Polestar

Polestar 4

Boasting coupe good looks and SUV practicality, the Polestar 4 is guaranteed to draw attention from onlookers wherever it goes. This EV offers excellent performance, an impressive driving range between charges and a wealth of on-board technology. But, and it’s a big but, there is no rear window!

Test Drive

Polestar 4 – First Drive (2024)

Minimalism is a buzzword in today’s motoring world, with fewer physical buttons and dependency on touchscreens becoming the norm. However, Polestar has taken this concept to a whole new level by eliminating the rear window entirely.

It sounds unconventional, right? Well it is, but drivers can still see what’s going on behind them thanks to a live camera feed that streams onto a digital mirror.

It’s one of the eye-catching features on the all-new Polestar 4 which boasts coupe-like styling combined with SUV practicality. That has been achieved by moving the rear cabin space backwards and ditching that back window.

At launch, customers can choose between single or dual motor models, offering rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, respectively. Both versions feature a Long range 100kWh battery, with the Dual motor variant providing significantly more power. Prices start at £59,990 for the Long range Single motor Polestar 4 and £66,990 for the AWD version. We opted for the lesser-powered, rear-wheel drive car for our scenic test drive through the Cotswolds and into mid-Wales.

The test car did feature some optional extras that saw the final price-tag climb to £63,340. These included upgraded upholstery, privacy glass, striking 21-inch black polished forged alloy wheels, and a Pilot Pack, which introduces semi-autonomous driving features like lane keeping and automatic parking.

Included in the cost was the Plus Pack, featuring a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a 14.7-inch head-up display, upgraded pixel LED headlights with adaptive high beam, and a powered soft-closing tailgate with foot sensor operation.

Polestar has earned an enviable reputation for designing remarkably good looking cars and the Polestar 4 is no exception. The panoramic glass roof tapers away towards the rear, while there are dual blade headlights, an illuminated Polestar logo, flush door handles, plus those 21-inch upgraded alloy wheels.

Moving inside, you’re welcomed by a modern cabin that has been created with a keen eye on sustainability, featuring animal welfare-secured Nappa leather seats and tailored knit textile upholstery. The powered seats, along with the steering wheel and outer rear seats, can be heated for added comfort.

It is upmarket, elegant and clutter-free, with minimal physical controls. Instead, the 15.4-inch infotainment screen serves as the central hub for nearly all functions, from adjusting the steering wheel and regenerative braking settings to switching drive modes and opening the glovebox. This screen also controls the sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, the pitch perfect sound system, reversing camera, Bluetooth and Google Assistant.

Now, back to that digital mirror. Without a rear window, how does the driver see what’s going on behind the car? The answer lies in a roof-mounted camera that projects a live feed onto what appears to be a standard rear-view mirror. It can be a little distracting at first and I’m still torn on whether or not owners will adjust as easily as Polestar believes, but only time will tell.

Important driving data like speed, range, and battery levels are displayed on a clear driver information screen behind the steering wheel, complemented by a head-up display.

When it comes to performance, the Polestar 4 with a Single motor delivers 272hp and 343Nm of torque, achieving a 0-62mph time of 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. For those seeking more power, the Dual motor variant boasts 544hp and 686Nm of torque, reducing the 0-62mph time to just 3.8 seconds.

Any range anxiety issues are alleviated with the Single motor model, as tested, offering up to 385 miles and the Dual version achieving 367 miles between charges. Performance-wise, our car was quick off the line, making overtaking slower vehicles and merging onto a motorway a simple process. It handles winding roads beautifully, with excellent grip and minimal body sway even at higher speeds.

Cruising effortlessly at 70mph on the motorway is a breeze, and the steering weight and suspension can be adjusted through the touchscreen. In stop-and-go traffic, regenerative braking levels can also be modified via the screen, allowing for single-pedal driving.

Practicality-wise, the Polestar 4 is an absolute winner with bundles of space up front for a couple of six-footers to sit comfortably. There is ample powered seat adjustment and the mirrors and steering wheel settings, altered via the screen, can all be saved into profiles. There is the facility to store a driver, plus five guest profiles, allowing for customisation of driving routes, screen and climate preferences, favourite radio stations and much more besides.

Rear passengers also enjoy generous leg, shoulder, and headroom, with seats that can recline for added comfort. The completely flat floor means the middle occupant isn’t straddling a tunnel and light floods into the cabin through the huge glass roof.

The boot, accessed via a powered tailgate, can swallow 526 litres of storage, extending to 1,536 litres with the rear seats down. There’s also a covered storage compartment under the bonnet for an additional 15 litres. While the sporty design results in a smaller boot capacity compared to some rivals, the cabin provides multiple storage solutions, including a glovebox (accessed via the touchscreen), a central cubby, cup holders, door bins, and a wireless charging pad.

Charging the 100kWh battery from 10-80 per cent takes just 30 minutes via a 200kW fast charger. A 11kW home charger is more economical, and would need about 11 hours for a full charge. The Polestar 4 has a kerb weight of 2,230kg and can tow a braked trailer or caravan weighing up to 1,500kg.

Despite not being tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating yet, the Polestar 4 is packed to bursting with safety features and driver assistance aids to help protect occupants and other road users alike.

At launch, customers can choose between rear or all-wheel drive, with both options labelled as ‘Long range’ but future versions are likely to offer a Short range option at a lower price point, broadening the appeal of this impressive coupe-esque SUV even further.