Compare the2026 Audi Q4 e-tron SportbackVS 2025 Polestar 4

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Polestar 4 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 4.

Both the Q4 e-tron Sportback and the Polestar 4 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, 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.

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.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors produces 63 more horsepower (335 vs. 272) and 283 lbs.-ft. more torque (536 vs. 253) than the Polestar 4’s standard electric motor. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors produces 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (536 vs. 506) than the Polestar 4’s optional electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the Q4 e-tron Sportback gets better mileage than the Polestar 4:

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s standard 255/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Polestar 4’s standard 50 series tires.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback is 10 inches shorter than the Polestar 4, making the Q4 e-tron Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback is 5.7 inches narrower than the Polestar 4, making the Q4 e-tron Sportback easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume than the Polestar 4 with its rear seat up (26.1 vs. 18.6 cubic feet).

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Polestar 4’s (2650 vs. 0 pounds).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Polestar doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Polestar 4.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Polestar 4 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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 4 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Polestar 4’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

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 4.

Compared to the Polestar 4, the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the infotainment system.

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 4 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance.