Hyundai Nexo vs Polestar 3: Specs Compared
Also searched as Polestar 3 vs Hyundai Nexo specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Polestar 3 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 97 mpg combined versus 68 mpg for the Hyundai Nexo, a 29 mpg advantage.
Across 3 measured categories, the Polestar 3 leads in 3. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2019–2026
Hyundai Nexo
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 16 configurations
2025–2026
Polestar 3
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 12 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Hyundai Nexo | Polestar 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 68 mpg | 97 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 71 mpg | 105 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 64 mpg | 89 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | Not available | $800 |
| Lowest CO2 output | Not available | Not available |
| Engines offered | PMSM, PEM | Not available |
| Transmissions | Automatic (A1) | Automatic (A1) |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Hydrogen | Electricity |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Years covered | 2019–2026 | 2025–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 16 | 12 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Hyundai Nexo vs Polestar 3: what the numbers mean
City and highway economy: the Polestar 3 leads in both cycles — 105 mpg city and 89 mpg highway against 71 and 64 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Powertrain choice: the Hyundai Nexo is recorded with 2 distinct engine configurations (PMSM, PEM), the Polestar 3 with no. Across 16 recorded Hyundai Nexo configurations and 12 for the Polestar 3, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Hyundai Nexo is offered with Front-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 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Nexo vs 3: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Hyundai Nexo or the Polestar 3?
The Polestar 3 is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 97 mpg combined versus 68 mpg for the Hyundai Nexo, a 29 mpg advantage.
What engines do the Nexo and 3 offer?
Hyundai Nexo: PMSM, PEM. Polestar 3: no engine data on record.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Hyundai Nexo as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD and the Polestar 3 as Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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Comparison id: hyundai-nexo-vs-polestar-3