SHARP Drives: The New Polestar 4 Shows Us What Swedish Innovation Looks Like

When I travelled down to Austin, Texas, for an introductory firsthand experience with a Polestar, I already knew what to expect — or thought I did. After speaking with colleagues and peers expertly versed in automotive culture, I was primed to expect a design-focused electric performance car that combines elevated performance, cutting-edge technology, and refined Swedish design. Yet what was awaiting me — the Polestar 4, the brand’s latest release — was a sight and experience that couldn’t have been foretold.

A version of the performance SUV coupe had been available in international markets for about a year before we drove the car. But its emergence in both Canada and the United States was delayed until the Sweden-based company opened its production facility in Busan, South Korea. A pair of versions are available, both using the same CATL-provided 100 kWh battery pack and 400-volt architecture. A long-range, single-motor version is offered as the range’s base, with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version being Polestar’s highest-performance model. Thankfully, I had the chance to put myself behind both versions.

As for the drive itself, the Polestar 4 is well worth the wait for Canadians looking for a luxury performance EV. Navigating the tight, downtown Austin streets felt comfortable with the car’s exceptional body control. Polestar has managed to make its approximately 5,000-pound SUV feel sleek and compact, even amidst rush hour traffic. But on the Texas backroads, sailing past the expansive ranches and far away from the bustle of South Congress Avenue, the Polestar shines. The electric power steering pairs well with the punchy acceleration. The one element I would be remiss to ignore with Polestar’s most dynamic car yet is a signature of the Swedish brand’s latest release.

If it isn’t obvious the moment you set eyes on the car, it certainly will be the moment you go to reverse: there’s no back window. That’s right, as odd as it sounds for an everyday SUV, Polestar opted to extend its electrochromic glass roof and allow for a far roomier rear seat, by doing away with a traditional rear window. Instead, a high-tech backup camera with a concave lens provides an extensive image of traffic with no blind spots. And before you ask, don’t worry, we inquired: Polestar says a cold-weather-tested shield over the camera protects it from rain, ice, and snow.

Is it more “signature” or “gimmick”? Well, the leg room proves true, as it’s one of the comfier backseats my 6’5” frame has sprawled across. But the sharp slope of the rear seems to cut into the cargo space, leaving a small 18.6 cubic feet of rear trunk space (there is also 1.1 cubic feet of under-floor storage) and a 0.5-cubic-foot front trunk. But like it or not, there’s intention in every aspect of the Polestar 4, from its punchy performance upgrades to its pioneering design. The EV space remains largely as unpredictable as it was a few years ago, but with its fourth release, Polestar makes the case for how it intends to remain a player in the industry’s most intriguing game.

FEATURE PHOTO COURTESY OF POLESTAR.