The Polestar 4: A Bold Vision Redefining the Luxury Electric SUV in 2025
In a automotive landscape increasingly saturated with electric vehicles, 2025 marks a pivot
al moment for brands striving to stand out. Having navigated the complex currents of this industry for over a decade, I’ve witnessed the ebb and flow of trends, the rise of disruptors, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. Against this backdrop, Polestar, Volvo’s electric performance offshoot, has consistently carved out its niche by blending Scandinavian minimalism with exhilarating power. Now, as we fully embrace 2025, the Polestar 4 arrives on American roads, not merely as another entrant, but as a daring statement poised to redefine expectations for the luxury electric SUV segment.
This isn’t just an evolution; it’s a revolution. The Polestar 4 challenges conventions from its inception, most notably by famously omitting a traditional rear window. This isn’t a design quirk for its own sake, but a calculated engineering decision that unlocks new possibilities in aerodynamics, cabin space, and a visionary approach to driver information. Priced to compete in the premium EV performance category, starting at a competitive $57,800 for the single-motor variant and escalating for the more potent dual-motor, the Polestar 4 is a compelling proposition for those seeking a sophisticated, high-tech, and truly next-generation electric vehicle. It’s a machine that demands attention, not just for what it has, but for what it boldly chooses to discard.
Defining Its Space: The Polestar 4’s Market Footprint in 2025
The automotive hierarchy is a complex dance, and the Polestar 4 waltzes in with a clear, strategic placement. Positioned elegantly between the compact Polestar 2 sedan and the larger, more traditional Polestar 3 SUV, the 4 targets a sweet spot: a mid-size D-segment performance SUV that boasts the agility of a coupe with the practicality of an SUV. In my experience, finding this balance is often the key to capturing a significant market share, and Polestar has meticulously engineered the 4 to hit that equilibrium.
The competitive arena in 2025 is fierce, populated by established titans and ambitious newcomers alike. The Polestar 4 finds itself vying for attention against formidable rivals such as the Porsche Macan EV, a fellow new challenger pushing the boundaries of electric performance; the ubiquitous Tesla Model Y, which continues to dominate sales charts with its blend of range and charging infrastructure; the refined BMW iX, a beacon of German luxury; the Audi Q4 e-tron, a testament to practical sophistication; and the Mercedes EQE SUV, offering opulent comfort in an electric package. What sets the Polestar 4 apart in this crowded field is its unwavering commitment to a distinctive design philosophy and an uncompromised driving experience that emphasizes sustainable automotive technology without sacrificing exhilaration.
For the North American market, particularly the US and Canada, the Polestar 4’s arrival is timely. Consumers are increasingly discerning, looking beyond raw specifications to the holistic experience, build quality, and long-term value. The Polestar 4, with its striking aesthetics and purposeful engineering, is designed to appeal to buyers who appreciate avant-garde design and intelligent functionality. It’s not just another option; it’s an alternative for those who find traditional luxury a bit too conventional and cutting-edge tech a must-have. Its presence enriches the burgeoning segment of best electric SUVs 2025, offering a fresh perspective on what an electric performance utility vehicle can be.
Power Unleashed: Performance Dynamics of a Modern EV
At the heart of any true performance vehicle lies its powertrain, and the Polestar 4 offers two distinct yet equally compelling options, both engineered for a thrilling drive. For those prioritizing efficiency and a slightly more accessible entry point into premium EV performance, the single-motor rear-wheel-drive configuration is surprisingly potent. Generating 272 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque, this variant delivers a robust and responsive acceleration experience, hitting 60 mph in a respectable 6.9 seconds. What truly impresses is how Polestar has managed to extract so much character from a single motor, ensuring that even the base model feels anything but basic.
However, for the unadulterated thrill-seeker, the dual-motor all-wheel-drive Polestar 4 unleashes its full potential. With a staggering 544 horsepower and 504 lb-ft of torque, this configuration transforms the SUV into a veritable rocket ship. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is dispatched in a breathtaking 3.7 seconds, placing it firmly in the territory of exotic sports cars. What’s remarkable is that despite the significant difference in on-paper figures, both variants share a common thread of immediate, seamless torque delivery—a built-in virtue of electric propulsion that Polestar exploits to perfection. Both models also cap their top speed at a brisk 124 mph, ensuring that sustained high-speed cruising is as effortless as city driving.
Underneath, both powertrains are fed by a substantial 100 kWh battery pack, providing ample energy for journeys far and wide. The single-motor variant boasts an impressive estimated range of 310 miles, offering considerable EV range anxiety solutions for daily commutes and longer trips. The dual-motor, with its increased power output, delivers an estimated 280 miles, still more than sufficient for the vast majority of drivers. These figures underscore Polestar’s commitment to practical usability alongside high performance.
Charging capabilities are equally forward-looking. The Polestar 4 supports rapid DC fast charging at up to 200 kW, meaning a quick top-up from 10% to 80% can be achieved in a little over 30 minutes, minimizing downtime during long excursions. Crucially for the North American market, Polestar has embraced the North American Charging Standard (NACS), ensuring seamless compatibility with the rapidly expanding Tesla Supercharger EV charging network—a monumental shift that promises to significantly alleviate charging infrastructure concerns for future Polestar owners. This strategic adoption reflects a proactive approach to enhancing the electric vehicle charging network experience, solidifying the Polestar 4’s position as a truly connected and convenient high-performance EV.
The Visionary Perspective: Redefining Rear Visibility
Perhaps no aspect of the Polestar 4 has generated as much discussion—and indeed, some initial skepticism—as the absence of a traditional rear window. As an industry expert, I’ve seen countless “innovative” design choices come and go, but this particular decision by Polestar isn’t just a stylistic flourish; it’s a bold, functional re-imagination of rear visibility, enabled by automotive innovation 2025.
Polestar Head of Design Maximilian Missoni articulated the challenge perfectly: creating a sleek, coupe-style roofline while balancing interior roominess, aerodynamic efficiency, and maintaining adequate rear vision. Traditionally, one of these elements had to compromise. Polestar refused that compromise. Their solution? A high-definition, roof-mounted, rear-facing camera that feeds a crystal-clear, wide-angle live stream directly to the interior rearview mirror.
In practice, this system works exceptionally well. My initial reservations, born from years of relying on conventional mirrors, quickly dissipated during test drives. The camera provides an unobstructed, broad view that often surpasses what a traditional rear window can offer, especially when obstructed by rear passengers or cargo. It’s a prime example of innovative EV design solving a longstanding design dilemma. The panoramic glass roof extends all the way down to where the rear window would typically be, enhancing cabin luminosity and creating an expansive, open feel for rear passengers—an unexpected benefit of this design choice.
Addressing practical concerns is paramount for widespread adoption. Questions inevitably arise about adverse weather conditions: “What about thick ice on a cold winter morning in the Midwest?” or “How will it handle heavy rain or mud splatter?” Polestar engineers confidently assert that the camera system, being integrated and protected within the roof structure, along with advanced heating elements and hydrophobic coatings, is designed to withstand harsh elements. This level of engineering robustness is critical for a feature that fundamentally alters a driver’s perception. Moreover, Polestar has ensured that this advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) feature is not only technically achievable but also fully compliant with all global and local safety regulations, a testament to their rigorous development process. The absence of a physical window isn’t merely aesthetic; it contributes to a cleaner aerodynamic profile, which in turn marginally improves range and reduces wind noise, further cementing its role as an intelligent design choice.
Sanctuary of Innovation: Inside the Polestar 4’s Cabin
Stepping into the Polestar 4’s interior reveals a cabin that is, in typical Polestar fashion, a masterclass in minimalist luxury and thoughtful design, reflecting a deep commitment to Polestar 4 interior technology. The available Bridge of Weir leather seats are sumptuously comfortable, offering both heating and a massage function—a welcome indulgence on longer journeys. For the environmentally conscious, Polestar offers an equally appealing and truly innovative Tailored Knit upholstery. This sustainable material is crafted from 100% recycled PET plastic waste, 3D-knitted to size, demonstrating how sustainable automotive technology can seamlessly integrate with high-end aesthetics and comfort. It’s a tactile experience that feels distinctly modern and responsible.
Passenger comfort extends to the rear, where the seats recline—a direct benefit of the absence of the rear window, allowing for greater structural flexibility. These rear seats are also heated, a feature included in the optional Plus Pack, ensuring that all occupants experience premium comfort. Rear passengers also get their own small screen, offering intuitive control over climate settings and infotainment, though it’s dedicated to controls rather than video playback, maintaining focus on the driver’s primary display. Headroom in the rear is surprisingly generous, another advantage of the unique roofline, while legroom is ample, if not overtly cavernous, perfectly adequate for its segment.
At the heart of the digital experience is a striking 15.4-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen. This central display, running a Google-native operating system, is the nerve center for virtually all vehicle functions. While intuitive and visually crisp, it does, like many modern designs, consolidate some controls that traditionally reside as physical buttons—including, rather amusingly, the glovebox door and even the climate vents. This represents a learning curve for some drivers, but the system’s responsiveness and logical interface quickly make it second nature.
A standout Polestar 4 interior tech feature is the debut of Google Maps with live lane guidance. While not present on all initial test vehicles, this functionality provides optimized lane recommendations, enhanced visual cues for turns, and displays crucial city crosswalks and road signs directly on the map, significantly reducing driver cognitive load. For the driver, a clear 10.2-inch instrument panel displays essential information, with legible digits keeping range and speed front and center. And for a touch of whimsy, a delightful screensaver featuring a robot dog proclaims “my owner will be back soon”—a small, charming detail that injects personality into the high-tech environment.
Beyond comfort and connectivity, the Polestar 4 is a fortress of safety. It bristles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), boasting an impressive array of 11 cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors that work in concert to provide a comprehensive 360-degree awareness of the vehicle’s surroundings. This suite of features underpins everything from adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance to automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, elevating active safety to a new level.
Practicality hasn’t been overlooked either. The luggage area is wide and deep, easily accessed via a powered tailgate, offering 18.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats up. There’s also convenient under-floor storage and, naturally, a frunk (front trunk) for charging cables or smaller items, a hallmark of many modern EVs.
The Drive: A Symphony of Control and Quietude
Having driven countless electric vehicles over the years, I can attest that the true measure of a premium EV performance vehicle often lies not just in its straight-line speed but in its dynamic road manners—how it handles, how it communicates with the driver, and how it isolates occupants from the outside world. The Polestar 4, even with its substantial curb weight of 5,192 pounds, truly shines in this regard.
On winding roads, particularly through the rolling hills of regions like Texas hill country, the dual-motor Polestar 4 exhibits a surprising athleticism. Its active dampers work tirelessly to keep the body composed, allowing the vehicle to dive into corners with an eagerness that belies its size. There’s a tangible sense of balance and precision, the steering offering just the right amount of feedback to inspire confidence. The four-piston Brembo brakes, standard on higher trims and a testament to serious performance, are predictably impressive, offering strong, consistent stopping power with excellent pedal feel.
What truly elevates the driving experience, however, is the cabin’s remarkable quietness. Even at highway speeds, wind and road noise are meticulously suppressed, creating an almost serene environment. This tranquility allows the optional 12-speaker, 1,320-watt Harman Kardon stereo system, part of the premium pack, to truly come alive, filling the space with rich, immersive audio. (Interestingly, it also follows the recent trend of omitting AM radio, a sign of changing media consumption habits.)
Polestar’s product identity team, headed by Christian Samson, had a clear goal with the 4: “to shrink the car, to make it feel lighter,” and to achieve a genuine 300-mile range. From the driver’s seat, it’s clear they’ve accomplished their mission. The Polestar 4 genuinely feels agile and lighter than its weight suggests, dancing through turns with an unexpected grace. And with its robust battery and efficient powertrain, that 300-mile range is a reality, not just a theoretical figure. This is, without question, a very well-engineered and exceptionally quiet SUV, making every journey a refined and engaging experience.
Value Proposition and Strategic Outlook for 2025
The Polestar 4 arrives in a segment where its pricing, ranging from the upper $50,000s to over $70,000 for fully equipped dual-motor variants, places it squarely in the premium tier. In the context of 2025’s competitive EV pricing landscape, this positions it above volume sellers but comfortably below ultra-luxury marques, challenging consumers to recognize its inherent value. Is it an expensive proposition? Yes, but the cost is justified by the advanced technology, stellar performance, luxurious appointments, and the sheer engineering prowess embedded in every aspect of the vehicle. The test drives, as Polestar correctly anticipates, will indeed make the sale, as the tangible quality and driving experience speak volumes.
Polestar’s strategic manufacturing decisions also offer a glimpse into the complex global automotive economy of 2025. While initially built in Hangzhou Bay, China, production of the Polestar 4 has expanded to Busan, South Korea, this year. This move is largely tariff-related, capitalizing on South Korea’s more favorable 15% tariff rate, a dynamic that profoundly impacts electric vehicle tariffs and ultimately, consumer pricing. This global flexibility underscores Polestar’s agility in navigating geopolitical trade landscapes, aiming to optimize costs and supply chains.
Looking further ahead, Polestar’s commitment to being a battery electric-only brand remains unwavering. Despite exploring plug-in hybrids, the company has firmly rejected the concept, doubling down on pure electrification. This focus is consistent with their vision for a zero-emission future. The brand continues its aggressive expansion, now present in 28 markets globally, reporting robust sales growth in the first three quarters of 2025, a testament to their brand appeal and product strength.
The Polestar 4 is also just one piece of a much larger, ambitious puzzle of future EV models. The Polestar 5, a sleek four-door electric GT sedan based on the stunning Precept concept, is slated for a European launch later this year, promising another dose of high-performance luxury. Beyond that lies the Polestar 6, a two-seat open “sports car for the era of electrification,” a tantalizing glimpse into Polestar’s ultimate performance aspirations. Further out, the Polestar 7, a two-row SUV due around 2028, is designed to be smaller and more accessible than the Polestar 3, though not a replacement for the 2. Significantly, the 7 is planned for production in Europe, at a Volvo plant in Slovakia, highlighting Polestar’s global manufacturing footprint and strategic tariff considerations that will continue to evolve through the decade.
Embrace the Future of Driving
The Polestar 4 represents more than just a new car; it’s a statement about the future of automotive design and engineering. In 2025, as the EV market trends continue to accelerate, Polestar has delivered a vehicle that is not only strikingly innovative but also deeply satisfying to drive and own. Its blend of daring design, electrifying performance, luxurious and sustainable interior, and advanced technology makes it a formidable contender in the best electric SUVs 2025 discussion.
For those ready to experience the vanguard of electric mobility, to drive a vehicle that challenges perceptions and delivers an uncompromised experience, the Polestar 4 awaits. Don’t just read about the future; seize the wheel and drive it.
We invite you to discover the Polestar 4 for yourself. Visit your nearest Polestar Space or explore the full details on our website to schedule your personal test drive and embark on your electric journey today.
