By MICHAEL CANTU, Edmunds
BMW has a well-established historical past of creating luxurious sport sedans, and now the automaker has set its sights on dominating the all-electric section with its new 2022 i4. The BMW i4 is concerning the dimension of a 3 Sequence and gives a fascinating driving expertise. If you happen to’re searching for a substitute for the Tesla Mannequin 3, this might be it. However there’s one other small EV additionally vying in your consideration: the Polestar 2.
The Polestar 2 hails from Volvo’s nascent EV-only Polestar model. It boasts glorious dealing with and spectacular tech. Which electrical sedan — with a hatchback-style trunk — is the higher purchase? Edmunds’ specialists in contrast them to search out out.
Vary and charging ought to be a prime precedence, even whenever you’re purchasing for a efficiency EV. For 2022, the i4 has an EPA-estimated driving vary of 227-301 miles relying on the mannequin and configuration. On paper, Polestar 2′s EPA vary isn’t as excessive. It’s estimated between 249 and 270 miles.
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Edmunds additionally carried out its real-world vary testing on each vehicles. Right here, the i4 M50 dual-motor model went 268 miles on a full cost and the dual-motor Polestar 2 went 288 miles. That places the Polestar within the prime half of Edmunds’ EV vary leaderboard, and the i4 within the decrease half.
Charging both automobile with a depleted battery at house will take about the identical period of time. When utilizing a public DC fast-charging station, the BMW’s barely greater peak cost price can doubtlessly have you ever again on the street just a little sooner.
Luxurious sport sedans must carry out but additionally present loads of consolation. When it comes to trip consolation, each rivals are very snug, even with their sport-tuned suspensions. Nonetheless, the Polestar’s seats have extra cushioning and supply extra help and luxury.
Passenger house is fairly even, however the Polestar 2 has a bit extra entrance headroom and legroom. The Swede additionally gives extra cargo house in its hatchback-style trunk. EVs are inherently quiet, so it’s necessary to maintain the cabin insulated from exterior noise. Each sport sedans excel at this, however count on a quieter driving expertise within the Polestar.
Energy and strong driving dynamics are essential for sport sedans, and each EVs ship. The i4 eDrive40 produces 335 horsepower and the M50 469 horsepower, or much more in brief bursts. The Polestar gives much less grunt: 231-408 horsepower. The ability distinction was apparent in Edmunds’ testing. The M50 hit 60 mph in simply 3.6 seconds, and the dual-motor Polestar 2 took 4.3 seconds.
Whereas BMW has definitely made good on the “motor” a part of its identify, it’s misplaced its means for when the street will get twisty. The i4′s steering doesn’t present a lot really feel for the street, and its stability management system tends to kill the enjoyable whenever you’re driving arduous round turns. It might sound odd, however the Polestar 2 is definitely the extra playful and interesting EV to drive on a abandoned again street.
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The BMW and Polestar boast spectacular tech and have digital instrument panels and huge touchscreens. Nonetheless, the i4′s horizontal touchscreen is bigger than the Polestar’s vertical one. The i4′s touchscreen interface works very nicely and consists of wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.
Contained in the Polestar, you’ll discover a Google Android-based working system that works very similar to a smartphone and consists of apps like Google Maps. However we haven’t discovered it fairly as feature-packed because the BMW’s interface.
As for superior driver aids, resembling adaptive cruise management, BMW and Polestar are just a little stingy. They embrace a couple of normal driver aids, however the remaining are non-obligatory. However we do like how each automobile’s aids are useful for driving and never overly intrusive.
The BMW i4 eDrive40 begins at $56,295, and the M50 at $66,995 with vacation spot. The beginning worth for the single-motor Polestar 2 is $49,800 and the dual-motor mannequin is $3,500 extra, or $53,300. The pricing hole is critical, however the energy distinction and BMW brand-name recognition could be price it for some. The $7,500 federal tax credit score will be utilized to each EVs.
Normal and non-obligatory options between the 2 are comparable, and so are their warranties and free upkeep plans. Each rivals additionally boast strong construct high quality and interiors that appear and feel acceptable for the value.
The Polestar’s barely decrease pricing is interesting, however BMW’s model familiarity and its extra in depth dealership community even the rating.
You’ll possible be proud of both EV. In Edmunds’ rankings scoring, they’re, in truth, statistically tied. Can’t determine? For superior consolation and dealing with, get the Polestar. However for model familiarity and rocket-like acceleration, get the BMW.
This story was offered to The Related Press by the automotive web site Edmunds.
Michael Cantu is a contributor at Edmunds and will be adopted on Instagram.
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