Polestar 2 vs Kia EV6

Polestar is one of the newest brands in the automotive firmament, but it still has a connection to an established automaker.

The Polestar name originally belonged to an independent motorsports and tuning company focused on modifying Volvos. It was eventually acquired by the Swedish automaker, and for a short time became its performance sub-brand, similar to Mercedes-AMG or BMW M. Volvo then decided to reassign the Polestar name to a new brand focused on electric vehicles. Launched for the 2021 model year, the Polestar 2 was the new brand’s first volume model, following the limited-edition Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid.

Polestar has other EVs planned, but for now the 2 remains its sole offering. The 2024 Polestar 2 gets some notable upgrades, including a range boost, revised styling, and some powertrain changes. All of that helps keep the 2 fresh in the face of competition like the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Polestar keeps its lineup simple. In Canada, buyers can choose between Long Range Single Motor and Long Range Dual Motor configurations, the latter available with a Performance Pack. We sampled the single-motor Polestar 2 for this review.

The EV6 has an appealing design, a stylish and practical interior, and one of the most sophisticated EV platforms available at its price point. Additional hallmarks of the 2025 EV6 include commendable power, plenty of driving range, and quick recharging times. For this model year, Kia improves this electric crossover SUV with an exterior facelift, a revised interior, increased battery capacity, a new charging port, modified steering, frame enhancements to ensure safety, and next-generation infotainment technology.

Verdict: Can the Kia EV6 survive the paused federal iZEV rebate? It deserves to because it’s one of the most appealing EV models available today. Aside from a few quirks associated with its onboard technology, there isn’t much wrong with the EV6 and plenty that’s right with it.