The SUV coupe

I used to think that sedans were boring, that is until I owned a 5sp manual e36 4 door M3. It’d be loaded up for bear (kids’ accoutrements) and could still meet the challenge of the road ahead. Well,…. meet the new boss.

The Polestar 4 is one of the most unconventional vehicles in the premium EV segment. Positioned between the Polestar 2 and the larger Polestars, it sports a coupe-style fastback roofline combined with SUV ride height a formula familiar from the BMW X4 or Porsche Cayenne Coupe. However, Polestar makes an even bolder design statement by eliminating the rear window entirely, instead providing rear visibility through a camera display integrated into the rearview mirror.

The No-Rear-Window Controversy

Removing the rear window was a deliberate design and aerodynamic decision. Polestar argues it improves aerodynamic efficiency, allows for a more dramatic roofline, and gives rear passengers a greater sense of privacy (ie. inspiration point). We have noted that the camera-based rear view takes adjustment, and for drivers accustomed to a physical window, it can be disorienting. This is arguably the Polestar 4’s defining characteristic but may be a genuine dealbreaker for some buyers.

The interior, on the other hand, received our praise. Premium materials, a spacious rear cabin with optional reclining rear seats, a rear entertainment screen, and the familiar Android Automotive OS infotainment platform make for a compelling premium cabin experience.

Polestar 4 rear window

Issue? You decide.

2025–2026 Polestar 4 — Full Specifications

The 2025 Polestar 4

The Polestar 4 sits in a sweet spot of the lineup: more affordable than the Polestar 3, with strong performance credentials and a genuinely distinctive design. Its 100 kWh battery provides comparable energy density to the Polestar 3’s 111 kWh pack in a smaller footprint, and the dual-motor variant’s 3.7-second 0–60 mph time makes it one of the quicker entries in the luxury compact SUV segment. Numbers need reference for impact: The 911 Turbo 997.1 posts the same 0 -60 time.

The 2026 model year brings modest price increases and continues production at the Renault Korea Motors joint-venture plant (shared with Geely/ Renault/ Samsung), which may eventually allow North American buyers to benefit from potential future tax credit eligibility, depending on trade policy developments; Canadians can smile.

Comparing the Polestar 4 vs. Electric Crossover Coupes

The Polestar 4 occupies a distinct niche: the premium electric crossover coupe. It contends with the Porsche Macan Electric, BMW iX2, Audi Q6 e-tron, and Genesis GV60 in this design-forward, performance-focused SUV-coupe category.

Verdict

The Polestar 4 is a beaut and is competitively priced against the Audi Q6 e-tron and Genesis GV60 Performance while being significantly cheaper than the Porsche Macan EV. However, the Porsche and Audi both use 800-volt architecture, enabling dramatically faster charging the Macan can add 100 miles in roughly 8 minutes versus 16 minutes for the Polestar 4. This charging speed gap is the most significant technical disadvantage for the Polestar 4. The rear-camera-only rear visibility remains a genuine usability concern that buyers should experience before committing. Just remember to use what’s available: Mirrors and cameras.

Ownership Experience & Brand Considerations

Warranty & Service

All current Polestar models come with a 4-year / 50,000-mile vehicle warranty and an 8-year / 100,000-mile battery and drivetrain warranty; terms which are consistent with the luxury EV segment. Service is available through authorized Polestar’s direct retail and service locations and through Volvo’s wider dealer network in many markets. Polestar offers complimentary maintenance for the first 3 years / 30,000 miles on the Polestar 3, and scheduled service includes vehicle pick-up and drop-off, a premium touch that reduces ownership friction.

Software & Connectivity

Polestar’s use of Android Automotive OS is a genuine differentiator which, unlike Android Auto (which mirrors your phone), is embedded natively in the car’s computer. This means Google Maps, Google Assistant, Spotify, YouTube Music, and other apps run independently of a phone connection. Over-the-air (OTA) software updates are included for the vehicle’s lifetime, ensuring the car’s features, performance calibrations, and safety systems can be improved remotely, making it seem more of a tech device than a traditional car.

Polestar also includes 3 years of 5G connectivity, enabling real-time traffic data, remote app control (locking, climate pre-conditioning, charging monitoring), and online streaming services within the car’s infotainment system.

Sustainability Credentials

Central to Polestar’s brand identity the company publishes detailed lifecycle assessment (LCA) reports for its vehicles, a level of carbon transparency rare in the automotive industry. Materials choices prioritize recycled and responsibly sourced inputs where possible. Polestar has also set a target to produce a truly climate-neutral car by 2030, with interim milestones for reducing supply chain emissions. For environmentally conscious premium buyers, this transparency is a meaningful differentiator.

EV Charging Access

Polestar vehicles currently use CCS1 charging inlets in North America, providing access to the broad public charging network including Electrify America and ChargePoint stations. In 2025, Polestar had announced its intention to transition to NACS (Tesla’s North American Charging Standard / SAE J3400), which would provide access to Tesla’s Supercharger network adding tens of thousands of additional fast-charging locations across North America. This is now the case and makes things easier. Be advised that pre-2025 2,3 & 4 remain CCS1.

Overall Verdict & Buying Guide

Polestar has matured rapidly from a single-model startup into a credible multi-model luxury EV brand with a clear identity and genuine technical differentiation. Its vehicles consistently offer best-in-class software integration, premium Scandinavian interiors, and competitive performance, while the expanding lineup now covers nearly every major premium EV segment.

The Polestar 2 remains the brand’s spiritual core: A driver-focused performance fastback that rewards those who value distinctiveness over raw specs. Its range limitation and high 2026 pricing (low to mid $50s USD) are genuine compromises. However, the all-in Performance Pack configuration delivers a cohesive, premium experience.

The Polestar 3 is arguably the most compelling model in the range today. Its positioning below the BMW iX and Mercedes EQE SUV in price, combined with competitive range, the standard air suspension, and the upcoming LiDAR autonomous driving option, make it one of the strongest value propositions in the luxury electric SUV market.

The Polestar 4 is distinctive and well-equipped, but the no-rear-window design is a genuine polarizer, and its 400-volt charging architecture lags rivals that have embraced 800-volt systems for markedly faster charging. It is best suited to urban and mixed driving where the charging speed gap matters less.

The Polestar 5 looms as the brand’s most significant launch. If it delivers on its extraordinary 421-mile WLTP range and 884 hp performance targets at a competitive price point against the Porsche Taycan, it could redefine expectations for what a performance GT can offer and establish Polestar as a genuine flagship luxury EV player on the global stage.

Polestar 6: Is the future here, now?

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