Compare the2024 Lexus RZVS 2024 Polestar 2

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RZ are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Lexus RZ 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.

Both the RZ and the Polestar 2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Lexus RZ achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Polestar 2 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Polestar covers the 2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Polestar 2 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 8 times as many Lexus dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the RZ’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 RZ’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 Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 142 more problems per 100 vehicles, Polestar is rated below average.

As tested in Motor Trend the RZ 450e electric motors is faster than the Polestar 2 Single Motor electric motor:

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

The RZ 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 RZ stops shorter than the Polestar 2:

For better traction and acceleration, the RZ has larger rear tires than the Polestar 2 (255/55R18 vs. 245/45R19).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RZ’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the Polestar 2 (112.2 inches vs. 107.7 inches).

The RZ 450e Luxury handles at .86 G’s, while the Polestar 2 Single Motor pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the RZ’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the Polestar 2’s (36.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Polestar 2 Performance Package (7.9 vs. 5.7 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RZ’s minimum ground clearance is 2 inches higher than on the Polestar 2 (7.9 vs. 5.9 inches).

The Lexus RZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 250 pounds less than the Polestar 2.

The RZ 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.

The RZ has 1 inch more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 3.6 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Polestar 2.

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

The RZ’s 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 RZ 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 RZ has standard extendable sun visors. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The RZ 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 RZ 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 RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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