Polestar 4 review

Is the Polestar 4 a good car?

The cutting-edge Polestar 4 likes to do things a little differently, and is sure to attract buyers who want to make a statement. The lack of a rear window will always be a talking point, but it’s just that really, and doesn’t detract from the day-to-day driving experience or sophisticated interior. That said, some of the technology onboard can feel overwhelming at times, and while the car has a sporty edge, it isn’t engaging to drive.

How much does the Polestar 4 cost?

Unintentionally or not, the Polestar 4 has done a fantastic job of raising the profile of what was already a much discussed and rapidly growing brand, because before a single example had hit the streets, so much had already been said about ‘the car with no rear window’. But there is much more to this car than that.

The fourth model to arrive from the Volvo spin-off, the Polestar 4 is a premium electric coupé-SUV, with the Porsche Macan Electric its most direct rival. However, we expect potential buyers may also be considering everything from low-slung saloons such as the Audi A6 e-tron to practical mid-size SUVs such as the Tesla Model Y. 

The Polestar 4 starts from £59,990, which is a few thousand pounds less than A6 e-tron’s base price and nearly £9k less than that of the Macan EV. There’s no endlessly multiplying model range or sprawling options lists like you get with Porsche, either; instead Polestar gives its customers a much more streamlined selection of a single or dual-motor powertrain, both using the same battery, a handful of paint colours and interior themes, plus some options packs and accessories. 

We expect most buyers will opt for the entry-level Polestar 4. It features a 268bhp rear-mounted e-motor and a 94kWh usable battery that offers a huge range of up to 385 miles – compared to the 536bhp all-wheel-drive model, which will supposedly do 367 miles on one charge, but does cut the car’s 0-62mph time down from 7.1 seconds to just 3.8. 

There are six paint finishes to choose from. Silver ‘Magnesium’ is the only no-cost option, with the others ranging from £1,000 to £1,400. Similarly, a charcoal colour interior is standard, or buyers can add a white and technical knit upholstery scheme for £900, or upgrade to black or white Nappa leather for £2,000.

Beyond this, there are four equipment packs available. The first is the Plus Pack which is currently fitted on all cars and includes an excellent Harman Kardon sound system, pixel LED headlights, a three-zone climate control system, a head-up display and a powered tailgate.

The Pilot Pack costs around £1,300 and adds some safety features, while the £1,800 Pro Pack comes with 21-inch wheels and gold-coloured seatbelts. Finally, the £4,000 Performance Pack features chassis tweaks to sharpen the driving experience. However the Performance Pack can only be added to dual-motor models.

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The Polestar 4 has solid road manners with its impressively comfortable ride. The rear-wheel-drive model offers more than enough power, but the dual-motor car’s standard-fit adaptive suspension adds another layer to its dynamic prowess. Despite a decent chassis balance, the car never truly lets you forget about its significant kerbweight. Read more about the Polestar 4's electric motor, performance and drive here…

The Polestar 4 might not offer the longest range in the world, or even within the brand’s line-up, but 385 miles is excellent nonetheless. Charging speeds aren’t segment-leading either, yet sufficient for quick top-ups on the go, and efficiency is fairly average too. Read more about the Polestar 4's range, charging and running costs here…

The Polestar 4 retains the brand’s minimalist interior philosophy, but has an extra air of sophistication and genuine premium appeal. Overall quality seems excellent, backing up the sense of refinement you get from the interior. In some areas, the Polestar 4 is overly reliant on technology, but if you can get to grips with the user interface, you’ll be impressed. Read more about the Polestar 4's interior, design and technology here…

The Polestar 4’s sleek shape doesn’t suggest it’s going to be a great practical family SUV, but it’s a lot better than you might expect in this regard. Passenger space in the rear is good and it doesn’t feel too gloomy without that rear window. There’s also a big boot, but the ‘frunk’ in the nose would benefit from being bigger. Read more about the Polestar 4's boot space, comfort and practicality here…

The Polestar 4 has yet to undergo a full Euro NCAP crash test, although the brand’s family ties to Volvo would make a five-star rating a safe bet. The Polestar 4 has a lot of impressive safety features as standard and other models on the same platform as it uses have scored well in previous years. Read more about the Polestar 4's reliability and safety here…

Polestar 4 alternatives

There are a lot of mid-size electric SUVs around these days, even at the premium end of the market where the Polestar 4 competes, so buyers have plenty of choice. Even in this crowded setting, however, the Polestar 4 manages to stand out and it will deservedly appeal to style-conscious buyers looking for something a little out of the ordinary. 

It’s a very workable family car, one that justifies its premium positioning with a quality feel, solid build and futuristic design. There are more practical options, like the Tesla Model Y, which is cheaper too. Other models – such as the Porsche Macan – are more enjoyable to drive. So the main appeal of the Polestar lies in its style and the way it embraces modern technology, even if some tech features are more successful than others.