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

I am all for automakers making an attempt one thing just a little 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 a variety of different fascinating options, which might 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 dad or mum firm, Geely, is getting good worth out of the SEA platform this automobile sits on, as it is also used for the Volvo EX30 and Good #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 model ‘SUV coupe,’ however I am proud of calling it, er, quirky. Contemplating the unorthodox styling, it is a spacious five-seater, with a lot that may make it interesting to consumers with a household.

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Polestar 4

The Polestar 4 is a little bit of an automotive curio, nevertheless it has loads going for it. There’s spectacular efficiency, numerous vary and Pilot, Professional and Plus pack choices that permit it to be tailor-made to swimsuit totally different house owners. Whereas the styling may work for some, it’d show an acquired style for others. Total, it is a success.

Professionals

• Premium really feel you?d count on from Polestar
• Twin motor automobile provides loads of grip and efficiency
• Surprisingly spacious inside contemplating the outside stance

Cons

• Styling might show to be divisive for some
• Software program can be improved by way of 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). Non-compulsory Pilot, Professional and Plus packs will add further to the asking worth, relying on proprietor necessities.

Design and Construct

Much less glass, extra class

Credit score the place it is due, I feel Polestar is de facto making an attempt arduous 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 automobile is inviting sufficient, nevertheless it’s not fairly as edgy because the kind of factor Kia is doing with its newest crop of fashions, just like the EV9 for instance. However, 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 provides loads of area on the within.

Considered from the facet, the Polestar 4 appears to be like cool sufficient. I particularly like the way in which the black sill trim cuts up into the door panels, that means there’s just a little extra occurring than making it plain previous slab-sided. Each the entrance and rear ends are immediately recognizable as Polestar, and I just like the subdued however elegant exterior colours being supplied for the 4. The sizable 22-inch alloys work to nice impact, too, and likewise 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 means that Polestar is nice at capturing a premium really feel with its exterior designs, I discovered the cockpit of the 4 a unbelievable place to take a seat. 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 inside the central panorama touchscreen. This contains 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 might obtained every thing arrange and saved although, all of it labored properly sufficient.

I additionally obtained 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 consumers with youngsters, although, I am undecided how properly 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 automobile 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 automobile system. Take fast motion and get in touch with Polestar Buyer Assist” icon on the sprint. The automobile did not fail to function, nevertheless it did appear to behave oddly. The local weather management additionally appeared just a little wacky throughout my time within the automobile.

Later, I requested if the Polestar group had managed to hold out any sort of diagnostic inspection afterward. The corporate informed me it could proceed to refine the software program with OTA updates. Unhealthy luck, perhaps, or maybe it was simply me? Except for 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 pleasurable one. The majority of automobile instructions and controls are accomplished by way of 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 pleasurable to expertise because of the Harmon Kardon audio system.

Battery, vary and efficiency

Biggish battery delivers vary

One of many Polestar 4’s largest 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 would not like plugging in often or who covers lengthy distances frequently. The 94kWh battery is well-matched to the twin motor mannequin, delivering 544 hp to play with and getting numerous grip on all 4 wheels.

I am unable to actually fault my driving time with the Polestar 4. It sits superbly on the highway and the stance is beefy sufficient to offer loads of confidence to push it by the corners on nation roads. That is much more noticeable because of the adjustable dampers and steering really feel, which provides further 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 essential shortly get previous somebody, or zip out at junctions. I even obtained on effective 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 just a little bit extra fascinating. Total, the Polestar 4 is a candy factor to take a seat behind the wheel of.

Do you have to purchase the Polestar 4?

My Polestar 4 take a look at automobile might need been having a nasty day on the software program entrance, however except for these points, I cherished driving it. Whereas I am not completely certain if the shortage of a rear window concept will catch on, there is no doubt that it is a speaking level and can bag the Polestar 4 loads of curiosity. Except for that, there’s loads of area, numerous 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 package deal.

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Polestar 4