Issues are about to get critical for Polestar with the upcoming arrival of the Polestar 4.
The mid-sized SUV is arguably the beginning of the primary sport for the fledgling EV model.
Contemporary from a modest however strong begin for the newcomer model within the Australian automobile market, the Chinese language-owned Swedish-based spin-off of Volvo is readying its most essential mannequin, the Polestar 4.
Slotting between the smaller Polestar 2 and bigger Polestar 3, the Polestar 4 is up in opposition to some huge EV targets.
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With 5 seats and a raised physique the Polestar 4 goes up in opposition to a broad vary of electrical SUVs, together with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, BMW iX3, Audi This fall e-Tron, Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X.
There’s one automobile Polestar nominates because the prime competitors for the 4: the Porsche Macan EV.
However as with the Tesla Mannequin Y that’s the high vendor, the Polestar 4 may even must compete in opposition to petrol-powered options within the quest to develop market share.
It is going to additionally in some methods compete with the market main Tesla Mannequin Y.
2024 Polestar 4 value and tools
The Polestar 4 performs within the candy spot of the EV market.
Or, no less than, the only motor rear-drive mannequin does.
Priced from $81,500 it slides in below the luxurious automobile tax threshold ($91,387 for 2024/25), which implies it might probably benefit from the perimeter advantages tax (FBT) exemption that permits salaried workers to avoid wasting 1000’s every year by funding the automobile from their pre-tax earnings.
The Twin Motor mannequin is $93,050 plus on-roads.
For that you simply get a beneficiant unfold of normal tools, together with sensible key entry, adaptive dampers, dual-zone air flow, energy adjustable entrance seats, some funky ambient lighting, 360-degree digicam and a head-up show.
There’s additionally a sizeable 100kWh battery that gives as much as 610km of vary within the Single Motor mannequin and 580km within the Twin Motor.
2024 Polestars 4: What we predict
There’s one huge ticket merchandise lacking right here: a rear windscreen.
In maximising inside house whereas sustaining a modern coupe-inspired silhouette and panoramic glass roof designers pushed the rear roof beam rearward, to the purpose the place there isn’t any room for any rear-facing glass.
As a substitute, there are cameras that challenge a picture onto a factor that appears like a mirror within the standard place within the centre of the automobile.
Activate the indications and it subtly adjusts the field of regard, which is initially off-putting in the best way it sparkles between views. However it permits you to see extra of what you need to see. Who is aware of, possibly that’s one thing Polestar may tweak with an over-the-air software program replace, one other one of many drawcards of the tech-laden cabin.
That rear imaginative and prescient digicam is the beginning of a tech onslaught that revolves across the 15.4-inch central infotainment display screen.
That display screen is powered by Android Automotive, which implies a bunch of Google apps are in-built.
All of it works effectively and the power to separate the display screen – and alter the placement of the break up – is a neat contact that works properly whenever you need to regulate two issues directly; maps and music, for instance.
And regardless of the Android 1s and 0s behind the scenes, it’s welcoming of any telephone, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity additionally included.
Our greatest gripe was with the performance. The display screen often didn’t reply to touches, requiring a number of prods to get the specified consequence. We’re assured that was a glitch with the vehicles we drove and one thing that will likely be sorted.
Anybody who’s pushed a Tesla will discover familiarity with the performance of the display screen. Adjusting the mirrors and steering wheel is completed by means of the display screen, for instance, and it’s the identical whenever you need to open the glovebox. There’s additionally an Animal Mode that mimics the Canine Mode of a Tesla, citing an icon of a canine on the display screen and retaining the air-conditioning cranking when the automobile is parked.
The finishes and a focus to element are additionally high notch with a Scandinavian flavour. It makes for an upmarket cabin.
And it’s inside that’s the actual shock for the Polestar 4, particularly the again seats.
For a mid-sized SUV there’s acres of legroom and the glass roof makes for totally acceptable headroom.
Even taller adults will discover it a snug place to journey. And children will revel within the house.
Positive, the battery within the flooring means it’s barely raised, however the advantages elsewhere completely make up for it.
On the highway, although, the Polestar 4 is a combined bag. Or, no less than, our automobile was.
We spent most of our drive time in a Twin Motor Lengthy Vary with the Efficiency pack. It was a full-fruit machine with huge 22-inch wheels and efficiency suspension in addition to four-piston Brembo brakes with calipers painted within the model’s signature gold hue.
in a straight line it’s a formidable machine, the 400kW and 686Nm shifting the nuggety physique with little fuss. With claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of three.8 seconds it’s the quickest Polestar thus far (simply) and makes for brisk progress.
There’s at all times ample thrust on supply and the Polestar 4 properly lives as much as its efficiency promise.
However the steering on our automobile lacked precision and really feel, detracting from the excessive ranges of grip. It was additionally lower than spectacular in the best way it managed the suspension.
Polestar says it’s as a result of the vehicles we drove have been using on dampers reserved for Chinese language market vehicles.
Ours may have higher management apparently, in flip making for a greater all-round drive.
There’s clearly expertise there, one thing on show once we briefly drove the much less highly effective single motor automobile (with one rear motor and 0-100km/h acceleration of seven.1 seconds).
It was a far crisper machine and had extra on-road polish.
So clearly there’s inherent expertise and we look ahead to driving the vehicles with the right suspension spec (the European specification is what we’ll absorb Australia).
2024 Polestar 4: Verdict
Whereas Polestar nominates the Porsche Macan because the 4’s prime goal, it doesn’t have the driving sharpness and finesse to be a real rival.
However it’s much more inexpensive than that automobile and gives a Swedish-inspired counterpunch to the Tesla Mannequin Y that dominates on gross sales.
The Polestar’s clear energy is its tech, consideration to element and cabin structure – and the actual fact it brings one thing recent to the EV celebration.
The rear imaginative and prescient digicam works tremendous and the advantages it brings when it comes to inside house is a logical compromise.
Rating: 3.5/5
2024 Polestar 4 Lengthy Vary Twin MotorPrice: From $93,050 plus on-road costsBasics: EV, 5 seats, 5 doorways, SUV, AWDRange: As much as 580kmBattery capability: 100kWhBattery guarantee: 8 years/160,000kmEnergy consumption: 18.7-21.7kWh/100kmMotors: 1 entrance 200kW/343Nm and 1 rear 200kW/343NmAC charging: 11kW, Kind 2 plugDC charging: 200kW, CCS combo plug0-100km/h: 3.8 seconds