Compare the2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5VS 2025 Polestar 3

Both the Ioniq 5 and the Polestar 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Polestar 3 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Ioniq 5 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 3’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq 5 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Polestar covers the 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Polestar 3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 27 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Polestar dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ioniq 5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Polestar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 154 more problems per 100 vehicles, Polestar is ranked 35th, below the industry average.

The Ioniq 5 N’s electric motors produces 124 more horsepower (641 vs. 517) than the Polestar 3 Performance Package’s optional electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq 5 gets better mileage than the Polestar 3:

The Ioniq 5 can travel longer on a full charge than the Polestar 3 on a full charge:

For better traction, the Ioniq 5 N’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Polestar 3 (275/35R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The Ioniq 5 N’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Polestar 3’s optional 40 series front tires.

The Ioniq 5 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Polestar 3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1550 pounds less than the Polestar 3.

The Ioniq 5 is 9.6 inches shorter than the Polestar 3, making the Ioniq 5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Ioniq 5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Polestar 3 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Ioniq 5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Polestar 3 with its rear seat up (26.3 vs. 17.1 cubic feet). The Ioniq 5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Polestar 3 with its rear seat folded (58.5 vs. 50 cubic feet).

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Ioniq 5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Polestar 3 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Ioniq 5’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Polestar 3’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

The Ioniq 5 Limited’s Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Polestar 3’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Ioniq 5 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 3 more times in the last 4 years. The Polestar 3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.