Polestar 4 long-term test: report 2
The car Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor Run by Steve Huntingford, editor
Why it’s here So we can find out what a model from Sweden’s prestige electric car specialist is like to live with
Needs to Combine comfort, quality and refinement with strong performance, family-friendly practicality and a good real-world range
Mileage 924 List price £60,750 Best price £56,750 Price as tested £66,750 Test range 322 miles Official range 385 miles
17 June – Practically perfect
As I pointed out in my first report, the Polestar 4 is a car that’s difficult to neatly categorise, because it combines sleek, coupé-like looks with an elevated, SUV-style driving position. However, when it comes to practicality, I think it’s almost worthy of a third type of car: the MPV.
Space is properly palatial, with every occupant getting loads of head and knee room. Plus, the floor in the back is pretty much flat, so even a central passenger has plenty of room for their feet.
In addition, because my car has the Prime Pack (an expensive option at £6000, but one that does bring lots of extra kit) its rear seats can be reclined electrically, allowing their occupants to really relax.
Then there’s the sheer amount of storage inside the Polestar 4: the cubby beneath its central armrest is deep, and the cupholders in front of it ideally placed; there’s a discreet yet easy-to-access wireless phone charging pad at the front of the centre console; meanwhile, lower down, you find a huge storage tray, with a dedicated area for your glasses case.
In short, it’s a very well-thought out interior. But I’m also grateful for a practical detail that Polestar probably didn’t envisage being used in the way that I’m using it.
You see, despite appearing to have a bulkhead behind the rear seats, these actually fold down in a 60/40 split so you can carry long loads when necessary. But it also means I can climb in or out through the boot when someone parks inconsiderately close, as happens surprisingly regularly in the public car park near the What Car? office.
Having said all this, there is one element of the Polestar 4 that I don’t think is particularly practical, and that’s the exterior door handles. These sit flush with the body of the car when not needed to keep the lines clean, before automatically extending when you approach with the key fob. But they’re just not as smart as you’d want them to be.
For example, the other day I’d just collected my daughter from a ballet lesson and was putting her bag away in the boot, while she went to get into her seat (via the rear side door, not the luggage area). But then when I pressed the button to close the powered tailgate, the car decided to lock itself, causing the door handles to retract and trap my daughter’s hand. Ouch!
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