Compare the2023 Mercedes EQSVS 2022 Polestar 2

The Mercedes EQS 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.

The rear seatbelts optional on the EQS inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the EQS 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 EQS 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 driver alert monitors.

The Mercedes EQS weighs 883 to 1556 pounds more than the Polestar 2. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are almost 15 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EQS’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. With 139 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Polestar.

The EQS has more powerful engines than the Polestar 2:

As tested in Car and Driver the Mercedes EQS is faster than the Polestar 2 Dual Motor electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the EQS gets better mileage than the Polestar 2:

The EQS can travel longer on a full charge than the Polestar 2 on a full charge:

The EQS AMG’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 EQS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Polestar 2:

The EQS AMG 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 EQS has larger standard tires than the Polestar 2 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R19). The AMG EQS’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Polestar 2 (275/40R21 vs. 245/45R19).

The EQS’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Polestar 2’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EQS has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Polestar 2. The EQS’ optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Polestar 2.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the EQS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the EQS 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 EQS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The EQS’ 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.

The EQS’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the EQS’ wheelbase is 18.7 inches longer than on the Polestar 2 (126.4 inches vs. 107.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EQS is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Polestar 2.

The AMG EQS 4MATIC handles at .92 G’s, while the Polestar 2 AWD pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the EQS w/10° rear-wheel steering’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Polestar 2’s (35.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The design of the Mercedes EQS amounts to more than styling. The EQS has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .2 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 EQS get better fuel mileage.

The EQS uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the EQS 580 4MATIC is quieter than the Polestar 2 AWD:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the EQS a Large car, while the Polestar 2 is rated a Mid-size.

The EQS has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Polestar 2 (103 vs. 96).

The EQS has .8 inches more front headroom, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 6.5 inches more rear legroom and 6.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Polestar 2.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EQS’ available rear seats recline. The Polestar 2’s rear seats don’t recline.

The EQS has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Polestar 2 with its rear seat up (22 vs. 15.5 cubic feet). The EQS has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the Polestar 2 with its rear seat folded (63 vs. 38.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the EQS. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Polestar 2, the EQS has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The EQS’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and 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 EQS offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts 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.

The EQS’ optional power side swing out doors make it much easier to load and unload kids and cargo. One touch opens the door, before you even get to the car. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a power rear door.

The EQS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The EQS offers optional massaging front and rear 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 Mercedes EQS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console and one for the rear passengers. Wireless charging costs extra on the Polestar 2.

The EQS’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the EQS first among large premium cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Polestar 2 isn’t in the top three.