Head-to-head
Polestar 4 vs Smart #3
At $57,900 the Smart #3 undercuts the Polestar 4 by $20,600 (26%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · Coupe
Polestar 4
Polestar's mid-size coupe-SUV trades a rear window for camera-based rearward vision — a polarising design choice. The 620 km WLTP Long Range Single Motor is the volume seller; the AWD Dual Motor goes hard.
- From
- $78,500
- Range
- 620 km
- Battery
- 94 kWh
Option B · Coupe
Smart #3
Smart's coupe-SUV companion to the #1. Same Geely-built mechanicals but with a sleeker fastback roofline. The Brabus AWD variant cracks 3.7s 0-100.
- From
- $57,900
- Range
- 455 km
- Battery
- 66 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Polestar 4 and Smart #3, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 goes 165 km further on a charge (620 vs 455 km WLTP).
- 2
Battery · advantage Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 carries a 28.0 kWh larger battery (94 vs 66 kWh).
- 3
Price · advantage Smart #3
The Smart #3 undercuts the Polestar 4 by $20,600 (26%) on starting price.
- 4
DC charging · advantage Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 accepts 50 kW more DC peak charging (200 vs 150 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 5
Boot · advantage Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 swallows 65 L more cargo with the rear seats up (435 vs 370 L).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Polestar 4 wins
- ▸ 165 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (200 kW vs 150 kW)
Where the Smart #3 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $20,600
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (5.8s vs 7.1s)
Polestar 4
What we like
- ✓ Class-leading 620 km WLTP range in Single Motor trim
- ✓ Striking, distinctive coupe-SUV design
- ✓ Long-range Single Motor variant offers best value
What we don't
- ✕ Camera-based rear vision divides opinion
- ✕ Built in China, which matters to some buyers
- ✕ Premium pricing for the AWD variant
Smart #3
What we like
- ✓ Sub-6-second 0-100 in Pro+ RWD trim
- ✓ Sleeker coupe-SUV silhouette
- ✓ Same Geely engineering as well-received Smart #1
What we don't
- ✕ Coupe roofline cuts rear headroom
- ✕ Smart dealer network is brand new in Australia
- ✕ Not yet ANCAP rated locally
Frequently asked: Polestar 4 vs Smart #3
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Polestar 4 or the Smart #3?
- The Smart #3 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $57,900 versus $78,500 for the Polestar 4, a $20,600 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Polestar 4 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 620 km, 165 km further than the Smart #3's 455 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Polestar 4 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 200 kW versus 150 kW for the Smart #3. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Smart #3 does 0–100 km/h in 5.8 seconds — 1.3 s quicker than the Polestar 4's 7.1 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the Smart #3 better value than the Polestar 4?
- On paper the Smart #3 is $20,600 cheaper, but trails the Polestar 4 on the core measurable specs. The saving might still be worth it if you don't need the extra range, power or charging speed — but the Polestar 4 is the spec-sheet winner.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Polestar 4
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (165 km further per charge)
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you match the profile: design-led buyers
Choose the
Smart #3
if…
- ✓ you want to save $20,600 on the sticker
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
- ✓ you match the profile: style-led buyers
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.