Polestar 2 vs Audi RS Q3
What's the difference?

Polestar 2

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2026 price

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Audi RS Q3

$83,888 - $99,990

2023 price

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Summary

2026 Polestar 2

2023 Audi RS Q3

By Jack Quick

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

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Turbo 5, 2.5L

Vehicle type

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Premium Unleaded Petrol

Electric range

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8.9L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

—

Battery capacity

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Seating

Likes

Fun and agile to drive
More efficient and quicker charging
Amazing (yet optional) Bowers & Wilkins sound system

Dynamics
Refinement
Quality

Dislikes

Cabin space and storage still compromised
Options add up quick
No cover for panoramic glass roof

Front seats tricky to get in and out of
Sizeable turning circle
Only six airbags

2026 Polestar 2 Summary

The Polestar 2 was one of the first electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia to break through to the mainstream, however it has always been relegated to the Tesla Model 3’s shadow.

As a result Polestar is constantly playing catch up, releasing update after update for this premium-pushing electric liftback. The most notable was a major mid-life update in 2024.

Two years after this, Polestar has just rolled out the 2026 model year (MY26) update which introduces a range of subtle changes, largely under the surface.

It comes as Polestar is now introducing newer models, there’s mounting pressure from legacy carmakers who are only now catching up to EV tech, and Australians are moving away from buying passenger cars to SUVs.

Has this latest update improved the appeal? Read on to find out.

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2023 Audi RS Q3 Summary

Is 10 years long enough for a special birthday celebration? When you're a kid, hitting 'double figures' is a pretty big deal, and Audi's obviously in the mood to make some noise because it has lit the candles on a limited 10th anniversary version of its compact SUV rocket ship, the RS Q3.

Only 555 examples of the 'RS Q3 Sportback edition 10 years' will be produced for worldwide consumption, with Audi Australia capturing a batch of them and sending one our way for a brief blast as the fiery five-cylinder starts filtering into dealerships.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Polestar 2 2023 Audi RS Q3

Verdict

This latest update for the Polestar 2 is lovely, but driving the original is a reminder of how solid this car has always been if you overlook the inherent impracticalities of being an EV on a combustion-engine platform.

The fact you still get steady flow of over-the-air software updates bringing new features, plus you can now upgrade to the new Qualcomm processor chip, saving some coin and getting a second-hand model that’s a couple of years old isn’t a bad option at all.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Verdict

The Audi RS Q3 Sportback edition 10 years is dynamically brilliant, beautifully finished and surprisingly civilised on day-to-day duty. A polished compact performance package that even in this special 'get-it-while-you-can' guise offers compelling value relative to its direct competitors.

Polestar 2 vs Audi RS Q3 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Polestar 2 vs Audi RS Q3
What's the difference?