Compare the2023 Audi Q4 e-tron SportbackVS 2023 Polestar 2

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback. But it costs extra on the Polestar 2.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback 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. 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback has standard rear cross-path warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Polestar charges extra for Cross Traffic Alert on the Polestar 2.

Both the Q4 e-tron Sportback and the Polestar 2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback 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.

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 Q4 e-tron Sportback’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 Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors produces 64 more horsepower (295 vs. 231) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (339 vs. 243) than the Polestar 2 Single Motor’s standard electric motor.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a standard locking charge port with a remote release located convenient to the driver. The Polestar 2 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

For better stopping power the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Polestar 2:

For better traction and acceleration, the Q4 e-tron Sportback has larger rear tires than the Polestar 2 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q4 e-tron Sportback has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Polestar 2.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Polestar 2 (108.7 inches vs. 107.6 inches).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Polestar 2’s (2646 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback offers an optional 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 improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Q4 e-tron Sportback 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Polestar 2.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.