Toyota HiLux vs Polestar 4
What's the difference?

Toyota HiLux

$33,990 - $82,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Polestar 4

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2025 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz Vito

Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Volkswagen Transporter

Volvo C40

Summary

2026 Toyota HiLux

2025 Polestar 4

By Mark Oastler

By Tim Nicholson

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Electric range

315 km

Electric range

620 km

Energy consumption

20.2 kWh/100km

18.1 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

59.20 kWh

100.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

Zero tailpipe emissions
Silent powertrain
Zippy response

Exceptional on-road performance and range
Beautifully crafted, sustainable interior
Solid servicing offer

Dislikes

High price
Short driving range
Limited GVM/GCM ratings

Some options should be standard at this price
Digital rear-view mirror replaces rear windscreen
Can’t stand bottles up in doors

2026 Toyota HiLux Summary

Toyota claims its first HiLux BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) has been designed primarily with mining, business and government fleet customers in mind, by combining the iconic ute’s 4x4 all-terrain capability with zero tailpipe emissions only a full-electric drivetrain can deliver.

To prove its suitability for harsh Aussie conditions, Toyota claims the HiLux BEV has undergone more than two years of testing on site with major mining companies, covering thousands of kilometres in ambient temperatures up to 50 degrees.

We recently sampled the HiLux BEV as a daily driver in metropolitan use, to see if its mining-focused credentials translate to being a practical alternative to traditional diesel power for tradies working in busy urban environments.

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2025 Polestar 4 Summary

Polestar finally has more than one offering in its Australian model range. Following the Polestar 2 sedan that arrived in late 2021, and the recently launched Polestar 3 large SUV, the Geely-owned marque has just launched the model that is expected to be its top seller.

The Polestar 4 is a medium coupe-style SUV with liftback vibes, and it is set to line up against some of the most popular EVs on the market, including the Tesla Model Y.

Although, as Polestar execs claim, and the price suggests, it’s a more premium offering than the Tesla.

It is loaded with new technology, including a digital rear-view camera that replaces a traditional rear windscreen, which will either appeal to, or alienate buyers. Probably the former given the appeal of new tech to EV buyers.

But can the Polestar 4 snatch attention away from Tesla and the other solid electric SUVs of a similar size? Read on to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Toyota HiLux 2025 Polestar 4

Verdict

Given the HiLux BEV was developed in close cooperation with mining companies, its relatively short driving range appears tailor-made for that role given the daily driving distances (typically around 150km or less) in underground and open-cut mining operations. However, determining if our SR5 test vehicle is equally well suited to urban tradie duties would require careful analysis of driving range and payload/towing requirements, to determine if its emissions-free high purchase price can be justified.

Verdict

Polestar may be a Tesla rival but the Polestar 4 looks and feels much more premium than the Model Y. The brand has taken its time to get the cabin just right and the sustainable materials don’t feel cheap in any way. In fact, this car feels special.

I may not be a fan of some of the tech - the digital rear-view mirror, for example - but many people will be drawn to the car because of these features.

On the road, the Polestar 4 is a cracking EV, with excellent driving range and a fun factor that can’t be denied. That aftersales offer is just the cherry on the cake.

This is Polestar’s best chance yet of being accepted by the masses.

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

Toyota HiLux vs Polestar 4 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Toyota HiLux vs Polestar 4
What's the difference?