7/10 

Polestar, the Swedish EV manufacturer still feels new to the UK market, although the original Polestar 2 launched back in 2020. The brand’s next biggest jump was the launch of the Polestar 3 and the Polestar 4 in Autumn last year. We’ve already driven single motor versions of the Polestar 3, and it’s now time to drive the Long Range Single Motor version, of the Polestar 4. 

Outside, even a year on, the Polestar 4 is a distinctive looker. Highlights include the large split lights, short overhangs, unusual wing mirrors, and distinctive lower cut out down the flanks.

It is a wide car too. Is it too wide for UK roads? This was the question in the forefront of our minds during the week we has this car – more than the lack of the rear screen! The amount of other 4’s now on UK roads that we see would suggest this is not the case. Although, we really appreciated the cameras around this Polestar when driving and manoeuvring. 

Going back to the lack of the rear window, it might not be fitted because the designer wanted a coupe with decent rear headroom, but we found it difficult to rely on the cameras when reversing – as the rear one seemed to mist up quite a bit during the cold week we had this car. In our opinion, from the outside, the Polestar 4’s design doesn’t look too odd, thanks to the large panoramic glass roof that comes back a long way – almost looking itself like a rear window

Move inside and, thanks the Polestar 4’s width, and light from the panoramic roof, passengers and use didn’t miss the screen. Add in the clever relaxed rear seating position, and despite the curvy roof, unless you’re carrying unusually tall rear passengers, their heads won’t be touching the ceiling. In fact, with its 2,999mm wheelbase and 4.84m overall length, rear legroom isn’t an issue either. 

Polestar might be distancing itself from Volvo, but the brands share the same non-conformist, but high-quality feel – thanks to carefully chosen colours and trims. 

In the front, there are comfortable, one-piece sports seats that grip you well. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is hard to initially operate thanks to its lack of lettering – but it’s good to hold. The column stalks are also new, but borrowed from the Volvo EX30, with a thin portrait screen in front of the driver. 

The Polestar 4’s infotainment is more unusual, as unlike the previous slim, vertical screen, this 4 has a large 15.4in horizontal screen. There are lots of tiles, making it harder to operate at a glance. However, when you get the hand of how it works (which we were doing just before it went back to Polestar!) it’s fine - although we maintain the infotainment systems fitted in the Polestar 2 and 3 are easier to operate. 

Built on Geeley’s SEA platform that’s shared with other models, including the Volvo EX30. In the Polestar 4’s case, there’s a 100kWh battery pack, 400-volt architecture, and it can be fast charged up to 200kW.  In Long Range Single Motor form, we have here, this means 268hp, 343Nm of torque, acceleration to 62mph in 6.9 seconds, and most importantly an official range of over 358 miles. 

On the road, the lack of a rear-view mirror was only noticed when the rear camera was misted. This resulted in cloudy images in the digital rear-view mirror, making manoeuvres sometimes difficult. 

Next up is the steering, which has good weight and is responsive – even if it lacks some feel. Our car was fitted with 20 in wheels with no special suspension, it felt less stiff than the car we drove on the launch yet still struck a good balance between comfort and dynamism. With almost 300hp it’s plenty quick enough, too. Although at UK limits, in the mid setting, this ‘4’ felt at its most precise, and natural. Good enough to have fun on country roads.

In Long Range Single Motor form, with modest wheels, is the best Polestar 4 combination in our opinion, although rivals such as the Audi Q6 E-Tron offer more practicality and refinement. Although, the Polestar is good to drive. 

• Positive: Unusual and attractive exterior and interior design, interior space, keen performance, a good drive

• Negative: Width, lack of rear window causes some manoeuvring issues, still expensive, reliance on infotainment, small boot 

Engines: Electric: 268hp, 536hp

Equipment grades: Long Range Single Motor, Long Range Dual Motor

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Polestar 4 Long range Single motor  200kW
P11D: £60,000
Residual value:  43%
Depreciation:  £34,253