Compare the2023 Audi e-tron GTVS 2022 Polestar 2

The Audi e-tron GT 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 2 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the e-tron GT. But it costs extra on the Polestar 2.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the e-tron GT has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Polestar 2.

Both the e-tron GT and the Polestar 2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and available around view monitors.

There are almost 12 times as many Audi dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the e-tron GT’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Audi vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. With 89 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Audi higher than Polestar.

The e-tron GT’s standard electric motors produces 291 more horsepower (522 vs. 231) and 229 lbs.-ft. more torque (472 vs. 243) than the Polestar 2 Single Motor’s standard electric motor. The e-tron GT’s electric motors produces 114 more horsepower (522 vs. 408) than the Polestar 2 Dual Motor’s standard electric motors. The RS e-tron GT’s standard electric motors produces 229 more horsepower (637 vs. 408) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (612 vs. 487) than the Polestar 2 Dual Motor’s standard electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi e-tron GT is faster than the Polestar 2 Dual Motor electric motors:

The e-tron GT’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the e-tron GT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Polestar 2:

The e-tron GT RS 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 2 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Polestar 2 (F:265/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. 245/45R19).

The e-tron GT’s standard 285/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Polestar 2’s standard 45 series tires. The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional 265/35R21 front and 305/30R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Polestar 2’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the e-tron GT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Polestar 2. The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Polestar 2.

The front and rear suspension of the e-tron GT uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Polestar 2, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The e-tron GT has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The e-tron GT’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the e-tron GT’s wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than on the Polestar 2 (114.2 inches vs. 107.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the e-tron GT is 3.9 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Polestar 2.

The RS e-tron GT handles at .93 G’s, while the Polestar 2 AWD pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RS e-tron GT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Polestar 2 AWD (24.1 seconds @ .85 average G’s vs. 24.7 seconds @ .79 average G’s).

The design of the Audi e-tron GT amounts to more than styling. The e-tron GT has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .24 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Polestar 2 (.278) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the e-tron GT get better fuel mileage.

The e-tron GT has 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Polestar 2.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the e-tron GT. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The e-tron GT’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The e-tron GT Prestige/RS has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the e-tron GT has standard extendable sun visors. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The e-tron GT offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Polestar 2.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi e-tron GT has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Polestar 2.

The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.