Compare the2023 Hyundai NexoVS 2023 Polestar 2

The Nexo has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Polestar 2’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Nexo has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Polestar charges extra for Cross Traffic Alert on the Polestar 2.

Both the Nexo and the Polestar 2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Nexo its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 127 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Polestar 2 has not been tested, yet.

The Nexo comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 2’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Nexo 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Polestar covers the 2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Polestar 2 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 32 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Nexo’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. With 143 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Hyundai higher than Polestar.

The Nexo’s electric motor produces 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (291 vs. 243) than the Polestar 2 Single Motor’s standard electric motor.

The Nexo can travel longer on a full tank of hydrogen than the Polestar 2 on a full charge:

The Nexo has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver The Polestar 2 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Nexo’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches longer than on the Polestar 2 (109.8 inches vs. 107.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Nexo is .5 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than the track on the Polestar 2.

For better maneuverability, the Nexo’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Polestar 2’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Hyundai Nexo may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Polestar 2.

The Nexo has 5.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Polestar 2 (101.3 vs. 96).

The Nexo has .3 inches more front hip room, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.7 inches more rear legroom, .2 inches more rear hip room and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Polestar 2.

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

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Nexo has a standard rear wiper. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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

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

The Nexo has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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