Key Points
- Although initially a racing brand, Polestar now has a competitive range of electric vehicles on the market.
- The Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 have excellent ranges, but the Polestar 4 is expected to have a faster charging time.
- Both models offer impressive performance, with the Polestar 4 featuring a higher power output and faster acceleration.
Electric SUVs are the new automotive trend. There are plenty of models out there, but two upcoming electric cars promise to change the EV world. Polestar’s third and fourth models haven’t hit the roads yet, but they’re already under the spotlight.
While we know pretty much all there is to know about the Polestar 3, many details about the Polestar 4 are still under wraps. This head-to-head between the Polestar 4 and the Polestar 3 highlights what we know so far and how the two compare.
Let’s get into it!
Polestar 4 vs. Polestar 3: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Polestar 4 | Polestar 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $60,000 | $83,900 |
| Drivetrain | RWD, AWD | AWD |
| Powertrain | 272 hp to 544 hp | 489 hp to 510 hp |
| Acceleration (0 to 60 mph) | 3.8 seconds (est.) | 4.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 124 mph (est.) | 130 mph |
| Range | Up to 372 miles per charge | Up to 300 miles per charge |
| Charging Speed (10% to 80%) | 20 minutes (est.) | 30 minutes |
| Cargo Capacity | 17.7 cubic feet | 17.1 cubic feet |
| Number of Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Wheel Size | 20”, 22” | 22” |
| Vehicle Type | SUV Coupe | SUV |
| Year of Release | 2024 | 2023 |
Polestar 4 vs. Polestar 3: What’s the Difference?
Established in 1996 by Flash/Polestar Racing and acquired in 2015 by Volvo, Polestar initially emerged as a racing division. Since 2017, it has been a standalone premium electric vehicle manufacturer backed by its parent organizations, Volvo and Geely.
As a standalone brand, the company launched the hybrid Polestar 1 in 2019, followed by its first fully electric vehicle, the Polestar 2, in 2021. In October 2022, the company officially unveiled its first fully electric SUV.
The Polestar 3 is currently available to pre-order and is expected to hit the roads in the second quarter of 2024. According to the brand’s timeline, the Polestar 4 is also planned to come out in 2024, although we’ll likely see it on the roads from 2025 onwards.
Is it worth the wait, or should you opt for a Polestar 3 instead? Let’s find it out.
Design
Historically, Polestar has manufactured coupes and sedans. While the Polestar 2 could be described as a tall car or low-riding SUV, the company’s first true SUV is the Polestar 3. The Polestar 4 is also an SUV, but there are crucial design differences between the two.
The 3 model is a massive vehicle characterized by a streamed roofline, dramatic wheel arches, and prominent fenders. Its exterior is stylish in a rugged way; everything about this car screams adventurous spirit.
The Polestar 4 is an SUV coupe. It is sleeker than the Polestar 3, but it offers a lower riding position. In fact, the 4 model has a ground clearance of only 6.5 inches, whereas the Polestar 3 offers a ground clearance of 8.3 inches. The curved coupe lines also translate into less headspace for the rear passengers. Headroom isn’t an issue with the Polestar 3.
Aside from exterior differences, however, both vehicles feature modern interiors. Sustainable materials and minimalist details give each SUV a high aesthetic value, and we can safely say that the Polestar 3 and 4 are likely to become Tesla‘s main competitors.
Performance
Born a racing manufacturer, Polestar knows a thing or two about performance. This fact is easily visible in its models 3 and 4, both of which feature powerful motors. The main difference is in the drivetrain, which affects the number of motors and the actual power.
The Polestar 3 only comes in AWD. Power varies from 489 horsepower in the Long Range Dual Motor to 510 horsepower in the Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack. With the Performance Pack, it achieves 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches top speeds of up to 130 miles per hour.
The Polestar 4 is offered in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive trims. The former features a single motor that outputs 272 horsepower, whereas the latter impresses with 544 horsepower. A higher power compared to the Polestar 3 translates to better acceleration (an estimated 3.8 seconds from 0 to 60 mph) but not necessarily to better top speed. In fact, while this vehicle hasn’t been tested on the road yet, rumors claim its top speed won’t exceed 124 miles per hour.
Range and Charge Time
A crucial feature in EVs is the actual range and charge time, especially if you love road trips or plan to tackle the wilderness in your electric SUV. Both the Polestar 3 and the Polestar 4 deliver impressive ranges that compete with or surpass the Tesla Model Y, but the automaker is still behind Tesla regarding the charge time.
In detail, the Polestar 3 can go up to 300 miles per charge. Recharging at a fast-charging station requires about 30 minutes, or you’ll have to wait several hours at standard outlets. The Polestar 4 can take you farther with its 375 miles of operational range, but only if you opt for the single-motor variant. The AWD version has the same operational range seen in the Polestar 3.
The difference should be the charge time. While we don’t have the official numbers for the Polestar 4, the new SUV coupe is expected to go from 10 to 80 percent of charge in about 20 minutes. While better than the Polestar 3, charging is still slower compared to Tesla vehicles, which only need about 15 minutes to charge to 80 percent.
©JustAnotherCarDesigner, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons – License
User Interface
One thing that remains the same between the upcoming Polestar models is the user interface. Both vehicles use the latest Google-based system that provides easy access to Google Maps, Google Play, and voice control via Google Assistant.
However, the infotainment hardware is not the same. The Polestar 3 features a vertical 14.5-inch touchscreen display similar to the infotainment screens seen in Volvo cars. Instead, the Polestar 4 features a horizontal 15.4-inch screen.
Both vehicles feature separate digital gauge cluster displays of 9.0 inches in the Polestar 3 and 10.2 inches in the Polestar 4. In the latest model, the digital gauge info can also be projected onto a 14.7-inch head-up display — an option that isn’t offered in the Polestar 3.
The audio systems are impressive in both SUVs, but the Polestar 3 has the upper hand in this aspect. This vehicle comes with a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo system as standard, even if it will likely become part of the Plus Package after the model’s first year. In its standard version, the Polestar 4 features a 12-speaker Harman/Kardon. Bonus speakers can bring the total count up to 16, but the overall audio quality of the Polestar 3 remains unmatched.
Safety
Perhaps the most striking difference between the Polestar 4 and all other electric SUVs, including the Polestar 3, is the advanced safety system found in the model 4. In this model, the automaker ditches the rear window and replaces it with a dual rear camera.
The captured images are displayed on a digital rearview mirror, so driving the Polestar 4 won’t feel radically different from driving any other car. However, the wider viewing angle resulting from the placement of the cameras increases the visual field and reduces blind spots, increasing safety while managing incoming traffic or reverse maneuvers.
Other safety features include lane keep and lane departure assistance and adaptive cruise control with hands-free mode. These features are also found in the Polestar 3.
Comfort
Polestar has decked out its SUV models with plenty of luxury features, including panoramic sunroofs, heated front seats, and automatic climate control systems. Both vehicles feature minimalist interiors, while the materials used are eco-friendly and sustainable.
The Plus package of the Polestar 3 also features niceties, such as soft-close doors and a power-adjustable steering wheel. Both SUVs also feature two driver profiles that save the position of the seat, steering wheel, one-pedal drive, and mirrors. Once a profile is saved, the car recognizes who’s approaching it and loads the relevant profile automatically.
A highlight of the Polestar 4 is the interior lighting that floods the cabin in a soft light. On the downside, the cargo space of just over 17 cubic feet is rather small for an SUV and limits what you can take with you. In the Polestar 4, the coupe design also limits headroom for the rear passengers.
©VanderWolf Images/Shutterstock.com
Price
The Polestar 3 and the Polestar 4 are part of the brand’s premium lineup, but there is a steep difference in price. Expect the former to set you back at least $83,900 if you don’t care too much about a performance pack and optional add-ons. If you do care about the performance pack, the MRSP is $89,900.
The Polestar 4 is surprisingly cheaper. Official MRSPs haven’t been released yet, but the RWD trim is estimated at around $60,000. For an AWD, you’ll likely have to shell out about the same amount you would spend on the Polestar 3.
Polestar 4 vs. Polestar 3: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The Polestar 3 is the automaker’s first true SUV. This vehicle features a ground clearance of 8.3 inches and only comes in AWD trims.
- Featuring a streamlined look, the Polestar 4 is an SUV coupe available in RWD and AWD variants.
- A unique feature of the Polestar 4 is the absence of a rear window. This design provides the rear passengers with a “more immersive experience,” according to Polestar, but its true role is that of reducing blind spots and increasing safety.
- Driver profiles adjust the position of the steering wheel, seat, mirrors, and one-pedal drive automatically for a seamless and comfortable ride.
- In-car apps and compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay enhance convenience in both the Polestar 3 and the Polestar 4.
Polestar 4 vs. Polestar 3: Which One Should You Drive?
The Polestar 4 and the Polestar 3 may be siblings, but they offer different riding experiences. A generous ground clearance and AWD as standard on all trims make the Polestar 3 the best choice if you need an adventure-ready EV. The Polestar 3 is also your best bet if you want to replace your ride in the near future. While Polestar announced the release of its fourth model sometime in 2024, it is unlikely to see it on the roads until 2025.
If you don’t mind waiting, however, the Polestar 4 promises to revolutionize safety with its innovative digital rearview mirror. The RWD version will also be more affordable and a better choice than the Polestar 3 if you want a capable electric SUV on a budget.
