Compare the2026 Audi Q4 e-tron SportbackVS 2025 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback 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.

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, all wheel drive, 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback is safer than the Polestar 2:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 10 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.

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 Q4 e-tron Sportback’s reliability 23 points higher than the Polestar 2.

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron Sportback gets better mileage than the Polestar 2 Performance Pack (107 city/92 hwy vs. 95 city/87 hwy MPGe).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback can travel longer on a full charge than the Polestar 2 Performance Pack (258 miles vs. 254 miles).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback 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.

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. 245/40R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q4 e-tron Sportback offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Polestar 2’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

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).

For greater off-road capability the Q4 e-tron Sportback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Polestar 2 (5.8 vs. 5.7 inches), allowing the Q4 e-tron Sportback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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 (2650 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and driver assistance information 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback has standard extendable sun visors. The Polestar 2 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus’ Park Steering Assist 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 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Polestar 2 isn't recommended.

The Audi Q4 outsold the Polestar 2 by almost three to one during 2024.