Polestar 4 2025 Review
Polestar thinks outside the box for its latest electric coupe SUV – but is the 4 too much of a niche within a niche?Being different merely for the sake of it can be a surefire way of setting yourself up for failure. Sometimes there’s a reason few have done something a certain way. However, true innovation that works can be revolutionary. As a premium-focussed EV, the Polestar 4 looks innocuous at face value. Yet, delve a little deeper and you’ll spot a lack of rear windscreen and an almost button-free interior. Ultimately, that’s just scraping the surface of the novelty and tech available here. But is the Polestar 4 trying to be too ‘out of the box’ for its own good?
How much does the Polestar 4 cost?
The 2025 Polestar 4 is priced between the 2 and 3. There are two variants; both are ‘Long range’ versions in either or single- or dual-motor guises.
Prices start at $78,500 plus on-road costs (ORCs) for the rear-wheel drive single motor we’re testing here and top out at $88,350 plus ORCs for the 400kW dual motor. Although, both figures can easily head north with options.
Polestar offers an industry standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the 100kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Interestingly, Polestar will replace the battery at no cost if its ‘State of Health’ (SoH) drops below 70 per cent within the first eight years.
Impressively, the Polestar 4 is covered by five years or 100,000km (whichever comes first) of free scheduled servicing and five years of complimentary roadside assistance. Trips to the dealer for maintenance are required every two years or 30,000km.
There’s a mixture of rivals for the Polestar 4 of varying prices. Less expensive options are the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV5 and Tesla Model Y.
At the premium end are the just-released Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX3, while the Skoda Enyaq RS offers prodigious power and practicality for a similar price.
What equipment comes with the Polestar 4?
Any way you look at it, having no rear windscreen is just a little odd. Even with the attractive exterior aesthetic somewhat obscuring the unique design, it certainly sparks conversation. Another factor that isn’t immediately apparent is that the 2025 Polestar 4 is classified as an SUV.
Animal welfare-secured and environmentally friendly choices have been made for the interior materials, while some of the other included features include 20-inch Aero wheels, LED headlights, panoramic glass roof, eight-way electrically adjustable driver seat (six-way passenger), pop-out door handles, keyless entry (it locks, unlocks and ‘starts’ by simply having the fob with you) and an electronic tailgate. There’s more as standard, but the optional extras are of note.
Our test car comes with the $8000 Plus Pack, which sounds expensive given it includes some must-have items. It comprises (deep breath) a Harman Kardon premium sound system, 14.7-inch head-up display, Zinc interior with ‘Star knit’, Pixel LED headlights, kick sensor for the powered tailgate, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, power-operated steering column and rear reclining seats, heated steering wheel and rear outboard seats, rear control screen, tri-zone climate control, air filtration and boosted 22kW AC charging.
Viewed as a whole the option pack makes monetary sense for the sheer number of features it adds. However, for a car already approaching $80K we’d argue that some of the kit should already be included.
How safe is the Polestar 4?
The 2025 Polestar 4 is currently unrated by ANCAP and therefore doesn’t have an official safety rating. It also hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP. However, with Volvo links, safety is paramount and the 4 is fitted with seven airbags as well as ISOFIX points and child-seat anchorages.
Still, this is a Volvo-derived product so the active safety kit is comprehensive and includes tech like autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist, pedestrian and junction detection, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, road sign recognition, driver attention warning, 14.7-inch head-up display, parking sensors and 360-degree cameras.
In terms of real-world operation, the Pilot Assist is quite overzealous – so much so that it almost wants to drive for you. Luckily, you don’t have to use it – you can revert to normal cruise control. Up to four profiles can also be set up, meaning each designated driver can tailor their own safety settings (including seat/mirrors).
What technology does the Polestar 4 feature?
The 2025 Polestar 4 is a tech tour de force. It’s dominated by the large central touch-screen, which is now 15.4 inches and has a landscape orientation instead of Polestar’s usual portrait arrangement.
Android Automotive has been called on for the operating system (OS) and with a Polestar-developed interface, it’s an immersive and comprehensive OS. It’s quick to use and once familiar with the best ways to optimise the infotainment, it becomes easy to navigate.
With in-built processes like Google Assistant (including maps), Spotify and even a 5G connection, it makes using the native system and not wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto a bit of a no-brainer. An added benefit for doing so is having route guidance show up in the 10.2-inch instrument cluster (and HUD).
There’s also NFC (Near Field Communication) compatibility, Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio, a 15W wireless charging port, four USB-C ports (one of which is a 60W port) and the premium Harmon Kardon audio (Plus pack). Animal mode keeps the climate control running if you decided to leave your pets inside the car for a short period, while you can also pre-condition the cabin with an air-conditioning timer.
Another key feature is over the air updates (OTA). In fact, a big update was required while the Polestar 4 was in our possession with tweaks to the Pilot Assist, charging and one-pedal driving filtering through.
Our only gripe with the remarkable tech suite is that nearly all the controls must go through the central touch-screen. Yes, setting things like the external mirrors, steering wheel and air vents are likely to be set-and-forget propositions, but why overcomplicate something that was a simple process originally?
What powers the Polestar 4?
Compared to most modern EVs, the 2025 Polestar 4 single motor’s figures of 200kW and 343Nm might seem a little meek by comparison. Yet, you’d hardly call it slow with a 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds. Not bad considering the 2230kg kerb weight, too.
The single permanent magnet e-motor powers the rear axle alone and it’s channelled through a single-speed reduction gear transmission.
On-road the Polestar 4 is silent with no sound synthesising to mimic an internal-combustion engine. In fact, road noise in general is supremely hushed. It’s quick off the mark, with the initial motivation trailing off as the speed increases.
Although, the single-motor variant is still more than capable of highway overtakes and presents with all the grunt you feasibly need.
How far can the Polestar 4 go on a charge?
Funnily enough, a long way.
The 2025 Polestar 4 Long range single motor lives up to its name with a WLTP-rated figure of 620km. It achieves this with a 400V lithium-ion battery pack with a 100kWh capacity (94kWh useable).
Polestar claims an energy consumption rate of between 17.8 and 18.1kWh/100km. After our week with the 4 we came close to meeting the official figure after driving in city, suburban and highway settings. We achieved an average of 19.1kWh/100km.
When it comes to replenishing the battery pack, the Polestar 4 is capable of DC fast charging up to 200kW. That equates to a 10-80 per cent charge time of 30 minutes. If you option the Plus pack, ‘filling up’ from zero to 100 per cent takes 5.5 hours with 22kW AC charging, or 11 hours using 11kW.
What is the Polestar 4 like to drive?
It’s all a bit of a doddle, really. While the 2025 Polestar 4 Long range single motor looks outlandish, it’s anything but in terms of the general driving characteristics. Vision out the back is, of course, another story, which we’ll get to soon.
The ride quality using the passive dampers is impressively amenable with the suspension favouring comfort. Despite running 20-inch alloys, the Polestar 4 is fitted with chubbier 255/50 Pirelli P Zero tyres and the extra sidewall aspect helps iron out all the potholes, tram lines and speed bumps a city commute can throw at it. A calm and relaxing vibe is at the forefront of the driving experience.
Thankfully it hasn’t come at the expense of control. The Polestar 4 weighs the wrong side of two tonnes, yet roll is largely contained and the damping is tuned to reduce unwanted rebound. A Sport driving mode is offered, but there’s no extra performance to glean from it or any added feedback.
Yes, the single-motor setup does power the back axle, but don’t get too caught up in traditional rear-wheel drive dynamics. The steering benefits as the front wheels are for turning and not traction, but the feedback is numb no matter which of the three modes (light, standard and firm) you select.
What is the Polestar 4 like inside?
Yes, there are strong hints of Tesla in the minimalist style and the way the tech is presented, but the cabin design of the 2025 Polestar 4 is all Scandi chic. And, of course, environmentally conscious.
If ever there was a reason to not pine for cowhide, the Mist Tailored Knit fabric seats would be it. They are pleasingly tactile and exude an upmarket sense of style usually only associated with fine Nappa leather. Volvo is renowned for seating and all four (plus one) spots live up to the reputation.
The uncluttered design could be seen as unimaginative, but the reality is there’s beauty in the details and luxe ambience. Our test car’s light tones might prove hard to keep clean over time, yet they make the cabin airy given the lack of rear daylight.
So yes, it’s time to talk about that rear window – or lack thereof. There’s a lot to wrap your head around with it. And after spending time with the car in torrential rain, clear blue skies and night-time driving, it’s hard to see the pros outweighing the cons.
Essentially, the Polestar 4 uses cameras mounted high (or at the top of where the rear windscreen would be) to stream live footage into an 8.9-inch digital rear-view mirror within the cabin. Digital rear-view mirrors aren’t unique to the Polestar 4, but the issue with the augmented live feed is the depth perception. Everything appears much closer than it is.
The first time you’re at a standstill with a car approaching from behind your mind will be convinced that it’s about to smack right into you. Even with a car appropriately parked behind at a safe distance it looks as though it’s in the back seat.
Without a true line of sight, you’re totally reliant on the cameras and sensors when reversing. This is made harder at night or when you encounter inclement weather. If you have a tight garage opening and you back into it, then be prepared for some heart-in-mouth moments.
Also, be careful if you opt to turn on the ambient lighting at night – which is the purpose of such a feature. All the colours illuminate the faux rear window with moody hues, but they reflect poorly onto the digital rear-view mirror, rendering the live feed virtually useless. You can alter your angle to it and allow your eyes to adjust to improve the situation slightly, but that’s very distracting.
Plus, no one in the car behind you can see your courtesy wave for letting you into traffic – which is probably the biggest travesty…
Yet, there are real benefits to the bespoke formfactor. Despite there being a full panoramic glass roof and a sloping, coupe-like design, rear headroom is generous for adults. Legroom is verging on Mercedes-Benz S-Class levels (although toe room is poor) and the electrically operated reclining backrests are a total indulgent delight.
The amenity level is high, too, with both central and B-pillar-mounted air vents. Even the tri-zone climate control gains a 5.7-inch touch-screen, while there are also map pockets, reading lights and dual USB-C charge ports. It even supports vehicle to load (V2L) with a traditional household three-pronged plug.
The boot is pragmatic and spacious with hooks, a 12V socket and moveable floor. There’s a total of 526 litres of cargo capacity, which expands to 1536L with the 60/40-split folding rear seats stowed. The ‘frunk’ is small at just 15L but could be useful for storing charging cables.
After a week with the Polestar 4 we struggled to gel fully with the daring windowless-tailgate arrangement. Sadly, it detracts from what is otherwise an utterly luxurious and premium space to inhabit.
Should I buy a Polestar 4?
Fewer buyers take the time to test drive cars before purchasing these days. We’d strongly suggest you do if you’re considering the 2025 Polestar 4. Even the Swedish company itself said that the new technology is “something you’ve got to get used to”.
Rear window aside, the Polestar 4 proves a convincing product from the Chinese-owned Swedish brand. We can see why you’d step up to the dual-motor variant for its increased pace for ‘only’ an extra $10K, but the reality is the single-motor spec is enough on its own.
If you like to break from the norm, the Polestar 4 is a comfortable, opulent and enjoyable way to do it.
2025 Polestar 4 at a glance:
Price: $78,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 200kW/343Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 100kWh lithium-ion
Range: 620km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 17.8-18.1kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not rated
Related: Polestar 4 2024 Review
Related: Polestar expands sales network in Australia
Related: No rear window is no problem for Polestar 4, says car-maker
- Interior design and quality are outstanding – a very nice place to be
- Rear-seat passengers are treated to reclining seats and loads of room
- Comfortable ride quality, generous EV range and included servicing costs
- Lack of rear window can feel like form over function – an acquired taste
- Heavy reliance on the central touch-screen for key controls
- Option packs are expensive and quickly jack up the overall price
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