Polestar 4

The Polestar 4’s exterior brings softer lines than the current Polestar 2 sedan, bridging the more angular car’s styling with that of the coming Polestar 3 SUV. The front looks a bit Porsche-like, and the rear pillar angle reminds me of the previous generation Toyota Corolla. It measures about 3 inches longer and wider than a Tesla Model Y. The design employs several tricks to enhance aerodynamics and thereby extend the driving range, such as the retractable door handles, frameless windows, and airflow-enhancing rear sculpting.

The most striking element is the absence of the rear glass. Instead, the Polestar 4 has a roof-mounted camera that feeds a rearview mirror display. This allows a wider view than a conventional mirror. The screen is still located on the overhead console like a conventional mirror.

This allows the standard panoramic glass roof to extend farther back than with other cars. That top can be equipped with an electrochromic function that allows the driver to change the opacity, essentially tinting it on demand.

The five-passenger interior has a decidedly Scandinavian aesthetic, with a simple, artful design. The dash has a small rectangular display for the instrument panel and a large 15.4-inch tabletlike screen on the center dash. Both look tacked on rather than integrated into the dash or flowing into one another.

As with the Polestar 2, the infotainment system is powered by the Android Automotive OS. It has Google Automotive Services built in, such as Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. It allows for over-the-air updates to the car and the ability for enhancements to be made without going to a dealership. It seems to have an updated interface and is also wireless Apple CarPlay compatible.

The Plus Pack adds a head-up display, 12-way adjustable front seats, electric-reclining and heated back seats, upgraded upholstery, a three-zone climate system with a rear control screen, heated auto-dimming side mirrors, a heated steering wheel, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The Polestar 4 is available in two powertrain configurations, each labeled “long range” and featuring a 102-kWh battery. The base model is rear-wheel drive, with a single motor producing 272 horsepower. Polestar claims this version can zip from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and has a 300-mile EPA-rated range.

The other choice is all-wheel drive with dual motors generating 544 hp. The big jump in power shortens 0 to 60 mph sprints to 3.7 seconds, according to the automaker, making it the quickest production Polestar to date. But that takes its toll on the driving range, bringing it down to 270 miles.

For more excitement, there’s a Performance Pack offered on the dual-motor Polestar 4 with ultra-high-performance summer tires on 22-inch wheels, Brembo brake calipers, and stiffer suspension. This also includes gold seat belts and tire valve stem caps, which seem certain to be a collectible among rapscallions.

As one would expect from a Volvo-related brand, the Polestar 4 has a comprehensive safety suite that aims to be second to none.

Core to these features are the various cameras and sensors. There are a dozen cameras of different types, including the driver attention monitor in the cabin. Plus, there are 12 ultrasonic sensors for parking assistance, a forward-facing radar, and the coming optional lidar.

These power the automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot warning, lane keeping assistance, lane departure warning, front cross traffic warning, rear cross traffic warning, and adaptive cruise control. Plus, the Pilot Pack (standard on all-wheel-drive versions) adds an active driving assistance system that aims to reduce stress when traveling long distances by assisting with steering to keep the 4 in the center of the lane while adjusting the speed to keep a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead. It will also add features like lane change assistance and the ability to enable hands-free driving.