Polestar split the front lights resulting in a dual-blade design that mirrors the company’s logo. The design was a deliberate move by Polestar to remove focus from the fact the car does not have a grille. Conversely, the rear lights run across the car’s width and then drop downward slightly.
In terms of tire options, buyers can get 20-inch or 22-inch wheels. Lastly, the car does not have a rear window, opting for a rearview camera instead. This design modification allowed the designers to include a panoramic sunroof and increased rear-seat sitting space.
Kia EV6
Similarly, the Kia EV6 is a midsize coupe-style SUV with a sporty appearance. However, the EV6 has a meaner and more aggressive appearance than the Polestar 4.
That is primarily due to its front design, which consists of large LED lights that slim towards the middle of the hood and a well-designed grille. There is also a secondary grille on the car’s bumper and what seem to be air intake ducts on either side of the secondary grille.
At the back, the EV6 has a rear spoiler and lights that run across the mid-rear section to form a semicircular shape. The car also incorporates sharp lines, clean edges, and smooth curves to give the car a large appearance.
Regarding wheels, you can get 19-inch, 20-inch, or 21-inch alloy rims, depending on the trim. The variations also apply to the sunroof, which is standard in the more expensive trims.
Interior and Comfort
Based on the information provided by Polestar in its press release, the Polestar 4 will have a minimalistic interior with a contrast of light and dark tones, with the primary pop of color being the orange seat belts.
As a result, the Polestar 4 has a spacious feel to it compared to other midsize SUVs. According to Polestar, the lack of a rear window on the Polestar 4 helped contribute to the car’s airy interior by allowing the manufacturer to set the rear seats further back than in other SUVs.
In addition, the Polestar 4 has a full-length glass roof, allowing ample light to fill the interior cabin and add the illusion of spaciousness. We cannot definitively state how comfortable one would feel inside the car because it has yet to hit the market.
However, the assumption is the comfort levels are similar, if not better, than those in the Polestar 2, based on features like Nappa leather upholstery, reclining rear seats, and solar system-inspired ambient lighting.
On the other hand, the Kia EV6 has a cozy interior designed around the E-GMP platform. As a result, the car has a flat floor, making it easier for the driver and passengers to enter and exit the car.
The EV6 also has giga-steel seats that help maximize interior space. However, those seated in the rear seats may feel slightly cramped.
The EV6 also has multi-colored LED lights for ambient lighting. Moreover, the availability of a sunroof depends on the EV6 trim you purchase. The EV6 Wind trims only get sunroofs as options, while they are standard for the GT-Line and GT trims.
Performance
The Polestar 4 will be available in two trims: a long-range single-motor trim and a long-range dual-motor trim. The long-range single motor will run on a rear-wheel drive (RWD) drivetrain with an output of 272hp, while the long-range dual motor will run on an all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain that will produce 544hp.
Polestar has yet to release other long-range single-motor performance metrics, such as acceleration. However, the long-range dual motor will be the fastest Polestar yet, with an acceleration of zero to sixty miles per hour in 3.8 seconds.
©Oasishifi/Shutterstock.com
The Kia EV6 is available in five trims with varying power outputs and speeds. The base trim is the RWD Wind with a power output of 225hp and acceleration of 7.2 seconds from 0-60mph. The second trim is the AWD Wind, which puts out 320hp and takes 5.1 seconds to reach 60mph.
Next is the RWD GT-Line, which has 225hp and gets to 60mph in 7.2 seconds, while the AWD GT-Line puts out 320hp and accelerates from 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds. The last trim is the high-performance GT which is only available with an AWD drivetrain. The GT produces 576hp and goes from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds.
Range and Charging
Polestar is yet to provide conclusive information about the Polestar 4’s range. It has only stated the car will achieve over 300 miles on a single full charge. Charging information is also scarce.
All we know for now is that the Polestar 4 will have a 102 kWh battery on both trims. The car will also support both AC and DC charging: up to 200 kW DC charging and up to 22 kW AC charging.
However, given that the Polestar 2 takes 35 minutes to charge from 10%-80% when using a DC fast charger, consumers can expect the Polestar 4 to have similar or better charging times.
On the other hand, the Kia EV6 ranges between 206 miles and 310 miles, depending on the trim. The most powerful and most expensive trim, the GT (e-AWD), also happens to have the shortest range of 206 miles.
The second shortest range is the GT-Line (AWD) at 252 miles, followed by the Wind (AWD) trim at 282 miles. The Wind (RWD) and GT-Line (RWD) trims achieve the longest range at 310 miles.
All EV6 trims have a 77.4 kWh battery. The manufacturer expects the car to charge from 10%-80% in about 18 minutes when using a DC fast charger with a 350 kW rating.
On the other hand, a 50 kW DC fast charger takes an hour and 13 minutes to achieve the same feat. Alternatively, you can use an 11 kW AC charger which will take about 7 hours to charge from 10%-100%.
Technology and Connectivity
Android Automotive OS and the Snapdragon Cockpit platform drive the Polestar 4’s technology and connectivity features. The car has a 15.4-inch screen in landscape orientation that offers access to Google in-built features like Google Play, Google Maps, and Google Assistant.
The second screen is a 10.2-inch instrumentation display that shows speed, range, and charging figures. Lastly, it has a 14.7-inch projection area in front of the driver for the head-up display (HUD). Regarding the sound, consumers will enjoy a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system with a 1400 W amplifier.
Conversely, the Kia EV6 has a 12.3-inch dual panoramic display that offers a combined 24-inch curved screen that relays drive-related information and facilitates infotainment system navigation.
The EV6 also has an augmented reality HUD and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For sound, the car has a Meridian Premium sound system with 14 speakers.
Safety Features
Electric vehicles are synonymous with safety features, and the Polestar 4 and Kia EV6 conform to the trend. Both cars have standard safety features like airbags and safety belts. However, they also have other advanced features to promote passenger safety.
For example, the Polestar 4 has radar technology, 12 cameras, and 12 ultrasound sensors that provide real-time information about the car’s surroundings. The cameras also monitor the driver’s behaviors to ensure they are attentive on the road.
The system also sends alerts whenever the driver seems to be putting themselves at risk, for instance, by sleeping at the wheel. We must also highlight the SuperVision Advanced Driver Assistance System from Mobileye.
The system guides drivers along roads and highways to minimize collisions and accidents. Lastly, the car has a roof-mounted rear camera that widens the angle of view and helps identify blind spots.
Similarly, the Kia EV6 has numerous safety features. For example, it has a blindspot monitor that works with the Blindspot-Collision-Avoidance-Assist-Rear to steer the vehicle away from objects in the driver’s blind spot. The car also has four exterior-mounted cameras that provide surrounding views and help the driver navigate situations like parking.
In addition, the EV6 has an auto emergency braking system that helps avoid collisions with oncoming traffic, especially at intersections. Drivers will also enjoy lane-changing assist and a highway driving assist feature to help the driver maintain a safe distance from cars ahead and maintain the required speed limit.
Sustainability
As the effects of different forms of pollution become more evident, more companies are embracing sustainable production processes. For example, Kia has announced its intention to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Similarly, Polestar is committed to releasing products made through sustainable processes with sustainable raw materials.
The most obvious form of sustainability employed in the Polestar 4 and Kia EV6 is using electric motors that do not produce fumes that cause air pollution, like cars with internal combustion engines.
The Kia EV6 also incorporates eco-friendly products like vegan leather made from recycled plastics in its interior, negating the need to raise cattle and slaughter them for leather.
The Polestar 4 takes sustainability to another level by using more sustainable products than the Kia EV6. For example, its interior has tailored knit textiles made from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and upholstery made from Nappa leather, which is more sustainable and durable than conventional leather.
Moreover, the Polestar 4’s floor carpets are made from ECONYL, regenerated nylon sourced from ocean waste like fishing nets. The car also contains MicroTech vinyl, consisting of pine oil instead of crude oil.
Lastly, Polestar has made recycling the car’s materials easier by limiting the number of components with different materials and minimizing the need for sorting and separation processes before recycling.
Pricing
Price is often the biggest decision point when shopping for a car. On the one hand, prospective buyers should limit their search to cars they can afford. On the other hand, buyers must ensure the cars they settle for guarantee great value for money.
Polestar is yet to give a definitive price for the Polestar 4. However, the company intends to price it between the Polestar 2 and Polestar 3. Based on this information, the Polestar 4 will be priced at around $60,000.
In addition, Polestar offers add-on options like the Nappa Pack, Plus Pack, Plus Pro Pack, Pilot Pack, and Performance Pack, with each one increasing the price by several thousand dollars.
On the other hand, the price of the Kia EV6 depends on the trim you purchase. The Wind (RWD) is the least expensive trim, which starts at $48,700, considerably lower than the estimated starting price of the Polestar 4.
The most expensive EV6 trim is the GT (e-AWD) which starts at $61,600. The remaining trims, the Wind (e-AWD), GT-Line (RWD), and GT-Line (e-AWD), will set you back $52,600, $52,900, and $57,600, respectively.
Polestar 4 vs. Kia EV6: 6 Must-Know Facts
- The Polestar 4 has a Pilot Pack that offers lane assistance features, a Nappa Pack that adds two speakers to the front seat headrests, and a Performance Pack that improves tuning and upgrades the brakes.
- Polestar is a subsidiary of Volvo Cars, owned by Geely, a Chinese automaker.
- Polestar 4 production will begin in November 2023 in Hangzhou Bay, China.
- The Kia EV6 offers 24.4 cu ft. of cargo space with the rear seats up and 50.2 cu ft. with the rear seats folded.
- The EV6 comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for its Li-ion batteries.
- Kia Motors is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company.
Polestar 4 vs. Kia EV6: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
The Polestar 4 and Kia EV6 are equally impressive vehicles, so it is challenging to choose one between the two. However, the Polestar 4 makes that choice easier, as it is unavailable for purchase; it has yet to enter production.
Therefore, anyone hurrying to buy an EV should go for the EV6. However, the Polestar 4 will be worth the expense if you are okay with waiting.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Homerunshots/Shutterstock.com.
