The Polestar 4 is a radical coupe SUV that has one or two tricks up its Nordic-trimmed sleeve to take on the competition.
While Polestar and the rest of the industry refers to it as a “Coupe SUV,” in reality it’s not all that SUV-ish. Think of it as sitting somewhere between the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y in terms of size but with more luxury thrown in for good measure.
It bears a slight resemblance to the Jaguar I-Pace and has one very peculiar design choice.
something looks different…
You’ve probably noticed the lack of a rear windscreen. And no, it’s not a design afterthought where they filled in a missing part; this car was meant to be like this.
The idea is to boost rear headroom and comfort for passengers while also improving the aerodynamics of the car. Odd choice, but Polestar engineers love to push the envelope.
Instead of the usual rear glass, you get a massive panoramic glass roof that stretches over the heads of the rear passengers, flooding the cabin with light. It keeps things airy and spacious back there.
Polestar also says you can drop the rear divider to fit long items or, if you’re feeling brave, maybe even a dog.
but why no rear windscreen?
The reasoning, according to Polestar, is that with the 4’s sleek and narrow fastback tail, a regular rear window would’ve ended up being a tiny letterbox, making a rear-view mirror pretty much useless. So, instead, they’ve installed a wide-angle camera on the roof, which beams a live feed to a screen where the mirror normally would be.
Now, Polestar assures us, “You’ll get used to it”. But honestly, we didn’t. The screen is just inches from your eyes, so instead of a quick glance, you have to focus and adjust, which feels unnatural.
Unlike a regular mirror where the reflection matches your road view’s distance, this setup is like staring at a TV that’s too close. So, like a van driver, you’ll probably find yourself relying more on the wing mirrors.
clean and stylish.
Looking past the quirky rear, the rest of the Polestar 4 is very much in line with the brand’s aesthetic; clean, minimalist, and unmistakably Scandinavian. Up front, the central touchscreen has gone landscape, spanning 15.4 inches. Drivers are supported by a 10.2-inch driver’s display and a 14.7-inch head-up display.
The interface is a step up from the 2 as well. The menus and colour palettes are simplified. Fewer taps, fewer headaches, a win for usability.
The front seats are sublime. And you’d think the lack of a rear windscreen might make things feel a bit claustrophobic back there, but the full-length glass roof stretches past the rear passengers’ heads, so it always feels light and airy.
Plus, the rear seats even come with a partial recline feature, which is a nice touch for longer drives.
The boot is spacious enough, clocking in at 526 litres, plus a frunk is handy for extra storage.
neat little extras.
The Polestar 4 also comes with some interesting in-car modes. ‘Keep Climate’ keeps the air-con running for up to 8 hours while the car is stationary, as does ‘Animal Mode’, but also puts a message on the centre screen to reassure any concerned passers-by that your pet isn’t roasting inside the car.
There’s also ‘Car Wash Mode’, which (before you get too excited) doesn’t automatically clean your car. It just preps the vehicle for going through a car wash.
And if you’re into celestial themes, the Polestar 4’s interior lighting is inspired by the planets. You can bask in the golden glow of the Sun, or, if you’re feeling a bit moody, opt for the atmospheric blues of Uranus.
and you get all of that in a sleek package.
The Polestar 4 is reserved and elegant, avoiding the flashiness of some rivals, yet still managing to turn heads with its confident design. It’s the kind of car that raises eyebrows and starts conversations, and in a world of cookie-cutter electric SUVs, that’s no bad thing.
And you will enjoy countless hours of confused driver expressions through the rear-view camera each time someone pulls up behind you.
looks good and all, but how’s the driving bit?
Well, here’s the thing. The Polestar 4 is currently labelled the fastest Polestar you can buy in their line-up, but even in dual-motor guise, it doesn’t quite deliver the punch you’d expect.
Yes, it’s undeniably quick. 544hp and 686Nm allow you to rock the century sprint in 3.8 seconds.
But, power is delivered in a wave rather than in a neck-snapping instant, so a dual-motor Polestar 2 would still feel more punchy off the line. Though, to me that’s a good thing; you do not want to give your passengers unnecessary whiplash while ferrying them in the 4.
It feels heavy, but that heft brings with it a sense of solid integrity, with no unwanted rattles or shakes from the body or suspension. The adaptive damping is spot on when it comes to high-frequency control, reining in the body and offering a more consistent and comfortable ride.
The steering offers three settings, but honestly, the heaviest one is the best. It gives you a more natural weight buildup as you turn the wheel. The lighter settings aren’t bad because they’re, well, lighter, but because they feel inconsistent when you’re adding lock.
Interestingly, the Performance Pack doesn’t boost power like it does in the Polestar 2. Instead, you get the Plus Pack and some fancy ‘Polestar Engineered’ chassis tuning, forged 22-inch wheels, Pirelli P-Zero tyres, and Brembo brake callipers, all accented with Swedish Gold.
what about range?
On paper, the WLTP range is 590km for the dual-motor. Real-world numbers will likely be closer to 480-520km, but that’s still plenty for most people.
When it’s time to recharge, the Polestar 4 supports up to 200kW DC fast charging, so you can get from 10 to 80 percent in about half an hour on a speedy enough charger.
i’m concerned about safety too.
Polestar sticks to its Volvo-inspired safety ethos, so airbags, crash zones, and all the fancy tech to keep you and your passengers safe are front and centre.
Parking is a breeze too, with 12 ultrasonic sensors and 11 exterior cameras providing a clear 360 view. Heck, you probably don’t need to exit the vehicle in order to see what’s happening outside.
and that is why…
The Polestar 4 is an intriguing ride with distinctive design elements. The interior is delightful, spacious, and the overall vibe is relaxed. While the lack of a rear window might be a learning curve for some, it’s a slope that’s extremely easy to conquer considering how much tech you get for your cash.
The sensible Swedes know how to design a thing or two, you know. Just look at their furniture.
technical specifications.
Polestar 4 (Dual Motor)
Engine: Dual Electric Motor
Powertrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 400 kW (544 hp)
Torque: 686 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 3.8 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 200 km/h
Battery Capacity: 100 kWh
Drive Range: 590 km (WLTP)
Energy Consumption: 4.6 km/kWh (WLTP)
Price: S$381,000 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Polestar Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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