Compare the2023 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2021 Polestar 1

The BMW 8 Series 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.

Both the 8 Series 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series 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.

There are almost 14 times as many BMW dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 8 Series’ warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 8 Series’ reliability 20 points higher than the Polestar 1.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 163 more problems per 100 vehicles, Polestar is rated below average.

As tested in Car and Driver the M850i 4.4 turbo V8 is faster than the Polestar 1:

The 8 Series has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Polestar 1 (18 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 8 Series stops shorter than the Polestar 1:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 8 Series 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 8 Series M850i has 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 8 Series 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 M850i offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Polestar doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Polestar 1.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 8 Series’ wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the Polestar 1 (111.1 inches vs. 108 inches).

The M850i xDrive Coupe handles at .98 G’s, while the Polestar 1 pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M850i xDrive Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Polestar 1 (24 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 24.5 seconds @ .83 average G’s).

The BMW 8 Series may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1300 pounds less than the Polestar 1.

The front grille of the 8 Series 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 8 Series Coupe a Subcompact car, while the Polestar 1 is rated a Minicompact.

The 8 Series has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Polestar 1 (81 vs. 72).

The 8 Series Coupe has .9 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 8.6 inches more rear legroom than the Polestar 1.

The 8 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the Polestar 1 (14.8 vs. 4.4 cubic feet).

The 8 Series’ 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 8 Series has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

The engine in the 8 Series 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 8 Series’ 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.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 8 Series 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 8 Series’ optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Polestar 1 isn’t available as a convertible or sedan.

The 8 Series is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Polestar 1 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.