BMW i3 vs Polestar 2: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Polestar 2 costs about $7,099 less

That's $99 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

i3 50 xDrive$1,824/moTrue cost

2 Long range Dual motor✓ $1,725/moTrue cost

2027 BMW i3

Closest matching trim: i3 50 xDrive

Sticker (MSRP)$74,900

+$13,913→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$88,813

+ running costs→↓− $25,899 resale

True cost$1,824/moA month to own, after resale

2027 Polestar 2

Closest matching trim: 2 Long range Dual motor

Sticker (MSRP)$69,900

+$13,041→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$82,941

+ running costs→↓− $24,170 resale

True cost$1,725/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	$74,900	✓ $69,900	2 by $5,000
Freight and fees, before tax	$3,696	✓ $3,499	2 by $197
Sales tax (HST)	$10,217	✓ $9,542	2 by $675
Drive-away price	$88,813	✓ $82,941	2 by $5,872
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $2,775	$3,548	i3 by $773
Insurance (estimate)	$18,873	✓ $18,213	2 by $660
Maintenance (estimate)	$11,179	✓ $10,478	2 by $701
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	$17,627	✓ $16,392	2 by $1,235
Lost return on your money	$17,870	✓ $16,737	2 by $1,133
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$25,899	−$24,170	i3 by $1,729
Total
True cost	$131,329	✓ $124,230	2 by $7,099
True cost a month	$1,824/mo	✓ $1,725/mo	2 by $99
You pay each month	$1,866/mo	✓ $1,759/mo	2 by $107
Practical
Fuel type	Electric	Electric	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	Not published	3	—
Towing, lb	—	2,000	—
Fast charge, minutes	—	28 (10-80%)	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	Not published	407	—
Range, km (winter about 70%)	—	447 (313)	—
Length	4.76 m	4.61 m	—
Ground clearance	—	15 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	35%	35%	—
US crash test	Not rated yet	Not rated yet	—
European crash test	—	✓ 5★ (2021)	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

i3 50 xDrive $74,9002 Long range Dual motor ✓ $69,900Cheaper by 2 by $5,000

Freight and fees, before tax

i3 50 xDrive $3,6962 Long range Dual motor ✓ $3,499Cheaper by 2 by $197

Sales tax (HST)

i3 50 xDrive $10,2172 Long range Dual motor ✓ $9,542Cheaper by 2 by $675

Drive-away price

i3 50 xDrive $88,8132 Long range Dual motor ✓ $82,941Cheaper by 2 by $5,872

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

i3 50 xDrive ✓ $2,7752 Long range Dual motor $3,548Cheaper by i3 by $773

Insurance (estimate)

i3 50 xDrive $18,8732 Long range Dual motor ✓ $18,213Cheaper by 2 by $660

Maintenance (estimate)

i3 50 xDrive $11,1792 Long range Dual motor ✓ $10,478Cheaper by 2 by $701

Loan rate

i3 50 xDrive 6.5%2 Long range Dual motor 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

i3 50 xDrive $17,6272 Long range Dual motor ✓ $16,392Cheaper by 2 by $1,235

Lost return on your money

i3 50 xDrive $17,8702 Long range Dual motor ✓ $16,737Cheaper by 2 by $1,133

Resale after 6 yrs

i3 50 xDrive ✓ −$25,8992 Long range Dual motor −$24,170Cheaper by i3 by $1,729

Total

True cost

i3 50 xDrive $131,3292 Long range Dual motor ✓ $124,230Cheaper by 2 by $7,099

True cost a month

i3 50 xDrive $1,824/mo2 Long range Dual motor ✓ $1,725/moCheaper by 2 by $99

You pay each month

i3 50 xDrive $1,866/mo2 Long range Dual motor ✓ $1,759/moCheaper by 2 by $107

Practical

Fuel type

i3 50 xDrive Electric2 Long range Dual motor ElectricCheaper by —

Seats

i3 50 xDrive 52 Long range Dual motor 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

i3 50 xDrive Not published2 Long range Dual motor 3Cheaper by —

Towing, lb

i3 50 xDrive —2 Long range Dual motor 2,000Cheaper by —

Fast charge, minutes

i3 50 xDrive —2 Long range Dual motor 28 (10-80%)Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

i3 50 xDrive Not published2 Long range Dual motor 407Cheaper by —

Range, km (winter about 70%)

i3 50 xDrive —2 Long range Dual motor 447 (313)Cheaper by —

Length

i3 50 xDrive 4.76 m2 Long range Dual motor 4.61 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

i3 50 xDrive —2 Long range Dual motor 15 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

i3 50 xDrive 35%2 Long range Dual motor 35%Cheaper by —

US crash test

i3 50 xDrive Not rated yet2 Long range Dual motor Not rated yetCheaper by —

European crash test

i3 50 xDrive —2 Long range Dual motor ✓ 5★ (2021)Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale for both is typical for their type and brand (unless you lease). Their stickers differ by $5,000.