The Polestar 4 is likely one of the quirkiest EVs I’ve ever pushed

I am all for automakers making an attempt one thing a little bit bit totally different and with the Polestar 4, the primary factor that units it aside is the shortage of a rear window. Whereas that has been grabbing the headlines, the Polestar 4 has plenty of different attention-grabbing options, which may show tempting for a similar individuals who’d usually head within the route of the Porsche Macan Electrical, the Audi Q6 e-tron, the BMW iX3 or, maybe, the Tesla Model Y.

Polestar’s mum or dad firm, Geely, is getting good worth out of the SEA platform this automotive sits on, as it is also used for the Volvo EX30 and Sensible #1. Contemplating that the Polestar 4 feels extra substantial and is, certainly, barely chunkier than the aforementioned Tesla Mannequin Y, Polestar likes to name the physique type ‘SUV coupe,’ however I am proud of calling it, er, quirky. Contemplating the unorthodox styling, this can be a spacious five-seater, with lots that can make it interesting to patrons with a household.

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Polestar 4

The Polestar 4 is a little bit of an automotive curio, but it surely has rather a lot going for it. There’s spectacular efficiency, plenty of vary and Pilot, Professional and Plus pack choices that enable it to be tailor-made to go well with totally different homeowners. Whereas the styling would possibly work for some, it would show an acquired style for others. Total, it is a success.

Execs

• Premium really feel you?d anticipate from Polestar
• Twin motor automotive presents loads of grip and efficiency
• Surprisingly spacious inside contemplating the outside stance

Cons

• Styling may show to be divisive for some
• Software program can be improved through OTA updates
• Digital rearview mirror could be problematic for spec wearers

Worth, specs, and availability

The Polestar 4 comes as a Lengthy Vary Single motor version, costing from £59,990 (roughly $80,000), whereas the Lengthy Vary Twin motor mannequin seen right here is £66,990 (round $89,000). Elective Pilot, Professional and Plus packs will add additional to the asking worth, relying on proprietor necessities.

Design and Construct

Much less glass, extra class

Credit score the place it is due, I believe Polestar is basically making an attempt onerous to make itself stand out as a model, and the shortage of a rear window for the 4 is a daring transfer. Nonetheless, the remainder of the automotive is inviting sufficient, but it surely’s not fairly as edgy because the type of factor Kia is doing with its newest crop of fashions, just like the EV9 for instance. Nonetheless, I just like the minimalist Scandinavian-flavored strains of the Polestar 4. What’s extra, the low-slung roofline that swoops all the way down to the sizable trunk nonetheless presents loads of area on the within.

Considered from the facet, the Polestar 4 appears cool sufficient. I particularly like the best way the black sill trim cuts up into the door panels, which means there’s a little bit extra occurring than making it plain outdated slab-sided. Each the entrance and rear ends are immediately recognizable as Polestar, and I just like the subdued however stylish exterior colours being provided for the 4. The sizable 22-inch alloys work to nice impact, too, and in addition imply that the Polestar 4 sits comfortably above the bottom, permitting it to recover from velocity bumps with out stressing.

A wiser inside

Premium cockpit enchantment

In the identical approach that Polestar is nice at capturing a premium really feel with its exterior designs, I discovered the cockpit of the 4 a improbable place to sit down. There’s not an excessive amount of occurring for starters, with a minimalist show in entrance of the steering wheel and many of the performance sitting throughout the central panorama touchscreen. This consists of adjusting the likes of door mirrors, steering column, and local weather management vents, which is not going to enchantment to everybody. As soon as I would acquired every little thing arrange and saved although, all of it labored nicely sufficient.

I additionally acquired into the again seats to see how the impact of no rear display labored out. It is darkish again there, though a panoramic glass roof lifts the temper considerably. As with the entrance seats, consolation ranges are excessive, although, and the seat coverings, plus well-made fixtures and fittings, made it really feel a bit like I used to be sitting behind a limo. Contemplating the Polestar 4 is presumably geared toward patrons with youngsters, although, I am unsure how nicely it will go down with little ones. On the upside, there’s loads of area and beneficiant headroom back and front. Trunk area is sweet too, at 526 liters.

The expertise breakdown

Lurking software program points

Though I loved driving the Polestar 4, my take a look at automotive did have some software program points that began with the Google-based sat nav behaving weirdly. This was quickly adopted by the looks of the “A fault is detected within the automotive system. Take speedy motion and get in touch with Polestar Buyer Help” icon on the sprint. The automotive did not fail to function, but it surely did appear to behave oddly. The local weather management additionally appeared a little bit wacky throughout my time within the automotive.

Later, I requested if the Polestar crew had managed to hold out any kind of diagnostic inspection afterward. The corporate instructed me it could proceed to refine the software program with OTA updates. Dangerous luck, perhaps, or maybe it was simply me? Apart from that, the cabin of the Polestar 4 is a superb place to be, with a wonderful use of colours and fonts that make the person expertise an in any other case pleasing one. The majority of automotive instructions and controls are performed through the central touchscreen, supplemented by loads of buttons on the steering wheel. As with different Polestar fashions I’ve pushed, the inside was made all of the extra pleasing to expertise due to the Harmon Kardon audio system.

Battery, vary and efficiency

Biggish battery delivers vary

One of many Polestar 4’s greatest promoting factors is the very respectable vary, which on the twin motor mannequin I examined guarantees as much as 369 miles with as much as 200kW charging capability. That is nice for anybody who does not like plugging in steadily or who covers lengthy distances regularly. The 94kWh battery is well-matched to the twin motor mannequin, delivering 544 hp to play with and getting plenty of grip on all 4 wheels.

I can not actually fault my driving time with the Polestar 4. It sits fantastically on the street and the stance is beefy sufficient to provide loads of confidence to push it via the corners on nation roads. That is much more noticeable due to the adjustable dampers and steering really feel, which provides additional curiosity for anybody who considers driving EVs to be mundane and unrewarding. Vary and Efficiency modes add each flexibility and additional spice to the driving combine, too.

In the meantime, freeway driving is easy, with greater than sufficient energy on faucet for moments when it’s good to rapidly get previous somebody, or zip out at junctions. I even acquired on high-quality with the shortage of rear window. As a driver who wears glasses, I do not discover digital rearview mirrors too agreeable, however the one within the Polestar 4 is spectacular. I made good use of the totally different brake regen choices, which is one other technique to make EV motoring a little bit bit extra attention-grabbing. Total, the Polestar 4 is a candy factor to sit down behind the wheel of.

Must you purchase the Polestar 4?

My Polestar 4 take a look at automotive may need been having a foul day on the software program entrance, however apart from these points, I liked driving it. Whereas I am not totally positive if the shortage of a rear window concept will catch on, there isn’t any doubt that it is a speaking level and can bag the Polestar 4 loads of curiosity. Apart from that, there’s loads of area, plenty of consolation, and it’s extremely sensible too. Add within the spectacular vary of any of the mannequin variants and the Polestar 4 makes a robust bundle.

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Polestar 4