Polestar 4 | Test Drive

Words Marco Mancino / Photos Daniél Rikkard

The fourth act of Polestar is officially defined as a coupe SUV, but everyone refers to it as “that car without a rear window.” And frankly, that’s a lot easier than trying to navigate a numerical naming scheme that has no relation to doors or seat count. In this lineup, the 2 is a mid-size sedan, the 3 is a traditional SUV and the 4 – this one – is its sleeker, fastback variant, made especially distinctive by a solid rear metal panel where a window would typically find its place. But there’s more: contrary to what logic might suggest, the 4 isn’t built on the same platform as the 3. Instead (surprise!), it shares its underpinnings with the Lotus Eletre – the high-performance SUV from the iconic British brand now under Chinese ownership, just like Polestar.

It’s clear that the Polestar 4’s size would stand out even more in a pastel color, but even in the configuration of our test model, it’s impossible not to recognize this car as one designed to offer generous interior space. Viewed from the side, its nearly 5-meter length (4,840 mm) and 3-meter wheelbase are unmistakable – the latter being the main factor in ensuring exceptional roominess for five adults. This is further enhanced by 21-inch wheels, which, combined with a very low height (1,534 mm), give the Polestar 4 a distinctive, almost custom feel. It’s a vehicle that shows just how much attention to detail and high-end design went into its creation.

These qualities are visible in every millimeter of the exterior: from the double-blade front headlights to the frameless side mirrors integrated directly into the mirror caps. The window frames are also frameless and a sculpted lower bodyline emphasizes the car’s solid rear, which looks like a massive squared-off trunk merging directly into the panoramic glass roof – with no rear window in between. Instead, there’s a high-definition rear camera feeding into the central rearview mirror. It’s a solution seen before, but in the 4 it’s the only way to see what’s behind you. Surrounding the car we then have 14 cameras, a front radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors – clear evidence of how seriously Polestar (and, by extension, Volvo) takes your safety.

Our test model is currently the most powerful available, featuring dual electric motors and a 100 kWh battery pack. It’s all-wheel drive and the wide tires provide exceptional grip even on slippery surfaces. If you’re wondering whether you can take the 4 off-road, here’s a key clarification: despite being labeled an SUV, ground clearance is minimal and the Polestar 4 is not intended for rough terrain. Its focus is long-distance travel, with a claimed range of about 580 km – variable depending on your driving style and whether you select Performance or Range mode.

The difference between driving modes is mainly felt when you press the throttle: the response is either snappier or more filtered. The steering is precise and the chassis can be fine-tuned to your preference. The 4 delivers its 544 peak horsepower in a linear way, offering a drive experience that feels quite different from, let’s say, a Tesla. And that’s one of its strengths: the Polestar 4 doesn’t try to mimic anything else, it has its own character and drive quality.

Inside, the exterior’s quality is not only matched but exceeded. The first impression is of a minimalist Scandinavian space that reflects attention to material quality and craftsmanship. A large center tunnel enhances the low seating position – like in a coupe – and everything is focused around the massive 15.4” touchscreen, running a top-tier Android operating system with industry-leading responsiveness. You can customize ambient colors via a virtual planetarium and split the screen into widgets to keep Google Maps and other features in view without diving into countless menus. A second display sits behind the steering wheel, fully customizable and packed with essential and secondary driving data. There’s also a head-up display.

In true Scandinavian fashion, the seats are extremely comfortable: the rear seats are even adjustable via buttons on the large central armrest. The rear trunk is massive (526 liters), while the front compartment is only large enough for small items. So far, so good – in fact, excellent. But how much does the lack of a rear window affect driving? After all, this is the question that draws the most attention. Let’s address the elephant in the room: even those who’ve never driven a car with a digital rearview mirror will quickly get used to it, especially while moving or maneuvering, where cameras are already heavily relied upon. It’s a bit different at intersections, where the obstructed rear three-quarter view forces you to rely on the digital mirror instead of turning your head naturally. Fortunately, the mirror is smart – it rotates to improve visibility of oncoming traffic.

And what about those 544 hp? The Polestar 4 is undeniably powerful. But it’s not a sports car – it maintains a soft steering feel and suspension setup that won’t push you to chase its 3.8-second 0–100 kph sprint, but rather enjoy how effortlessly it moves its 2,430 kg. In tighter corners, the vehicle’s size becomes more apparent and you’ll work the wheel more, but once you sync with its essence, the ride is all about comfort. It’s even relaxing in city driving thanks to one-pedal mode, which also helps recover some electrons. As for real-world range, expect around 390 km with an 80% charge – now the standard quick-charging threshold.

The Polestar 4 draws curiosity with its design, but it soon becomes clear that the missing rear window is only a tiny, almost insignificant part of what makes this model compelling in terms of quality and driving experience. Only after driving it did I realize that the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version is actually the one I’d recommend to most buyers. The reasons are many: it costs around €8,000 less and offers more precise handling. The halved horsepower isn’t a drawback: instead, it perfectly matches the ideal driving style for this coupe SUV built to devour kilometers without ever looking back. And if you do need to look back, you’ll do it through the digital mirror.