The Polestar 2 that was launched in 2019 confirmed the world that you just didn’t want a Tesla to expertise a well-rounded EV. However since then, the electrical automobile market has exploded, with new opponents pushing Polestar to both evolve or fall behind. Now, the bigger Polestar 4 has arrived, and it could possibly be a make-or-break second for the Swedish-Chinese language automaker, so it higher ship.
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After spending per week with the Lengthy Vary Single Motor model, it’s clear that this mannequin brings a noticeable enchancment over the Polestar 2. It seamlessly blends cutting-edge expertise with a stage of European luxurious that raises the bar for EVs on this section.
So, what makes the Polestar 4 stand out? Let’s dive in.
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Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Polestar is gearing as much as launch the 4 in the USA later this quarter, however over in Australia, it’s been obtainable since late final yr. It goes immediately towards autos just like the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Mannequin Y, and even the smaller BMW i4.
Australia’s EV market is changing into more and more aggressive, notably due to the arrival of a number of new manufacturers from China. However, like with the two, Polestar is positioning itself as a barely extra premium providing, and but, the Polestar 4 has really been priced very effectively.
The Candy Spot In The Vary?
Native costs begin at AU$78,500 (US$50,800), earlier than on-road prices, or roughly AU$85,000 (US$55,000) with all charges paid. Maybe the Polestar’s most blatant rival is the Kia EV6, because it greatest matches the sedan/SUV form of the 4. It begins at AU$72,590 (US$47,000) earlier than charges for the most cost effective model and AU$79,590 (US$51,500) for the EV6 GT-Line RWD. Nonetheless, the pre-facelift EV6 solely has a 77.4 kWh battery, in comparison with the 100 kWh pack of the Polestar 4, and has a peak vary of 528 km (328 miles), in comparison with the Polestar’s 620 km (385 miles).
We drove the Polestar 4 in Lengthy Vary Single Motor guise. It was additionally optioned with the AU$8,000 (US$5,200) Plus Pack, which is a should. This provides a thumping Harmon Kardon audio system, a 14-7-inch head-up show, a mesh materials throughout the inside, pixel LED headlights, auto-dimming mirrors, and a touchscreen show for rear-seat passengers. It additionally provides 12-way adjustable entrance seats, energy reclining rear seats, 3-zone local weather management, a heated steering wheel, and assist for 22 kW AC house prices.
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Whereas the Lengthy Vary Single Motor is the bottom mannequin, it doesn’t really feel prefer it.
Positioned between the rear wheels is a single electrical motor delivering 272 hp (200 kW) and 253 lb-ft (343 Nm) of torque. This motor receives its juice from a 400-volt ,100 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.1 seconds and tops out at 200 km/h (124 mph). Polestar additionally sells the 4 in Lengthy Vary Twin Motor guise, which provides a 200 kW motor to the entrance axle, leading to a mixed 400 kW (544 hp) and 506 lb-ft (686 Nm). Nonetheless, the only motor model might be the candy spot within the line-up.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
A Attractive Cabin – However Is It Too Minimalist?
The match and end of the Polestar 4’s cabin is excellent. Not solely is it manner forward of any Kia, Hyundai, or Tesla, nevertheless it feels extra premium than even the BMW i4’s.
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A 15.4-inch infotainment display screen screams on your consideration – however extra on that later. The factor that instantly stands out is the standard of the supplies used. The sunshine gray MicroTech fake leather-based featured on our tester was plush and joined by equally mushy and supple black leather-based. There’s hardly any exhausting black plastic in sight, and never even the decrease extremities of the tunnel are plastic, however fairly trimmed in mushy carpet. Polestar additionally presents a Nappa leather-based improve to take issues to the following stage.
After you’re completed admiring the supplies, the extremely minimalist design turns into obvious. Polestar has clearly taken a leaf out of Tesla’s playbook on this one, eliminating nearly each button and change and transferring most controls to the touchscreen. Whereas I can admire this resolution from a design standpoint, it’s not probably the most sensible answer.
Like in a a Tesla, you’ll must enter the touchscreen to regulate the steering wheel and wing mirrors, when regular buttons for these would work completely effectively. All the local weather management settings are additionally achieved by way of the display screen. The one bodily dial used is a big quantity knob sitting within the heart of the console, plus Polestar has additionally moved to a column shifter. It’s all a little bit too minimalist for my liking – however to every, their very own.
Learn: 2026 Polestar 2 Appears The Similar However Hides Main Inside Improve
Cupboard space is nothing kind of nice, due to the massive void beneath the floating heart console. There’s additionally a sizeable space beneath the armrest and a big glove field, though it, too, is annoyingly operated by way of the touchscreen,. All Polestar 4s come geared up with sports activities seats that supply good assist and are, at he similar time, supremely comfy. Nonetheless, it might be good if the headrests weren’t built-in into the backrests and could possibly be adjusted independently; however that’s simply me.
All Polestar 4s come normal with a sweeping panoramic glass roof and no rear window. This has been in all probability the main speaking level of the EV because it was first revealed. I’m completely satisfied to report that after spending a number of hours behind the wheel, I rapidly adjusted to utilizing the digital rearview mirror. Nonetheless, I’ve heard complaints from individuals who must put on prescription glasses.
Trying on the 4 from the skin, you can be excused for considering the rear seats can be extremely cramped. That’s not the case. By eliminating the rear window, Polestar has been in a position to prolong the glass roof in keeping with the rear headrests. Rear area is palatial. I’m 6’2” and with the motive force’s seat in my most well-liked place, I had 4 inches of legroom within the again and about half an inch of headroom to the glass. The Polestar 4’s 2,999 mm (118-inch) wheelbase is 1 mm shorter than the EV6’s, however the rear does really feel larger.
As talked about, the Plus Pack additionally provides a touchscreen for the rear passengers, permitting for particular person controls of the audio and local weather management system. There’s a superb quantity of rear cargo area too, rated at 526 liters (18.5 cubic-feet) with the rear seats up and 1,536 liters (54.2 cubic-feet) with them folded down, in addition to a 15-liter (0.5 cubic foot) frunk.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Again to the infotainment system. Like within the Polestar 2, the 4’s working system makes use of Android Automotive. Which means it contains native assist for the Play Retailer, permitting you to obtain apps like Spotify, Google Maps, and Waze. It additionally helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay, however curiously, doesn’t assist Android Auto out of your telephone. As such, diehard Android Auto customers might want to get used to utilizing the native system, which operates very like an Android-powered pill.
The show is brilliant, crisp, and responsive. Polestar has additionally achieved a superb job making the settings simple to grasp and entry, creating giant tiles for particular person settings that may be triggered on and off, making them simple to play with whereas on the transfer. As talked about, all of the local weather settings are housed within the display screen, too, however I rapidly received used to them.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Is This The EV To Purchase?
I had a revelation whereas testing the Polestar 4. For the primary time, I might really image myself utilizing an EV as my every day driver, and it made the Genesis GV70 I additionally had in my storage on the similar time really feel a bit archaic by comparability.
The 4 has additionally been effectively insulated, and whereas it doesn’t have double-pane glass, the home windows are thicker than most automobiles. It blocks out virtually all exterior noise at freeway speeds, making it a serene place to spend time in.
There’s loads of poke, too. Whereas we solely examined the rear-wheel drive mannequin, it presents sufficient grunt, and that instantaneous response you’d count on from an EV. Efficiency-hungry lovers can be well-advised to go for the twin motor, however for many patrons, this one ought to suffice. Its 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of seven.1 seconds is on the slower aspect, particularly when you think about that the Tesla Mannequin Y RWD does it in simply 5.4 seconds, albeit with a one-foot rollout, however nonetheless, it’s greater than a second faster.
Then again, Polestar has achieved a superb job tuning the automotive’s experience. Single-motor variants have passive dampers, whereas the Twin Motor has adaptive suspension. Nonetheless, the previous nonetheless rides effectively, though it does veer in the direction of the agency aspect of comfy. In a great world, I’d prefer it to be a little bit softer.
Whereas the Polestar 4 is probably greatest suited to crunching freeway miles, it additionally handles effectively, too. Like different Polestars (and Volvos), the steering has been effectively calibrated and presents three totally different settings for the burden and really feel. Nonetheless, like so many different electrical steering techniques, it’s usually exhausting to know what the entrance wheels are doing, although it’s admittedly fast and direct.
Weirdly, there are not any selectable driving modes for this model of the Polestar 4, which is a disgrace. Three totally different settings for the brake regeneration may be chosen, though these adjustments are made by way of the touchscreen. The Hyundai/Kia answer of adjusting brake regen by way of paddle shifters is a greater one for on-the-fly adjustments.
As talked about, the Polestar 4 has a 400-volt electrical structure, whereas many rivals have 800-volt techniques and, due to this fact, assist quicker charging speeds. Nonetheless, the 4 can cost at as much as 200 kW, which is sweet for a 400-volt automotive, permitting the battery to be topped up from 10-80% in half-hour. Which is greater than acceptable, however probably not nice.
Effectivity is sweet, however not nice. Partially attributable to the truth that this model of the Polestar 4 weighs a hefty 2,230 kg (4,916 lbs), we averaged 17.1 kWh/100 km throughout our time with it, whereas Mannequin Ys can common within the 14 kWh/100 km vary. Fortunately, the sizeable battery pack does imply hitting 600 km (373 miles) on a cost is achievable, which needs to be greater than sufficient for many events.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Verdict
The Polestar 4 is without doubt one of the most well-rounded EVs I’ve pushed lately. Whereas some folks have criticized its appears to be like, everybody I’ve talked to has been impressed by the cabin. It’s the sort of inside you’d count on in a automotive with a price ticket effectively into six figures, and the sleek, polished driving expertise solely provides to the attraction. It’s a noticeable improve over the Polestar 2 and undoubtedly deserves a spot on the brief record for anybody out there for an EV.
