Compare the2024 Kia EV6VS 2024 Polestar 3

Both the EV6 and the Polestar 3 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, 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 EV6 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Polestar 3 has not been tested, yet.

The EV6 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 3’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV6 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Polestar covers the 3. 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 3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 30 times as many Kia dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EV6’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 143 more problems per 100 vehicles, Polestar is rated below average.

The EV6 GT’s electric motors produces 59 more horsepower (576 vs. 517) than the Polestar 3 Performance Package’s optional electric motors.

The EV6 can travel longer on a full charge than the Polestar 3 on a full charge:

For better maneuverability, the EV6’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Polestar 3’s (38.2 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Kia EV6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1700 pounds less than the Polestar 3.

The EV6 Light/Wind is 8.6 inches shorter than the Polestar 3, making the EV6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the EV6 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Polestar 3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The EV6 has a much larger cargo volume than the Polestar 3 with its rear seat up (24.4 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the EV6 easier. The EV6’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.6 inches, while the Polestar 3’s liftover is 31 inches.

The EV6 (except Light)’s optional 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 3’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The EV6 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Polestar 3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia EV6, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The EV6 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Polestar 3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV6 as the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Polestar 3 has never been chosen.