Apple iCar vs. EQE SUV, Polestar 3, and Model X: A 2027 Comparison

Since the automotive industry embraced the concept of turning cars into sophisticated computers on wheels and tech giants pursued the smartphone Holy Grail, there has been ongoing discussion about merging these two ecosystems in unprecedented ways—tech companies venturing into car manufacturing and vice versa.

A significant milestone was recently achieved when Chinese automaker Nio launched its first smartphone in September 2023, designed to offer an unparalleled level of integration with its electric vehicles (EVs). Some critics argue that a tech company with no prior experience in the field might not produce a great phone, but the trend is clear: more companies, such as Polestar, are likely to follow suit by manufacturing or outsourcing the production of smart devices for seamless integration with their vehicles. Concurrently, certain tech producers, particularly from China, are determined to enter the automotive market. For instance, Huawei collaborated with Chery Auto to develop the Luxeed S7 EV, which is rumored to outperform the Tesla Model S.

However, among all these developments, Apple’s long-anticipated foray into the automotive world, often referred to as ‘Project Titan,’ stands out as the ultimate point of fascination for smartphone and car enthusiasts. Speculation about Apple’s venture into car production first surfaced in 2014, and after nine years and countless rumors, the company’s secretive ‘iCar’ efforts remain shrouded in mystery.

Interestingly, even the rumor mill and imaginative digital car content creators are uncertain about Apple’s immediate intentions or capability to produce a car. Some recent attempts, like the vision of the Apple iCar presented by industrial designer Giorgi Tedoradze, envision a mid-size luxury crossover SUV called ‘Apple iWay,’ but it’s set in the distant future, possibly as a 2027 model. If and when it materializes, it would likely aim to challenge Tesla, much like the way the first iPhones disrupted the early smartphone market and its operating systems, including Microsoft’s Windows Mobile.

One could speculate that the competition between an Apple iCar or iWay and Tesla might resemble the rivalry between iOS and Android, coexisting and vying for dominance in the EV automotive market. Giorgi Tedoradze has revisited his unofficial vision, comparing the virtual Apple iCar to potential competitors such as the Tesla Model X, the Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV, and the upcoming Polestar 3 crossover SUV (a sibling of the recently launched Volvo EX90). Which of these vehicles is your favorite, and do you believe an Apple iCar or iWay could challenge Tesla’s current supremacy?