BMW iX vs Polestar 3: Specs Compared
Also searched as Polestar 3 vs BMW iX specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The BMW iX and Polestar 3 are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 97 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Across 2 measured categories, the BMW iX leads in 1. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2022–2026
BMW iX
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 35 configurations
2025–2026
Polestar 3
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 12 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | BMW iX | Polestar 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 97 mpg | 97 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 99 mpg | 105 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 94 mpg ✓ | 89 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $800 | $800 |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | Not available |
| Engines offered | Not available | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Electricity | Electricity |
| EPA class | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2022–2026 | 2025–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 35 | 12 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
BMW iX vs Polestar 3: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the BMW iX burns about $800 of fuel annually against $800 for the Polestar 3. That $0 yearly gap compounds to roughly $0 over five years and $0 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Polestar 3 is the stronger commuter at 105 mpg city, while the BMW iX pulls ahead on the interstate at 94 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Drivetrain and class: the BMW iX is offered with All-Wheel Drive, the Polestar 3 with Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
iX vs 3: common questions
Which is better on gas, the BMW iX or the Polestar 3?
The BMW iX and Polestar 3 are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 97 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Polestar 3 runs about $800 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $800 for the BMW iX — a difference of roughly $0 per year.
What engines do the iX and 3 offer?
BMW iX: no engine data on record. Polestar 3: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the BMW iX and the Polestar 3 as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: bmw-ix-vs-polestar-3