Compare the2024 BMW i4VS 2023 Polestar 2

The BMW i4 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 i4 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 i4 has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Polestar charges extra for Cross Traffic Alert on the Polestar 2.

Both the i4 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, 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 and available around view monitors.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Polestar doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 2.

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 i4’s 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 i4’s reliability 20 points higher than the Polestar 2.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. With 121 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Polestar.

The i4 has more powerful engines than the Polestar 2:

As tested in Consumer Reports the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Polestar 2 Dual Motor electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the i4 gets better mileage than the Polestar 2:

The i4 can travel longer on a full charge than the Polestar 2 on a full charge:

The i4 has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Polestar 2 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The i4 M50’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 i4 M50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Polestar 2:

For better traction, the i4 M50’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Polestar 2 (F:255/35R20 & R:285/30R20 vs. 245/45R19).

The i4 M50’s optional 285/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Polestar 2 BST’s optional 35 series tires.

The rear suspension of the i4 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 i4 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the i4’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the Polestar 2 (112.4 inches vs. 107.6 inches).

The i4 M50 handles at .96 G’s, while the Polestar 2 AWD pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The i4 has .6 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Polestar 2.

The i4 has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Polestar 2 with its rear seat up (16.6 vs. 15.4 cubic feet). The i4 has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the Polestar 2 with its rear seat folded (45.6 vs. 38.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The i4 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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the i4 has standard extendable sun visors. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The i4’s available Automatic Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Polestar 2’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Polestar 2 isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the i4 second among compact 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.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Polestar 2 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.