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BMW i4 vs Polestar 2 (2020-2023)
Selected trimLong range Dual motor 78 kWh · 2020-23Change trim303 mi · 78 kWh · Not available
At a glance
Overview
The BMW i4 and Polestar 2 are both premium electric saloons aimed at company-car and private buyers who want something other than a Tesla. The i4 is larger, more powerful and more expensive, with a classic BMW driving feel; the Polestar 2 is more compact, better value and cleanly designed. This is size and performance against price and restraint.
Best suited to:Company carPremiumPerformance
In this comparison, BMW i4 leads on value for money and family practicality, while the Polestar 2 leads on city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i4 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the Polestar 2 (2020-2023) if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i4 edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
ValueBMW
BMW
5.9
Polestar
0
Motorway Range
BMW
4.1
Polestar
4.4
Too close to call
FamilyBMW
BMW
6.4
Polestar
5.8
Charging
BMW
3.7
Polestar
3.5
Too close to call
Cost Per Mile
BMW
4.1
Polestar
4.2
Too close to call
City DrivingPolestar
BMW
3.2
Polestar
4.3
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Polestar 2
Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
- 50 kW more power
- 1.0s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1.0 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £53,405 | Not available |
| Official range | 367 miles (better) | 303 miles |
| Boot space | 470 L (better) | 405 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min | 28 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec | 4.7 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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BMW i4
Polestar 2
Length
BMW i44,783mm
Polestar 24,606mm-177mm
Width
BMW i41,852mm-7mm
Polestar 21,859mm
Height
BMW i41,448mm-31mm
Polestar 21,479mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,783 mm | 4,606 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,852 mm (better) | 1,859 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,073 mm | 1,985 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,448 mm | 1,479 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.5 m | 11.5 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 548 mm spare (better) | 541 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L (better) | 405 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1290 L (better) | 1097 L |
| Frunk | 0 L | 35 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,600 kg (better) | 1,500 kg |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport |  Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.78m | 4.61m-177mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.86m+7mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | 1.99m-88mm |
| Height | 1.45m | 1.48m+31mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.86m | 2.73m-121mm |
| Ground Clearance | 125mm | 151mm+26mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L (better) | 405L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1290L (better) | 1097L |
| Frunk | Not available | 35L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.5m | 11.5m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,125kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg (better) | 1,500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh (better) | 78kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 367 mi (better) | 303 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 200kW (better) | 150kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £53,405 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | Saloon |
| Available | 2021–2026 | 2020–2023 |
* BMW i4: Launch figures. Cars built from July 2024 (facelift) have 81.3 kWh usable, 205 kW DC charging and up to 373 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 367 miles (better) | 303 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 261 miles (better) | 253 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | 28 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 200 kW (better) | 150 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 160 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 80.7 kWh (better) | 75 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 5.7 sec | 4.7 sec (better) |
| Power | 250 kW | 300 kW (better) |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 660 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
8.8/10
average across 6 reviews
- Electrifying.com10/10
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
Polestar 2
Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £24,558 | £17,500 |
| Average used price | £28,930 | £21,000 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 50 listings (better) | 46 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 21.3% over ~6 months | Down 1.8% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist64%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist83%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i4eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 2Long range Dual motor 78 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i4
eDrive40 M Sport
Owners love
- Owners praise the composed ride, quiet cabin and BMW build quality, and many compare it favourably with the Tesla Model 3 for comfort.
- The eDrive40 is widely seen as the sweet spot: rear-wheel drive, lighter than the M50 and with the most range.
- Many owners report around 280 to 300 miles in mild weather from an eDrive40, and efficiency of around 4 miles per kWh on gentle runs.
Watch out for
- Winter range falls a long way, with several owners reporting around 180 to 220 miles in cold, wet weather.
- The rear seats are tight for tall adults, the doors are small and the floor is raised by the battery.
- It is heavy for its size, at about 2.1 to 2.3 tonnes, which owners feel in hard cornering and in efficiency.
Owner tips
- Sit in the back on the test drive if tall adults will use the rear seats regularly.
- Check the tyres and their brand closely; budget for a set if they are low, and prefer smaller wheels for range.
Polestar 2
Long range Dual motor 78 kWh
Owners love
- Excellent build quality with solid construction, tight panel gaps, and no rattles despite compact dimensions
- Impressive acceleration and performance with 402hp dual motors (0-62mph in 4.7 seconds) offering engaging driving dynamics
- Strong real-world range of 220-250 miles on mixed driving with negligible battery degradation over time
Watch out for
- Range significantly reduces in cold weather to 150-170 miles, making winter motorway driving challenging
- Rear seating very cramped with high door card tops restricting headroom for taller passengers and limiting child seat placement
- Firm suspension setup trades comfort for precision, causing harshness over poor road surfaces and expansion joints
Owner tips
- Home charging with dedicated off-peak tariff like Octopus Go is essential to realize 5p-per-mile running cost advantage
- Cap charging at 90% and monitor 12V battery health regularly to maximize battery longevity and avoid discharge issues
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Polestar 2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i4
- £24,5582023Car360View
- £35,6992024Car360View
- £32,1942024Car360View
Polestar 2
- £22,1002020EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
What are the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 261 miles for the BMW i4 and 253 miles for the Polestar 2 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 28-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i4 or the Polestar 2?
The two are within 7 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 548 mm of total clearance for the BMW i4 and about 541 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 also turns in a 1.0 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i4 or the Polestar 2?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i4 and 84% for the Polestar 2. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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Further reading
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .