Polestar 3 vs Porsche Macan vs Audi Q6 E-Tron | WHICH SHOULD YOU BUY?

[@baosw]

Aesthetically, I love the perfect balance that Polestar offers. Rounded lines but still aggressive enough. And the rear light bar is truly stunning.

[@quavohuncho6156]

Polestar 3 easy choice

[@flyboyflash3184]

Good video. The fact that you’re comparing Polestar to Porsche says quite a lot about Polestar’s 1st EV SUV. Audi’s monochromatic interiors are mundane. The Macan drives like a Porsche as it should. For my money, I’m pulling for Polestar!

[@andrejensen9002]

Agree 👍

[@szymonlorenz7254]

It''s not Polestar but Geely and they have plenty of experience in the field of electric SUV, or even hypersuv's like Lotus Eletre, the problem with Geely Car's is they are beautiful and well equipped for the money, but software wise, they are absolutely unreliable and it's an universal truth about Geely EV's.

[@RDLondon]

Picking up my Macan Turbo this Friday! Can’t wait.

[@Dark_Vader888]

Polestar 2 looks so cheap and dated but the Polestar 3 is just beautiful and the easy winner here.

[@jeremy4925]

I just moved from Polestar 2 to Polestar 3. There is no comparison. My P2 drove nice but had tons of issues and it was made cheaply. My P3 is on another league in quality, looks and features. Top P2 in my market approaching $96k and my P3 was just over $100k. It's a no brainer.

[@sadiamir1825]

I’m picking up my Polestar 3 today and am so excited. The minimalist interiors and exterior design are sophisticated and the drive so comfortable. I get what you mean about the lack of buttons, wish there were a few more like you suggested. But for the price compared to a Porsche, it was an easy choice for me.

[@evkx]

Great comparison, Kris! I really appreciate this type of video because it feels far more trustworthy than comparisons based on months-old memories. Plus, driving conditions can vary so much. One note for your US viewers: the Q6 e-tron quattro is significantly more powerful in the US version, making it even more powerful than the Macan 4.

[@kaybe3044]

The star on the steeringwheel of the Q6 can be programmed to turn off speed warning.

[@andrejensen9002]

Great walkthrough👍 Its almost impossible to spec the Macan under 1.1 mill nok, even if you keep it simple, add wintertires and you will end up around 1.2 or more. Like the looks (maybe not the rear) and driving feel. But space, price and noise level made the Polestar 3 an easy choice for me. I also bought the launch edition, so "only" payed around 850k nok inc wintertires. I also like the the Polestar is a little bit "different".

[@bneyarb5037]

These are the exact 3 cars I’m shopping between so this was an amazing video. I really can’t pick between the Porsche and the polestar

[@catha86]

Can I ask you what do you do to afford something like this? I dream of owning a car like the Polestar 4. I earn like half a million but I can´t afford to buy something like this.

[@bneyarb5037]

@ I live in Australia and only make like 100k (AUD) per year. However, I own my house and it has appreciated considerably, and I also invest my savings. I would purchase (or lease) with a downpayment so the repayments would be affordable

[@catha86]

@@bneyarb5037 thank you for the answer. I bought an apartment but on loan. Without it I would be able to get a nice car in finance but now I can´t.. Good thing I´m not so hype of owning an expensive car, just want a nice reliable car like Toyota

[@ski_tron2446]

I have the Q6 Quattro on 19” and steel suspension. Tyres are a bit narrower 235/60 front and 255/55 rear. There is too much tyre noise, even on cheaper wheels. But it’s a great car that drives really well.

[@jblomqvi1474]

It’s great to see a ”new” brand like Polestar doing so well. Crazy still is the high prices combined with the value of electric cars fall very quickly in value. As a car journalist I would make the choice based on now. Me, I would go with Polestar, just a much better looking car. I would live with some short comings on the software and hope for improvements. The physical buttons will of course not be coming. This is a disaster on any cars! Were did the traffic safty go? It’s just thrown out the windows, it’s crazy.

[@jak493]

Thanks for a really good video, very much worth the watch. Personally I think I like the Polestar 3 although the Macan is very very close (smaller boot is a negative but the badge is a positive). Having owned a Taycan and losing a ridiculous amount on trade in, I can see the Macan doing the same within a couple of years.

[@dauch555]

This is great. Excellent presentation of these option. Thanks Kris. FYI - In the US, the Porsche is significantly more expensive right now because entry-level is the 4S model, and very little inventory. My guess is the leases are 40-50% higher than the SQ6 right now (12/24). Also - the soon-to-die but very luxurious Q8 eTron is as cheap as the Q6 eTron, so it is a good value while supplies last. I'm also considering the Lyriq, which is not as dynamic (until the V model arrive), but is very compelling Luxury SUV EV package with tesla supercharger access and excellent supercruise. So for me it is down to Polestar 3 vs. Audi Q8 eTron vs. Lyriq 600e. (note in the US the Polestar is sold through a corporate network, so no negotiating with the dealer here.)

[@florianhaffner3910]

Macan looks the best IMO

[@ecpono]

Switched to a P3 from a Model Y, and I am never going back! The Polestar 3 is awesome!

[@samygoldmann7059]

Audi better than Macan after one weekend with both. Noise is linked to over inflated tires only as explained and proven on many chats

[@KrisRifa]

So your hypothesis is that the four Q6 E-Trons I have had on loan in Norway and the two two press cars I drove in Spain where on overinflated compared to the two Macans I drove in Germany, the Macan press car here in Norway, the two PS3 press cars I drone in Spain and the two I have had on loan in Norway. Got it, that both makes a lot of sense and sounds super likely hahaha!

[@DubheJames]

Drove all 3 got the fully loaded P3. Drove the best, certainly better than the aud and i see about 10 of them a day. Not seen a single P3 in my spec. Makes it more special. The audi like most audis are like those people who go on holiday to the same place every year for 20 years as they think its good but are too scared to actually find out if somewhere else would be better. Such a snorefest of a car. Maybe if you are an accountant and have no pulse but anyone living would be better with the polestar.

[@stopthefomo]

Thanks for this comparison!

[@MichaelHermann-kr2cs]

Only Macan. Perfect Car!

[@patrick7228]

Thanks for these comparison videos. I'm sure the work that goes into them is enormous and appreciated. I'm waiting for someone to drive the depreciation off the Polestar, decide it's not for them, and grab one. I just can't justify that price for a Polestar. I'd get the Porsche, too, if buying new.

[@imadeddinebehiani635]

Not sure the conclusion matches the review! Through out the video, the Polestar was ahead! Would be interesting to see what was the conclusion you landed on the night before.

[@KrisRifa]

As I said, in the end it was really close. But the Porsche is just a more complete package, and it just works. I find it hard to recommend the unfinished product a head of one that works almost perfectly.

[@johnwheeldon7564]

In UK I tried speccing an A6 Etron and a Macan 4 with my essentials. To get what was essential to me the Audi came out £20k more because they bundled everything into packages whereas with the Macan I could pick and choose. With the Audi I had to include a sun roof, huge wheels and leather seats all of which I would prefer not to have. Without these I couldn't get ACC, air suspension, 360 camera and electirc memory seats.Including these on the Macan 4 my build came out at £81k whereas on the Audi it was over £100k. Absolutely no contest especially as I would have ended up with those things I hate too. Maybe you can spec extras differently in Norway but is one of my bug bears with Audi and Polestar that its packs or nothing (even though I have and love my Polestar 2 LRDM). Agreed the Audi is much larger and more practical for families but I prefer the smaller size and have only had a passnger in the back of my Polestrar 2 or 3 times in 3 years.

[@michalklucz6907]

exactly this. I can have Macan with good seats, HUD, panoroof for less than 80k GBP. Sadly after the test drive it was to noisy for me. I have no idea what went wrong on the design board.

[@evkx]

@@johnwheeldon7564 this is a UK problem. The sunroof is a seperate option Else in europe. Time to move the steering wheel to the left side :-)

[@ski_tron2446]

Audi do make it difficult! No air suspension and only black sport seats in the U.K. but most sales are company cars or leases. Adding options to a lease adds a lot to the cost.

[@lovol2]

Not air suspension on A6 Audi in the UK 😢. You have to get S6.

[@Mark_Ganopolsky]

3:42 and 7:54 - so which is better ergonomically…?

[@KrisRifa]

Porsche 😉

[@tomoldigs1353]

I’ve never seen a car, that expensive, having a look and feel, that cheap. Also the infotainment looks weird, to many informations, not clustered properly, important things in small letters, unimportant things in bigger letters, just not finished. Clearly the Porsche is more expensive, but is the money worth and feels way better on the road. Polestar 3 is the best value and has a nice, simple, reduced interior and a stylish exterior.

[@dave24-73]

The Polestar is the best allrounder, but if you are the driver, and don’t really have a family the Porsche is the best driving experience.

[@izemanevobike]

Checked the Porsche last week as you said it would be superior to the Audi. Can't really confirm. They both have about the same amount of hard plastics below your knee line. You can spec up the Porsche much higher than you could a Audi. THEN the Porsche looks better. But not without. The ambient lighting though is always better. Much more light strips.

[@KrisRifa]

@@izemanevobike dude, I literally show in the video that the Audi not only has much more cheap plastics low on the cabin, especially higher up (where it matters the most)there is a huge difference

[@izemanevobike]

@@KrisRifa Well my impression is different. I never said the Audi didn't have more plastics, but the Porsche still has a lot of it if you don't take the all leather update which makes it way more expensive than the Audi.

[@KrisRifa]

@ sorry, but your impression is wrong. The Audi has objectively more cheaper materials low and high in the cabin. It’s just a fact and is shown in the video. You could as well be saying “your impression is these the Audi has a bigger battery than the Polestar” you’d be as wrong as you’re here. I don’t mean to be harsh, but it’s not a matter of impression between the Audi and Porsche. It is very cut and dry.

[@KrisRifa]

And did say they have about the same amount of Gard touch plastics brukes the knee. That’s not true.

[@johnshepherd2666]

A man loving Porsches & Rolexs .....we could be brothers.😅

[@tobias5360]

Great video!

[@shingnosis]

The seats in the Polestar are a deal-breaker for me. I have a relatively tall back and I sit slumped and like a sack of potatoes in them, the headrest is too far forward. Even on medium trips it hurts my back and is very uncomfortable. I *much* prefer the typical German more upright seating position you find in Audi, VW and Mercedes. Volvos are like this too, never owned a Volvo for the same reason. Polestar really needs to have a serious look at their seats, just throw out everything they leaned about ergonomics from Volvo. It's crap.

[@mikewallace1723]

Guessing the market in Norway for EVs is very different, to many other countries? I was offered a December delivery for a Macan back in October. Don’t know what the current situation is now. You could order some models and drive away in less than 2 months. Turbo was a little longer. Also seen cars on Autotrader being offered with discounts. I am on a forum and there are discounts available in some countries. And stock cars available! Polestar appeals but currently not aware of any dealers in U.K. I have part ex and would want to negotiate. I guess, market in individual countries and even locally within countries, can vary significantly.

[@BabyKermit_]

0:07 What about the EX90?

[@Yonathanj8]

Great video, Kris! Which Rolex model were you wearing in the video? 🙂

[@bart170]

Hey, Kris! Saw your video today and spotted you in your porsche, small world. I got a audi 55 etron after watching your videos. Thanks for the content. I can buy the Porsche of your hands when you are ready to sell! Sick rims, although your car needs a wash…😉🤣 merry christmas

[@jayem8981]

Love all three of these cars for different reasons. Would likely go for the Macan, but the P3 would be a no-brainer if it was 800v and had better charging in particular. Would have to imagine with 800v it would also be a legit 350 mile range car in the dual motor model given 800v generally improves efficiency.

[@Kurre.]

The SPA2 cars will receive an 800v upgrade before 2030 according to the polestar reps at the international launch in Spain this summer

[@quavohuncho6156]

800v is useless. most of the people charge at Tesla supercharger and 400v works perfectly there. ive seen Polestar 3 charging at 256 kw/h at the tesla supercharger

[@jayem8981]

@@quavohuncho6156800v is FAR from useless, not sure where you’re getting your (faulty) information. First of all, Electrify America in particular (in the US obviously) is updating their network to be predominately 350kw per dispenser. Regarding 800 vs 400v, go take a look at the charging curve of the current Taycan vs. the Polestar 4 for example - or like for like, the 400v Zeekr 001 vs 800v Zeekr 001 charging statistics. Literally double the average power output or greater in the 800v systems. Secondly, the Tesla network will likely be significantly upgraded over the next 3 years (when many people will still be driving Polestar 3s) to v4 cabinets/dispensers capable of 500kw. This will obviously help with the P3 from an amperage perspective, but won’t replace the capability of an 800v system. This is not even taking into account the added efficiency of an 800v system, which would only increase maximum range. You, my friend, are ill-informed.

[@jayem8981]

@@quavohuncho6156You must not have heard of Electrify America - most of their chargers are 350kw now or moving in that direction. Also, Tesla is moving to v4 500kw chargers which will be far more prevalent during the lifespan of the P3. This isn’t even considering the inherent efficiency and performance (thermal mgmt) advantages of 800 vs 400v. 800v is far from useless and is a proper modern architecture. 400v is outdated.

[@Kurre.]

@@quavohuncho6156 Brainwashed by Tesla? Porsche and Lotus 800v cars can charge at >300kW in less than 20 minutes. The CT is the only Tesla with good charging and it is limited by being a shit vehicle

[@rayfieldlewis8780]

Hands down, Porsche Macan for me!

[@bazs7669]

Greet review Kris!

[@robertocalvo934]

Audi being noisy is a deal breaker for me. Surprised that Audi overlook sound insulation. What about the Porsche since its the same car?

[@jjsauer7125]

You can spec other Front Windows or just select other Tire combination

[@KrisRifa]

@@jjsauer7125 this car had double pain glass, the narrowest and quietest tires here, and was still the most noisy by a good margin.

[@jjsauer7125]

@@KrisRifa ok that is a surprise, hopefully quieter than my MYP with its horrable suspension... just ordered the sq6 sportback though...

[@KrisRifa]

@ yeah, Model Y is super noisy, period. This is noisy for the price point

[@christianolsen9781]

Not same car - same platform..

[@rudyzooti7159]

Which is best when 2 years old, maybe 22k miles?

[@christianolsen9781]

Why would that change which is best?

[@lucdevriese2134]

Any reaction from Polestar on the software/user interface niggles and when these will be adressed?

[@SharePortals]

Useful review

[@doubleclutchonline5811]

I've always been an Audi guy. They used to be great at designing smart looking vehicles. Currently, the one Audi that gets my juices flowing is the RS6. However, walking into an Audi showroom these days is just depressing. Junky exterior and interior design. Nothing but crossovers. Nothing sporty or unique (aside from the very niche RS6.) Their EV's are unattractive and not competitive. Audi has lost their uniqueness. They aren't premium anymore. Might as well get a Hyundai. As for the Polestar, they look great but I just can't bring myself to spend serious money on a Geely. I've test driven three Macans. The design is stunning. The exterior won't turn heads like a Rivian (which I own) or a Cybertruck (which is a dumpster,) The Macan's restrained design looks smart, is substantial and consistent with other Porsches. I find myself staring at it, loving it more and more. Still, there are some issues with the Porsche. First, the Macan 4 drives like a Porsche should but is way too slow for a premium sporty EV. No modern premium EV should hit 60 in the high 4's. That 0-60 number should start with a 3. This issue is solved with the Porsche Macan 4S, however then the range dips down to 288. This is a smallish crossover with a relatively large 100kWh battery. My Model X has the same size battery, is heavier, is much faster and is rated at 340 miles of range. Realistically, more like 300ish. How is it possible that the small, more modern Macan can't achieve decent acceleration while also surpassing 300 miles of range? Next, there is no brake regen. I've heard Porsches excuses, and I don't care. I like engine braking on a gas car, and it was the wrong decision to not offer regenerative braking on the Macan EV. That is the only major flaw I found with the driving experience. Porsche really should correct this with a software update. Lastly, and this is what will be the success or failure of Porsche's EV's... the dealers. Some of them clearly don't want to sell EV's. When the Taycan was launched years ago, I wanted to test drive one. They had them sitting on the lot, but the software was not updated. So they were unable to provide test drives. I bought a Model X instead. Today, it's the same issue with the Macan. The dealer has five in inventory today but none can be driven because the software needs to be updated. I went to a different dealer who also had five in inventory. Not only did they offer a test drive, they let me pick the vehicle with the options I wanted. This will be the dealer I work with, even though it's slightly less convenient.

[@piotrn6780]

Unfortunately you got it wrong with Polestar 3 price in GBP. Dual motor starts from £76k in UK but with sound system and other options which are linked, it would be £85k easily. Which is the price you could spec Macan 4, and now with 3% discount in the UK.

[@hakanlarsson5659]

No discount? I got 9.5% here in Sweden

[@KrisRifa]

Did you get a 9,5% discount on a Macan in Sweden? What dealer? I'd easily buy one from there and export it to Norway if I can save 100k NOK + !

[@peternord8893]

P3!

[@Hunman79]

Polestar 3

[@bhmbill]

What about the Volvo EX90? Where would it place?

[@KrisRifa]

Don't know, haven't driven one yet since Volvo still don't have a date on their press cars. I am guessing at the earliest in February 25.

I would spec a Macan same as out of spec Dave.. so around mid $80k

[@PEACEOUTXX1]

Porsche looks the best, has best interior, and charges the fastest. Easy W. Why is EVERYONE copying porsche lightbar across the back now? 😂

[@tevense]

Hmm. Can aford maybe the audi but want the porshe

[@OyiboVFX]

My Audi Q6 Edition one grey will be delivered end of this week. Would not even consider Chinese Volvo. I don’t need the Porsche. And I don’t like its styling. Audi is the perfect choice for me. And it’s easy to program the star button on the steering wheel for speed alert. Maybe you should read the manuals

[@DrDajom]

The Polestar is designed and engineered in Sweden and for Europe, built in the US.

[@OyiboVFX]

@ by a Chinese company

[@jblomqvi1474]

@@DrDajomthis is correct.

[@izemanevobike]

Basically I thought the "star button" thing would be no secrect anymore after he drove the Audi for so long?! Was surprised to see that he didn't know it.

[@OyiboVFX]

@@izemanevobike RTFM

[@lyrith2422]

The price of a car varies from country to country... Here, the Macan is very, very expensive. It costs about 150 million. You can buy a Taycan for that money. On the other hand, the Q6 costs around 100 million, and we don't know when the Polestar 3 will come out.

[@KrisRifa]

What country do you come from?

[@EGH666]

@@KrisRifa i made calculations but in canada the q6 quattro fully specced out is 900k kroner. the Polestar 3 with a similar spec (LR DM + leather) is 1 million . to give an example.

[@joshuabourgeois9734]

Macan ride is just another league compared to the 2 others

[@KrisRifa]

yes, as in not as good as Polestar 3. Thus another league, I'd agree

[@jaggykhela9028]

Why not compare with Polestar 4?

[@Gorge-xx2xu]

How on earth would you not buy the Porsche over the P3? It’s automotive royalty. Don’t like the look of the Q6 and I have been driving Audis for 25 years. Macan 4 for me. Business lease deal is a no brainer. Will be careful with the spec, though. I always over spec and then barely use or appreciate what I added.

[@TonOoms]

Porsche Macan ❤❤

[@ktim2855]

Really appreciate you doing these videos! Have you driven a Rivian R1S? Different class of vehicle but I’m considering it alongside the PS3 and Macan EV. Does anyone in here have thoughts?

[@Last-Code-Bender]

It's the Polestar 3 for me. I would get a spec with the BW sound system. Maybe the performance option as well If I'm not being frugal. I won't consider the Audi. and if I really want a Porsche, I'll get a real one like a 911 Turbo. I would have money left after specing the Polestar over the Porsche and I'll use the remaining money to fund some epic road trips 😊

[@ktim2855]

Thanks for the advice. I love it!

[@caid3952]

The Polestar 3 is not a straight competitor to the Macan or Q6 e-tron. This is where the Polestar 4 fits instead.

[@KrisRifa]

Polestar 4 isn't an SUV, doesn't come with air suspension and can't match these cars when it comes to charging speed, or real world range. Comfort wise and dynamically it is not in the same league as these. So yes, Polestar 3 is the closest competitor as show in this video and in my Triple Range test.

[@caid3952]

@ love the answer! Appreciate the reply 🙌

[@KrisRifa]

@@caid3952 Cheers! Go watch my Range Test of these and see how close they are :)

[@rempha]

Please add chapters for long videos.

[@manfredweiss8895]

Sorry guys but the interior is far away from beeing superb by Polestar. The Screen is not at all integrated and looks like a big tablet is used for. Then the usability is far away from Porsche and Audi. To compare the trunks you should take a meter and not stomach feelings. And a bit more know how of the specs of each car is necessary to do such a compare. Rear wheel drive for Audi is not available, ...

[@ramstein74]

Xpeng g6 performance

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

Well its personal and professional - you probably will keep the car for less then a year and which one gives you the best return for your channel, I could not say. Since the Polesatar is not ready yet - it's easy 1. Macan, 2. Audi, 3. Polestart. Or Macan now and the Polestar after.

[@kenhiett5266]

None of the above. The Model Y is the best per dollar/euro vehicle ever made and bests all of these in practicality. You could argue the ride is a bit too harsh, and I would agree with that particular critique, but it's better in most of the ways that matter for a daily driver and for much less money. If you need to impress someone, buy the Porsche that can't even comfortably accommodate an adult in the backseat, but if you're totally secure to the point you don't care what other people think, the anonymous Y is superior overall in class.

[@leluyaa]

Glad that you're happy with your Y 🙏🏼

[@vicariously4330]

🎯

[@kenhiett5266]

@@leluyaa Yes, I am definitely happy. The build quality issues/rattles are overwhelmingly a thing of the past in my experience. A common feature of a new auto manufacturer. It's just a really good all around vehicle in 2024. My Y can drive me from the parking lot of my office, to the driveway of my home (over 20 miles away) with little to no interventions. I love to drive, but stop and go rush hour traffic at the end of a long day isn't fun for anyone. This feature alone puts the Y head and shoulders above the competitors in this video.

[@mikewallace1723]

Plain ugly. As a matter of principle, I won’t buy a Tesla, until the current owner sticks his nose out of other countries politics, or Tesla removes the guy. My money , my freedom to choose.

[@kenhiett5266]

@@mikewallace1723 It's certainly your choice, but the Model Y is the best-selling vehicle in the world without you. "Removes the guy" who made Tesla worth all of the major auto manufacturers COMBINED. Good one...lol. Show me the groups over the last few centuries who were opposed to the values Elon is espousing, and I'll show you the people we recognize as being on the wrong side of history.

[@czacza1977]

Porsch...a? ;)

[@KrisRifa]

yes, I don't know if you noticed, but the video was in english - and in english that is how it is pronounced. In Norwegian we would pronounce it like they do in Germany. It's funny how different languages pronounce words different isn't it?

[@clubbizarre]

For me the Macan is the best and Polestar the worst. It's not the style, drive, ride, or feel... but because the polestars assist systems would annoy the hell out of me. Porsche drives the nicest as I've experienced, super comfortable and quiet, quick and direct. Roomy enough

[@querty292]

The answer: a gas car

[@JohnSmith-n5i1y]

This reviewer has shown before that he is not much of a driver. He cannot keep the car below the speed limit or keep the car in the lane, so the first thing he does is turn them off. He calls them nannie warnings of something similar. I just wish he would get some driving lessons.