Review: Polestar 4
Polestar 4 Car Review
Polestar’s range of vehicles is expanding with lightning fashion. While the Polestar 2 has been on our roads for some time, that’s all set to change this year with the arrival of the Polestar 3 SUV and this car - the 4. It’s a car destined for controversy from the off, mainly down to its design which sees it lacking any rear screen.
But putting its styling aside, what can the Polestar 4 offer and is it worth considering over a more traditional electric vehicle? We’ve been driving it to find out.
What’s new?
Polestar calls the 4 a sports SUV. While it may have a relatively sleek roofline - aided by that lack of rear glass - it actually stands quite tall and gives the driver a more raised seating position than you’d get in your typical saloon, for example. In terms of the wider Polestar range, the 4 has been designed to slot between the 2 and the 3 - making it a little confusing when it comes to numerical order.
Inside, there’s boatloads of tech centred around Android’s Automotive software. Polestar has put a big emphasis on making the touchscreen easy to use and navigate, too, so you’ll find a good deal of shortcut pages and easy-to-use menus.
What’s under the bonnet?
Further down the line, you’ll be able to get the 4 with other motor combinations, but for now, we’re looking at the dual-motor version which brings a hefty 536bhp to the table alongside 686Nm of torque for 0-60mph of 3.7 seconds. It means that this Polestar certainly leans on the side of sportiness when it comes to straight-line acceleration.
In terms of range, Polestar claims that the dual-motor 4 will manage up to 367 miles between trips to the plug, compared with the 385 miles that you should get in the single-motor version. Both get the same 94kWh battery, however.
What’s Polestar 4 like to drive?
Polestar puts the 4 in the sportier end of the driving spectrum and, in many areas, that’s on the money. It corners flatly and with little drama, while the instant delivery of torque makes it feel urgent when you’re exiting a bend, too. The steering is a touch lifeless - you can add some extra weight to it by toggling through different driver modes - and despite its reasonably large size, it’s not too tricky to thread down narrower roads.
The rear windscreen is replaced by a digital rear-view mirror which projects an image captured by the roof-mounted camera. It’s a bit tricky to get used to initially and it’s set to be a very divisive touch - some drivers may get on with it just fine, while others may struggle to adjust to it once they’re behind the wheel.
How does it look?
The 4 incorporates a design that is bound to get people talking. Up front, it’s quite similar to the new 3 and bears more than a slight relation to the 2, so it’s all very in keeping with the usual Polestar Scandi style. It’s around the back where things change dramatically. Polestar says that by leaving out the rear screen it has been able to lower the roofline while still maintaining a decent level of headroom in the back, which is something that you’re not able to achieve in a ‘typical’ coupe-inspired SUV.
Will it date over time? It’s hard to tell. It may smack slightly of form leading function but as a way of making a statement, the Polestar 4 does very well.
What’s it like inside?
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Like the models that have come before it, Polestar’s 4 has a stripped-back interior aesthetic which aims to create a calm, sophisticated place to be. Whereas other competitors dazzle with plenty of buttons, controls and varying materials the 4 takes a more measured approach. The material quality is very good, in fact, and all the primary fixtures and fittings feel as though they have been well attached. As for overall space, things are good; there’s loads of room to stretch out for those in the back, though the lack of rear screen can make it feel a little claustrophobic.
There are plenty of recycled materials used throughout, too, with plenty of reclaimed plastic being remade into components like the main carpets and floor mats.
What’s the spec like?
This dual-motor Polestar 4 will cost around £59,990, meaning that it represents quite an investment. However, the Swedish brand has packed it with plenty of equipment including a 15.4-inch infotainment display which, as we mentioned earlier, is easier to use than you might expect thanks to some cleverly designed menus and a good level of responsiveness overall.
The rear digital mirror is, of course, one of the key pieces of technology on offer here. If you’ve kids in the back and want to check on them while you’re on the move you can flip the rear-view mirror which takes it from its ‘projected’ view and turns it into a conventional mirror so you can still look in and find out what they’re up to back there.
Polestar 4 Verdict
The Polestar 4 is an interesting proposition. It’s got that head-turning styling that buyers in this class will be looking for but this is backed up by an interior which feels both well-made and exciting in overall design.
Is it sporty overall? Not particularly. But if you’re after a car that’ll get people talking whenever you arrive, the Polestar 4 could be the model for you.
Polestar 4 Lease Deals
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