Polestar 4 review

They say numbers don't lie, but they can be misleading – as the Polestar 4 proves. For while most car brands that use numbers for model names link these to the size of the vehicle, the Polestar 4 and its stablemates have been named chronologically; in other words, this is the fourth model launched by the premium electric car specialist.

So, where does the 4 fit into the Polestar range? Well, instead of being bigger than the Polestar 2 executive car and Polestar 3 luxury SUV, it actually sits between them on both size and price.

Polestar 4 video review

There’s more room for confusion elsewhere. You see, the Polestar 4 isn’t really tall enough to be called an electric SUV. But given its 4.8m length, expansive interior and how much it costs, it's likely to be on the same shortlists as the likes of the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX3 and Porsche Macan Electric.

Finally, there’s the controversy over one thing the 4 lacks: a back window. Designer Max Missoni wanted a coupé roofline on a body that – due to its underfloor battery and need for generous rear-passenger head room – wasn’t naturally suited to one. The solution? Eliminate that window and replace it with a camera.

It's just one of many features that we'll be examining in this review, as we look at how the Polestar 4 stacks up against rival electric cars.

What's new?

- May 2026: We add a Polestar 4 to our long-term test fleet to see what it’s like to live with

- November 2025 - Google Live Lane introduced, integrating AI guidance into the navigation system

- January 2024: The Polestar 4 goes on sale in the UK

- April 2023: New Polestar 4 is revealed, with unusual styling and no rear window

How fast is it and which motor is best?

There are two versions of the Polestar 4: the Long Range Single Motor, which produces a respectable 268bhp and delivers a 0-62mph time of 7.1 seconds, plus a pricier, Long Range Dual Motor variant with 536bhp and a 0-62mph time of just 3.8 seconds.

True, this still isn't quite as explosive as the the performance offered by the Porsche Macan Turbo Electric. However, traction is absolute, aided by four-wheel drive, and if you keep the accelerator pedal pinned, the way the dual-motor Polestar 4 continues to pile on speed is astounding.

As for the single-motor model, this feels noticeably more sedate, with performance more on par with a Hyundai Ioniq 6 (and we don't mean the N version). It's still far from slow, though, and we actually found the single-motor Polestar 4 more enjoyable to drive than the dual motor.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

While the dual-motor car is indecently quick from point to point, it’s not as confidence-inspiring as we would want a performance SUV to be. You see, the steering is quite darty off centre, so you keep having to make small adjustments to maintain your line. Plus, the four-wheel drive system favours outright traction over fun handling.

The BMW iX3 and Macan Turbo Electric are more engaging, as is the larger Polestar 3 (something we suspect is down to the fact Polestar fits that car with an agility-enhancing torque-vectoring device that's missing from the 4). 

So, the dual-motor car is quick, yes, but not that involving, unlike the cheaper, rear-wheel-drive model. Turn into a corner in this, and you notice that the steering is more accurate, allowing you to place the nose exactly where you want it.

We were also impressed with how tied down the Polestar 4 was on undulating country roads. Its comparatively low ride height and low centre of gravity help to reduce the amount of jostling passed on to the driver (taller performance SUVs often toss your head around over undulations).

That said, we think it's a shame Polestar doesn't let you have adaptive suspension on the single-motor car. You get it on the dual-motor version and it provides greater body control when really pushing on.

It's also a pity that no Polestar 4 is especially comfortable at low speed. There's a firm edge to the ride in town, with the car making you all too aware of bumps, potholes and poorly repaired stretches of Tarmac. Fortunately, things do settle down nicely when cruising at 50mph and above.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

The regenerative brakes of many electric cars are a bit of a pain; yes, they replenish the battery with energy as you slow down, but they can make it hard to judge how hard you need to press the pedal. Fortunately, the Polestar 4’s brakes are reassuringly consistent, so it's easy to come to a smooth stop.

Even on optional 21in wheels (20s are standard), road noise is well suppressed, although the car's pillarless side windows do let in a fair bit of wind noise on the motorway.

What’s the range and efficiency like, and how quickly can it charge?

The single-motor Polestar 4 has an official range of 385 miles, while the dual-motor car manages 367 miles. Those figures are competitive with key rivals; for example, the Macan 4 can officially cover up to 380 miles between charges, and the Turbo version 366 miles.

Whichever Polestar 4 you go for, the battery has a maximum charging rate of 200kW. That’s slower than an Audi Q6 e-tron or a Macan Electric, but it still allows a 10-80% top-up in around 30 minutes if you can find a suitably rapid public charger.

Alternatively, if you're charging at home via a 7kW wallbox, a 0-100% charge should be possible in 11 hours.

“While the Polestar 4 has a good real-world range, I wish its range readout was a little more accurate; in my experience, it tends to overpromise at the start of long motorway journeys.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

Perhaps the strongest suit of the Polestar 4 is its interior quality. Everywhere you look there are slick materials that feel plush and tactile – including an innovative 3D-knit fabric inspired by running shoes. Plus, it all feels beautifully screwed together.

You can specify real leather seats, which might seem at odds with Polestar’s sustainability ethos. However, the Bridge of Weir leather used is apparently a by-product of the meat industry. 

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

The Polestar 4 might not look like an SUV on the outside, but it feels like one from behind the wheel, because you sit quite a long way above the road and get a good forward view.

Its front seats are wonderfully supportive, too, although adjusting the steering wheel and door mirrors is fiddly because you have to select them on the screen, then use controls on the steering wheel.

True, you can save your preferred settings under your user profile, so in theory you won't have to set things up again, even if someone else drives the car. But in reality doing something simple, like dipping a door mirror when parking, is far more of a faff than it should be.

More positively, the Polestar 4 has both a digital screen in front of the driver and a head-up display that projects key information onto the windscreen, so you don't have to look at the central touchscreen to see sat-nav instructions or what speed you're doing – something that is necessary in the Tesla Model Y.

And what about the digital rear-view mirror, fitted to compensate for the lack of a back window? Well, it gives a clear view of what's happening behind you, even in heavy rain and at night, but when you glance at it, it can take your eyes a moment to adjust, plus obstacles and following traffic appears to be closer than they actually are. When manoeuvring in tight spaces it's much easier to rely on the standard 360-degree parking camera.

Are the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

Unlike every Polestar model before it, the 4 gets a landscape rather than portrait-orientated touchscreen. Measuring 15.4in, it has crystal-clear graphics and is responsive to inputs. Plus, it’s split into configurable tiles and you can save various shortcuts on the main screen.

It still requires more attention to accurately hit the icons on the move than it would to use physical buttons, though. And some of the key icons are on the left side of the screen, where they're a stretch to reach (at least in right-hand-drive cars).

True, there is a large rotary dial on the centre console, but the only things this can do is control the volume and play or pause the stereo; if it allowed you to cycle through menus and buttons on the screen, it would make the infotainment system easier to use while driving.

Google Assistant comes as standard, meaning the car's voice-command system is at least relatively good.

“The Polestar 4's ambient interior lighting adds to the classy and luxurious feel. And I think it’s a nice touch that the colourways you can choose from are based on planets in the Solar System.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

How much space does it have for people?

There's plenty of head, leg and shoulder room in the front of the Polestar 4, while its tall centre console contains loads of storage cubbies.

Similarly, rear seat space is positively palatial. Not only is there acres of knee room on offer, but six-footers will have plenty of head room, and the floor is completely flat (by contrast, the Audi Q6 e-tron's has a hump that makes life less comfortable for a central rear passenger).

Gentle ambient lighting and a vast panoramic glass roof that extends back past your head, only add to the rear compartment's airy feel.

How much room is there for luggage?

The Polestar 4 has 526 litres of boot space, which is competitive with the Audi Q6 e-tron and BMW iX3, but falls a little short of the capacity of the Porsche Macan Electric (540 litres).

You'll appreciate the convenient hatchback boot opening, the underfloor storage for your charging cables and the inclusion of a second boot upfront. But the absence of a back window does mean the Polestar 4 isn't the best car for dog owners; at least those people with big dogs that usually would ride in the boot.

The rear seats fold down in two sections in a 60/40 split, rather than the more versatile three-piece (40/20/40) arrangement of the Q6, iX3 and Macan.

“I’ve done several family trips in the Polestar 4, and have been grateful for all the in-car storage it offers. I also like that when you’re not using the well-placed cupholders you can cover them to make the interior design look even cleaner.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

While the Polestar 4 isn't cheap, it is competitively priced against the BMW iX3, and it undercuts equivalent versions of the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric.

Polestar offers some attractive PCP finance offers, too. And like all electric cars, it attracts a low-rate of BIK tax, so is much cheaper to run as a company car than any combustion-engined or hybrid SUV in the same price bracket.

As is the norm with Polestars, there are no trim levels; instead, all versions get adaptive cruise control, wireless phone-charging, electrically adjustable heated front seats, climate control and a heat pump for efficient warming of the interior on cold days.

For the time being, the Plus Pack also comes as standard, introducing a head-up display, pixel LED headlights, power reclining rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a Harman Kardon stereo and a power-operated tailgate that can be activated by waving your foot below a sensor.

Is it reliable and how long is the warranty?

Every new Polestar 4 comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty; this matches the level of cover offered by Audi, but BMW and Porsche both have three-year, unlimited-mileage warranties.

More impressively, the 4's battery is covered by a separate eight-year, 100,000 miles warranty. As part of this, if the capacity falls below 70% of the original level it will be remedied by Polestar.

The Polestar 4 was too new to feature in the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, but it's worth noting that the smaller Polestar 2 didn’t do particularly well, finishing in 15th place (out of 19 cars) in the electric car class.

How safe is it and is it easy to steal?

When the independent safety assessors at Euro NCAP apprised the Polestar 4, they gave it their maximum five-star rating.

It scored particularly well for adult occupant protection. And while the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric both performed better for child occupant protection, the Polestar 4's rating of 85% in this area is still good.

There's also lots of tech that's designed to help you avoid an accident in the first place, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), traffic-sign recognition, a blind-spot warning system, lane-keeping assistance and more.

Meanwhile, anti-theft measures include a sophisticated Ultra Wideband keyless entry system, double-locking mechanisms, an immobiliser and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm.

“While most of the Polestar 4's driver assistance features only make their presence felt when you'd want them to, its driver drowsiness detector is overly sensitive. Sometimes I've only driven a few hundred metres before it tells me I’m tired and it’s time to take a rest.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Buy it if…

- You want an electric car that's sleek yet practical

- You spend a lot of time behind the wheel, so value supportive seats and high-quality materials

- You want a generous standard spec instead of having to choose from multiple trims and options

Don’t buy it if…

- Most of your driving is done in town

- You get annoyed by driver assistance tech that issues false warnings

- You want to buy from a brand that has a strong reliability record

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here