The Polestar 4 doesn't look like any other premium electric SUV β mainly because it has no rear window. The Swedish-Chinese brand decided to replace the traditional rear glass with a high-resolution digital camera, creating a car that provokes reactions. Let's see if this bold design choice is justified by the rest of the package.
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Design β No Rear Window, Plenty of Character
The Polestar 4 belongs to the coupe SUV category β 190.5 inches long, 79.1 inches wide, just 60.8 inches tall. It sits between the Polestar 2 and Polestar 3, built on Geely's SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform, the same one underpinning the Zeekr 001 and Volvo EX30.
The absence of a rear window isn't a compromise β it's a design statement. Polestar explains that the narrow fastback tail would have only allowed a tiny window, giving βletterboxβ visibility in the mirror. Instead, a roof-mounted camera sends a wide-angle image to a digital mirror, while aerodynamics improve and rear headroom increases significantly.
The result is an exceptionally clean rear end with a light bar spanning the full width β unmistakably Polestar DNA. The panoramic glass roof covers nearly the entire top, keeping the interior bright despite the missing rear window.
The Camera That Replaces the Mirror
How it works
An HD camera mounted on the roof feeds a high-resolution display where the traditional rearview mirror would be. The image is wide-angle, offering a larger field of view compared to a conventional window. However, it's not without drawbacks: you need to shift focus between the road and the screen β something that doesn't happen with a traditional mirror, where the image is at the same focal distance as the road ahead.
Powertrains & Performance
The Polestar 4 is available in two variants sharing a common 102 kWh NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery:
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
- Power: 272 HP (203 kW)
- Torque: 253 lb-ft
- 0-62 mph: 7.4 sec
- Top speed: 112 mph
- WLTP range: 373 miles
- EPA range: 300 miles
- Suspension: Passive
All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Power: 544 HP (406 kW)
- Torque: 506 lb-ft
- 0-62 mph: 3.8 sec
- Top speed: 124 mph
- WLTP range: 348 miles
- EPA range: 270 miles
- Suspension: Adaptive
The Dual Motor version is the fastest production car Polestar has ever made. The adaptive suspension makes a huge difference: more comfortable on the road, more stable through corners, more enjoyable overall. For those wanting even more, the Performance Pack (~$5,000) adds Brembo brakes, 22β³ wheels, Pirelli P Zero tires, specially tuned dampers, and the signature Swedish gold accents.
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Charging & Practicality
The 102 kWh battery supports AC charging up to 22 kW (full charge in ~5 hours) and DC fast charging up to 200 kW (10-80% in roughly 30 minutes). The 400V architecture, while not matching the 800V of some competitors, still delivers practical charging times for daily use.
In practice, the Single Motor version with its 373-mile WLTP range can achieve 280-310 miles in real-world conditions β enough for most journeys without stopping to charge. Even the Dual Motor with its 348-mile WLTP rating delivers 250-280 miles of real-world range.
Interior & Technology
15.4β³ Touchscreen
Central landscape touchscreen with Android Automotive OS β Google Maps, Assistant and Play Store built-in
10.2β³ Cluster + 14.7β³ HUD
Digital instrument cluster and head-up display for minimal distraction from the road
100% Recycled
Interior upholstery from 100% recycled polyester β Scandinavian minimalism with ecological conscience
The interior follows the Polestar philosophy: calm, minimalist, premium. Rear headroom is exceptional thanks to the missing rear window β the glass roof extends well beyond the rear passengers' heads. Cargo space is practical with fold-down rear seats, though Polestar admits that carrying dogs without a rear window isn't ideal.
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One notable drawback is the relative lack of physical buttons β many functions are controlled exclusively via the touchscreen, which isn't to everyone's taste, especially while driving.
Competitors by the Numbers
| Model | Power | WLTP Range | 0-62 | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polestar 4 SM | 272 HP | 373 mi | 7.4s | ~$56,000 |
| Polestar 4 DM | 544 HP | 348 mi | 3.8s | ~$68,000 |
| Tesla Model Y | 514 HP | 331 mi | 3.7s | ~$45,000 |
| Porsche Macan EV | 408 HP | 367 mi | 5.7s | ~$80,000 |
| BMW iX xDrive40 | 326 HP | 264 mi | 6.1s | ~$73,000 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 325 HP | 315 mi | 5.1s | ~$45,000 |
The Polestar 4 occupies an interesting position: cheaper than the Porsche Macan EV and BMW iX, more expensive than the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5, but with longer range, premium feel, and unique design. The Single Motor represents excellent value in the premium segment.
Safety & Platform
Euro NCAP awarded it 5 stars with impressive scores: 92% adult protection, 85% child, 81% pedestrian, and 79% safety assist. The SEA (SEA1/PMA1) platform from Geely proves to be a solid foundation β the same DNA underlies the Zeekr 001 and Volvo EM90.
Production started in November 2023 at the Ningbo factory in China, while from H2 2025 it is also being produced at Renault Korea's Busan plant in South Korea β a strategic move to avoid tariffs in Europe and the US. In February 2026, Polestar announced an estate variant that β finally β will have a rear window.
Final Assessment
Pros
- Unique design that stands out
- Excellent range (up to 373 miles WLTP)
- Premium interior with recycled materials
- 544 HP in Dual Motor β blazingly fast
- 5-star Euro NCAP rating
- Android Automotive with Google integration
Cons
- Digital mirror requires adaptation
- 400V instead of 800V architecture
- Few physical buttons
- Curb weight 4,921-5,183 lbs
- Not ideal for carrying pets
- Passive suspension on Single Motor
Verdict
The Polestar 4 is a bold premium EV that takes risks with design and wins on many fronts. The missing rear window divides buyers, but 373 miles of range, a refined interior, and top-tier performance make it a serious contender in the $56,000-$72,000 bracket. If you don't mind digital rear visibility, it's one of the best premium EVs you can buy today. If you want a rear window, wait for the estate β it's coming later in 2026.
with bold design choices