Compare the2022 Porsche 911VS 2021 Polestar 1

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 911 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 911 and the Polestar 1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are almost 10 times as many Porsche dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 911’s warranty.

The 911 Turbo S’ standard 3.7 turbo 6-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (640 vs. 619) than the Polestar 1’s 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 911 is faster than the Polestar 1 (automatics tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the 911 GT3 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder is faster than the Polestar 1 2.0 (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Both the 911 and the Polestar 1 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All 911s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The 911’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Polestar 1 (16.9 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 911’s optional fuel tank has 7.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Polestar 1 (23.7 vs. 15.9 gallons).

The 911 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The 911 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer an SMG.

For better stopping power the 911 Turbo S’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Polestar 1:

The 911 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 911 stops much shorter than the Polestar 1:

The 911 (except Base/GT3) offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the 911 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.

The 911 GT3 handles at 1.15 G’s, while the Polestar 1 pulls only .98 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 911 GT3 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Polestar 1 (22.3 seconds @ .95 average G’s vs. 24.5 seconds @ .83 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Polestar 1’s (34.1 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The 911’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Polestar 1’s (36.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1400 to 2050 pounds less than the Polestar 1.

The 911 is 4.1 inches shorter than the Polestar 1, making the 911 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the 911 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.

The 911 has .2 inches more front legroom and 6.3 inches more rear legroom than the Polestar 1.

The 911’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The engine in the 911 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 911’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 (except Cabriolet/GT3) offers an optional rear wiper. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 911 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 911 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 911 (except Manual/GT3)’s optional Active Parking Support can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Porsche 911 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Polestar 1 isn’t available as a convertible.

The 911 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.