Polestar’s aptly-named fourth mannequin has arrived in Australia, and it is likely to be an adjustment for individuals who are used to trying over their shoulder.
The 2025 Polestar 4 has sparked controversy over its design, a spotlight of which is the removing of a traditional rear window and the unique use of a digicam to ‘see’ immediately behind you.
Why? The corporate’s designers needed to maximise headroom for rear passengers with out sacrificing the coupe-like roofline of this edgy new mid-sized electrical SUV, so by eradicating the rear window the roofline could possibly be prolonged and raked at a extra dramatic angle.
Regardless of its numerical identify suggesting it’s bigger than the present Polestar 2 fastback and Polestar 3 giant SUV, the Polestar 4 truly slots between the smaller sedan and larger SUV within the model’s all-EV lineup, each when it comes to dimension and pricing, and it additionally sits between extra mainstream mid-sized electrical crossovers just like the Tesla Mannequin Y and Kia EV5, and premium contenders like the brand new Porsche Macan Electrical.
Polestar received’t be drawn on calling out direct opponents or which fashions it’s focusing on regionally, however it’s making an attempt to cement itself as a premium EV model based on its historical past in engineering and motorsport. It’s additionally going exhausting on sustainability, with plenty of eco-friendly supplies and processes employed to cut back environmental impression.
The Sino-Swedish model has huge plans shifting ahead too, with the 4 being the most recent in plenty of new fashions to be launched between now and 2026. The Polestar 5 grand tourer and Polestar 6 sports activities automotive are each on their manner within the coming years. It’ll even be doubling its bodily gross sales footprint in Australia within the new yr.
So, is that this new rear windowless electrical crossover price your consideration? We joined the Australian media launch in South Australia to search out out.
How does the Polestar 4 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Polestar 4 towards equally sized autos.
Polestar
Polestar 4
How a lot does the Polestar 4 value?
Pricing was not too long ago adjusted for the 2025 mannequin yr (MY25) Polestar 4, leading to a $3000 low cost throughout the lineup.
To see how the Polestar 4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s the Polestar 4 like on the within?
The Polestar 4’s smooth exterior design could also be a bit unconventional and polarising, however its inside is kind of a bit extra inviting and may have a lot broader enchantment.
Like many different producers, Polestar has been lowering bodily buttons and rotary controls in its cabins; however in contrast to a lot of them the Chinese language-owned Scandinavian carmaker has put loads of thought into the way it can retain sturdy ergonomics and user-friendliness on the identical time.
There’s an enormous 15.4-inch central touchscreen operating Polestar’s software program interface primarily based on the Android Automotive working system with Google built-in – that means entry to a variety of internet-based options and providers just like the clever Google Assistant, Google Maps, and apps from the Google Play Retailer.
Polestar’s head of consumer expertise (UX), Antonio Cobaleda Cordero, advised us he and his staff actually paid consideration to grid-style layouts and evenly distributed tiles and textual content to make the infotainment system as straightforward to learn and use as potential. Mr Cobaleda Cordero additionally famous the flat menu construction to minimise menu diving on the transfer.
The result’s a really tablet-like expertise, with nice simplicity but in addition in depth performance. You not often need to make multiple press to get to the place you need, and the clear structure and typeface is splendidly straightforward to learn.
Additional, there are funky little animations and explainers if you need a extra detailed description of issues like the motive force help techniques.
You can even toggle a variety of ambient lighting settings that are all planet-themed – the Uranus theme was weirdly in style amongst different journalists…
Forward of the motive force there’s additionally a skinny 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster that’s not too completely different to what you’ll discover within the new Volvo EX90.
It packs a little bit of configurability regardless of its letterbox facet ratio, providing a collection of views together with a full Google Maps navigating display screen in between your energy and pace readouts.
The sporty entrance seats are comfy and accessible in an array of sustainable supplies. As customary, the motive force’s seat provides eight methods of energy adjustment, whereas the entrance passenger pew provides six methods.
The motive force additionally will get a reminiscence operate, and the entrance row is heated as customary. You may improve to 12-way electrical adjustment together with base cushion extension as a part of the Plus Pack ($8000), which additionally provides a heated steering wheel and rear seats. Additional, the Nappa improve ($7000, requires Plus Pack) provides ventilated entrance seats, amongst different objects.
As customary, there’s Charcoal “bio-attributed MicroTech” upholstery, with choices together with a sustainable SoftTech knit trim made out of 100 per cent recycled PET yarn in addition to the aforementioned Nappa improve, which can also be of the sustainable Bridge of Weir selection.
The knitted materials comes as a part of the Plus Pack, adorning simply the dashboard with the black inside possibility, or each the seats and dashboard with the ‘Mist’ colourway. It’s a really fascinating materials, and has a cool 3D construction to the design that performs with the ambient lighting properly.
Whereas the final feeling of fabric high quality was fairly good within the vehicles we drove on the press launch, we observed some inconsistent gaps between the place the dashboard insert joins with the doorways at both finish, and the colouring of the knit materials seemed barely off as effectively.
In any other case, this China-made crossover feels fairly effectively put collectively, with its straight strains and padded surfaces making for an inside that feels spacious and durable. The Volvo ties proceed to deliver a way of solidity to the restricted switchgear, particularly the chunky quantity dial on the centre console, which feels prefer it’s original from glass and metallic.
Storage up entrance is first rate with out being exemplary. The thin door pockets and shallow telephone holder with Qi wi-fi telephone charger make the deep centre console cubby and under-console storage unit appear that a lot larger.
There are additionally a few toothed cupholders between the entrance seats, however they’re of barely completely different sizes which may be annoying when you and your entrance passenger are each carrying bigger cups or bottles.
Now for the second row. Whereas coupe-style SUVs aren’t identified for his or her exemplary rear lodging, Polestar’s deletion of the rear window was an try to particularly tackle this. By eradicating the rear windscreen, it says it was capable of prolong the roofline and in flip enhance rear headroom, whereas the large 2999mm wheelbase ensures good knee and leg room.
I can affirm it’s nearly limo-like within the again, the place there’s heaps of knee and leg room for six’1″ me behind my very own driving place, and first rate headroom underneath the fastened glass roof. Even higher, the rear backrests are electrically reclinable when you go for the Plus Pack, which is a extremely cool contact.
Rear air vents are customary, mounted on the B-pillars in addition to the rear of the centre console, and also you even have the choice of a 3rd zone of local weather management as a part of the Plus Pack.
There’s no customary shade for the fastened glass roof, although you possibly can possibility an electrochromic roof for $2700 (although it requires the Plus Pack) and a clip-in shade is obtainable as an adjunct for $300 – appears a bit stiff, actually.
Behind the rear seats, which may be separated by a folding bulkhead-style multifunction armrest, there’s a 526-litre boot that’s not solely spacious but in addition properly sq., together with 31L underneath the ground. Fold the rear seats down and you’ve got 1536 litres.
As is the case with plenty of EVs available on the market, there’s no spare wheel within the Polestar 4 whatever the wheel and tyre bundle chosen.
To see how the Polestar 4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
The Polestar 4 provides two drivetrain choices and one battery variant.
Our moderately dynamic drive route wasn’t essentially indicative of real-world effectivity, although we noticed the Single motor’s indicated readout exhibiting 19kWh/100km, whereas the Twin motor with Efficiency Pack returned across the 21-22kWh mark with a heavier proper foot.
Each figures are fairly near their respective producer’s claims regardless of the enthusiastic driving model and atmosphere, and given the dimensions and class of this automobile, each outcomes are fairly good – although it received’t be giving a Mannequin Y any sleepless nights on the effectivity entrance.
With extra city roads and extra alternatives for power regen, I’d think about each variants would get a lot nearer to their respective effectivity and vary claims, making a real-world vary of over 500km fully achievable.
To see how the Polestar 4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How does the Polestar 4 drive?
It might not look it, however that is fairly a considerable automobile when it comes to its dimensions.
You actually do get the impression of width within the Polestar 4, however as you begin to get a really feel for it this 4.8m-long, 2.1m-wide (together with mirrors) ‘wagon’ begins to shrink round you.
Plenty of that’s right down to its total dynamic capacity. The weighty and direct steering offers it a eager really feel from behind the wheel, making it deal with like a smaller and extra nimble automobile.
Our drive took us from the streets of Adelaide into the Barossa Valley through the Adelaide Hills, giving us a great mixture of metropolis and suburban streets, plus twisty B-roads, and a little bit of nation freeway.
We began off within the Lengthy vary Single motor, which had the non-compulsory Plus Pack with the Mist-coloured knitted upholstery.
By the streets of Adelaide the smaller 20-inch alloys and chubbier 255/40-profile rubber made gentle work of the form of street imperfections you encounter in suburbia.
Like plenty of European merchandise, the Polestar 4 has a firmer edge to its damping, however it’s in any other case very compliant and provides a great quantity of journey within the suspension with out feeling too unfastened.
Efficiency within the base mannequin is greater than sufficient for regular driving, with 200kW on faucet and, extra importantly, 343Nm accessible from standstill to get this 2.2-tonne machine shifting at a good clip.
That mentioned, Polestar and Volvo are inclined to calibrate a little bit of doughiness into the preliminary throttle response to offer smoother torque supply off the road and keep away from jolty preliminary takeoff. Personally, I favor the graceful setup however would admire a bit extra preliminary response.
As soon as we bought out of city the Polestar 4’s sure-footed street holding and huge stance translated to a extra athletic drive expertise, with the automotive’s rear-drive stability offering for a basic premium sports activities sedan-like really feel – with a barely raised journey top, in fact.
I actually just like the heft of the steering calibration within the 4, which is very like that of the two. It’s a bit heavier than you’d count on, however it provides good really feel and fast response – as I mentioned earlier, it form of shrinks round you.
The smaller-wheeled Single motor wasn’t fairly at residence on among the high-speed undulating roads approaching the Barossa, nevertheless, with its softer passive tune not feeling as settled or fast to recuperate because the Efficiency Pack-equipped Twin motor mannequin we subsequently drove with its firmer adaptive suspension setup.
Nonetheless, when you’re inclined to having fun with a extra comfy expertise from the motive force or passenger seat, the usual specification with smaller wheels strikes a pleasant stability for many eventualities.
You may have the Twin motor with principally the identical specification because the Single motor, although the take a look at automotive we drove was closely optioned with packages, together with the Efficiency Pack, which adjustments its character a bit.
The Twin motor provides three-stage adaptive damping as customary, and the Efficiency Bundle brings an much more centered Polestar Engineered tune for the configurable chassis settings, along with bigger wheels, efficiency tyres and Brembo brakes with Swedish Gold calipers.
Instantly, you possibly can really feel the extra centered setup, particularly on the form of roads we had been on, and the grippier rubber sends a bit extra tyre noise into the cabin – significantly within the rear, the place I rode for my passenger leg of the drive.
Minor drawbacks apart, this specification is tangibly extra driver-focused, and makes the Twin motor model a reasonably fast and succesful electrical GT.
It’s price remembering the Polestar 4 Twin motor is the model’s quickest manufacturing mannequin but, claiming a 3.8-second 0-100km/h run – which feels very correct by the seat of the pants – and in hero Efficiency Pack spec it’s definitely a quick and involving drive for one thing so giant.
On a further loop later within the day, I drove this identical spec with a bit extra anger on a half-hour route incorporating some twisty bits and high-speed nation freeway sections, and it once more proved itself as a succesful quick tourer, however it additionally left me questioning if all this was actually mandatory.
Why? As a result of this can be a 2.3-tonne (in Twin motor-spec) coupe-crossover that can doubtless spend most of its time tootling round city relatively than tearing up windy B-roads away from suburbia. This extra centered – and costlier – spinoff, whereas enjoyable and involving to drive, is bordering on overkill given the bottom automotive is already fairly good.
For reference, the Efficiency Pack is a $7200 possibility on high of the $8000 Plus Pack, so to get these upgrades it’ll value you a minimal of $15,200 on high of the Twin motor’s $88,250 checklist worth earlier than on-roads – making it a six-figure automotive earlier than you even take into consideration the $7000 Nappa improve additionally fitted to this explicit take a look at automobile.
Nonetheless, that’s less expensive than the brand new Porsche Macan Electrical, which in Turbo guise begins from a cool $180,000.
From a security help perspective, the driver-focused route meant we weren’t actually in eventualities the place Pilot Help was applicable, although we did put the cameras to work when parking and, clearly, that rear-view mirror.
I anticipated the shortage of a rear window to be an issue from the motive force’s seat, however solely till I tried to reverse park and had the realisation it was ineffective trying over my shoulder; it’s very straightforward to overlook there’s no window there.
Polestar says the 4 is the primary automotive to make use of the second-generation digicam know-how from Gentex for its digital rear-view mirror, which includes a 2.5-megapixel high-definition digicam mounted the place a shark-fin antenna would usually go.
The corporate says the excessive dynamic vary and customized picture processing improves visibility throughout all lighting situations, and provides a wider subject of view than a traditional mirror by way of a standard rear window.
When quizzed in regards to the placement of the digicam and the danger of it getting soiled or broken, the 4’s product supervisor Ola Aldensjö mentioned the digicam’s positioning on the rear roof and the housing’s lipped border helps mitigate the danger of it getting dirtied by rain and dirt, or broken by particles.
Past the digital rear-view mirror, the Polestar 4 is provided with a litany of cameras (11) and sensors (12) across the automobile. The usual encompass parking digicam is nice, however its chook’s-eye view can undergo from the marginally warped show we’ve seen in different Polestar and Volvo merchandise.
We didn’t expertise any points with the motive force monitoring system, which didn’t have overzealous tendencies like we’ve endured in autos from different – particularly Korean and Chinese language – manufacturers.
To see how the Polestar 4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What do you get?
The Polestar 4 is obtainable in two variants in Australia.
Polestar 4 Lengthy vary Single motor highlights:
20-inch ‘Aero’ wheels with Pirelli P Zero tyresLED headlights with lively high-beamLED daytime operating lightsLED rear gentle barIlluminated Polestar grille logoHeated and frameless exterior mirrorsRetractable door handlesPuddle lights11kW onboard AC chargerRain-sensing wipersPower-adjustable heated entrance seatsDriver reminiscence functionCharcoal-coloured headliningRecycled plastic ground matsDual-zone local weather controlHeat pump10.2-inch digital instrument cluster15.4-inch infotainment systemGoogle built-in functionalityGoogle AssistantGoogle MapsGoogle Play StoreWireless Apple CarPlayBluetoothDAB+ digital radioWireless telephone charger8-speaker sound systemIntegrated 5G e-SIM3yr Google service connectivityOver-the-air updatesPolestar ConnectIntegrated dashcam4x USB-C shops (two entrance, two rear)12-volt energy outlet (situated within the boot)Tender-closing electrical tailgateTyre restore kitFirst assist kitDigital key, ultra-wideband distant frequency key and NFC key card
Polestar 4 Lengthy vary Twin motor provides:
Semi-active dampersRange and Efficiency driving modesLaunch mode
To see how the Polestar 4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
Choices
Numerous packages and standalone choices can be found for the Polestar 4.
Professional Pack: $2500
21-inch Professional wheelsMichelin Pilot Sport 4 EV tyresBlack seatbelts with Swedish Gold stripeSwedish Gold valve caps
Plus Pack: $8000
14.7-inch head-up display12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound systemPixel LED headlights with adaptive high-beam22kW onboard chargerAutomatic dimming facet mirrorsCharcoal ‘MicroTech’ or Mist ‘Tailor-made Knit’ upholsteryPower-adjustable steering column with reminiscence‘Prolonged’ entrance seat electrical adjustmentHeated steering wheelTri-zone local weather management with air high quality monitoringHeated electrical reclining rear seatsRear leisure screenHands-free energy tailgate
Efficiency Pack: $7200 (Twin motor with Plus Pack)
Polestar Engineered chassis tuning22-inch Efficiency cast alloy wheelsPirelli P Zero tyresBrembo brakes incl. Swedish Gold calipersSwedish Gold valve caps, seatbelts
Nappa improve: $7000 (requires Plus Pack)
‘Animal welfare-secured’ perforated Bridge of Weir Nappa leather-based (zinc or charcoal)Ventilated entrance seats with therapeutic massage functionAdditional Harman Kardon headrest speakersRear consolation headrestsBrushed textile headliner
Single merchandise choices:
21-inch sport alloy wheels: $2500Privacy rear glass: $700Body-coloured decrease cladding: $1400 (requires Plus Pack)Electrochromic panoramic glass roof: $2700Electric folding tow bar: $2900AC charging cable: $360
To see how the Polestar 4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
Is the Polestar 4 protected?
The Polestar 4 is but to obtain a security ranking from ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Normal security options embrace:
7 airbags11 exterior cameras12 ultrasonic sensorsAutonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)Ahead, ReverseCar, pedestrian, bicycle owner detectionJunction assistAdaptive cruise controlBlind-spot assistDriver monitoring systemAhead collision warningClever pace restrict assistInterior movement sensorLane change assistLane preserve assistPilot AssistAdaptive cruise + lane centringUp to 150km/hRoad signal recognitionTyre stress monitoringWhiplash safety – entrance
To see how the Polestar 4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How a lot does the Polestar 4 value to run?
The Polestar 4 is offered in Australia with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
There may be additionally a 12-year guarantee towards corrosion, whereas three years of complimentary Polestar Join and 5 years of roadside help are included within the buy worth.
Whereas the free servicing bundle is a wholesome saving, it’s a disgrace there’s no partnership with a public charging supplier to assist new EV clients ease into utilizing Australia’s typically flawed charger community.
To see how the Polestar 4 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Polestar 4
It might look awkward from some angles, however I got here away fairly impressed with the Polestar 4.
Do you have to take pleasure in its distinctive exterior, you’ll be much more impressed with the stylish cabin, the shocking quantity of house for passengers and their cargo, the user-friendly tech, and the participating drive expertise.
It’s additionally bought a protracted vary that’s achievable in the actual world, although the 200kW DC charging capability is a bit off the tempo in comparison with another manufacturers within the EV house – noting that 100kWh is kind of an enormous battery to re-juice.
Whereas the prolonged choices checklist is annoyingly dear, it conversely permits homeowners to actually make the automotive their very own with their ultimate mixture of add-ons, or simply preserve it easy with the already first rate customary specification.
You additionally get a reasonably candy take care of free servicing for 5 years or 100,000km; which is longer than the lifetime of most finance or lease durations anyway.
Polestar has a bit of labor to do in Australia although. The model’s dedication and transparency round holistic sustainability is a superb level of distinction, however it’s nonetheless a largely unknown entity to most people Down Below and, for a lot of, its designs may nonetheless be confused with these from Volvo.
Nonetheless, an even bigger seller community in 2025 will enhance Polestar’s model recognition, as will a broader product portfolio led by the 4, which is anticipated to be its top-seller. Because the model’s first entry in Australia’s single largest new-vehicle gross sales section, the Polestar 4 will probably be a greater take a look at of how many individuals its sellers can convert to clients, and whether or not many will merely find yourself on Hertz rental fleets like the two.
My choose? The Single motor with the Plus Pack and privateness glass is available in at slightly below $100,000 drive-away, even with the gorgeous (however exxy) $2300 Snow white paint.
That offers you all of the cool options like Pixel LED headlights, Harman Kardon audio, knitted upholstery, and power-reclining rear seats, whereas additionally providing one of the best stability of efficiency and vary.
Excited by shopping for a Polestar? Get in contact with considered one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
Click on the photographs for the total gallery
MORE: All the things Polestar 4
