Compare the2022 BMW 530eVS 2021 Polestar 1

The BMW 530e has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 530e helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the 530e and the Polestar 1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 530e its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 103 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Polestar 1 has not been tested, yet.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 530e for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Polestar doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 1.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW 530e higher (7 out of 10) than the Polestar 1 (5). This means the 530e produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Polestar 1 every 15,000 miles.

The 530e stops shorter than the Polestar 1:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 530e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the 530e uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Polestar 1, which uses torsion bars in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 530e’s wheelbase is 9.1 inches longer than on the Polestar 1 (117.1 inches vs. 108 inches).

The BMW 530e may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 850 pounds less than the Polestar 1.

The front grille of the 530e uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 530e a Compact car, while the Polestar 1 is rated a Minicompact.

The 530e has standard seating for 5 passengers; the Polestar 1 can only carry 4.

The 530e has 26.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Polestar 1 (98.8 vs. 72).

The 530e has .8 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 4.2 inches more rear headroom, 15.6 inches more rear legroom and 6.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Polestar 1.

The 530e’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 530e offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a power trunk.

The engine in the 530e is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Polestar 1. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The 530e’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 530e’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. Polestar does not offer a locking feature on the Polestar 1’s standard power windows.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the 530e to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Both the 530e and the Polestar 1 offer available heated front seats. The 530e also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Polestar 1.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 530e keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The 530e has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The 530e offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Polestar 1.

The 530e’s available Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Polestar 1’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The 530e is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.