Polestar 4 arrives in Australia

By the time you settle into the plush, cocoon-like interior of the new Polestar 4, you’ll notice something missing — there’s no rear window. I know, it’s hard to imagine a car without one, right? But this is no gimmick. Polestar’s design team in Sweden says that removing the rear window allowed them to push the boundaries of conventional car design. Instead, there’s a rear-mounted camera that streams live footage of what’s happening behind you to a high-definition screen, positioned where the interior rear-view mirror would typically be. The full-length glass roof now stretches all the way to the rear, giving passengers in the back a panoramic view of everything above, but nothing behind. And there’s more room in the back, making its C-shaped cabin feel more like a plush lounge than an actual car. Dubbed an “SUV coupe”, which sounds like an identity crisis on wheels, the Polestar 4’s design somehow works, balancing the sportiness of a coupe with the functionality of an SUV, and therefore earning its place in this new category for all-electric vehicles. Starting from $78,500 for the long-range single motor option and from $88,350 for the long-range dual motor, the Polestar 4 strategically comes in below Australia’s $91,000 luxury car tax threshold, making it an appealing choice for EV buyers seeking both sophistication and value. Speaking with West Wheels, Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says he expects the Polestar 4 will become a strong contender in the Australian market thanks to its sleek design, cutting-edge technology and competitive pricing. When it comes to its main competitors in the Australian market, Mr Maynard says the Polestar 4 will go head-to-head with BMW’s iX and Audi’s Q8 e-tron, while also showing potential to rival Tesla in terms of sales volume. Regarding the bold and somewhat polarising design choice to remove the rear window, Mr Maynard says there are several advantages that come with this innovative and forward-looking decision. “Because this car was designed from the ground up without a rear window in mind, our engineers had far more freedom in making design and structural decisions that would otherwise be constrained by traditional design considerations,” he says. “It also meant we could reposition some of the infrastructure that typically supports the rear of the car, further back for enhanced safety, without worrying about obstructing the view through the cabin.” The verdict Behind the wheel of Polestar 4’s long-range dual-motor option, kitted out with the top-tier performance pack, I’m impressed by how smoothly it handles and how fast it is. This particular model can get to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, making it the quickest Polestar to date. But speed and handling aren’t the only thing the car has going for it. The Polestar 4 also has the lowest carbon footprint of any Polestar, and its upholstered materials are akin to something you’d expect to find in a Patagonia catalogue: recycled PET knit fabrics, bio-vinyl and Econyl carpets made from reclaimed fishing nets. Now, let’s talk tech. The 15.4-inch infotainment screen, running Android Automotive OS, dominates the dashboard and puts everything at your fingertips. Google Maps and Google Assistant are also built-in, with wireless Apple CarPlay available for seamless integration. In fact, I pull over at a Barossa Valley lookout to play around with the Polestar 4’s tech. “Hey Google, direct me to the Margaret River wine region in Western Australia?” I ask the built-in Google Assist, curious to see how it handles a cross-country journey. The car doesn’t flinch. The infotainment screen lights up with the quickest route spanning 2,816km and one day, six hours of driving. It also informs me I wouldn’t make it there without more charging stations en route . . . a humbling moment, though arguably not the car’s fault for being honest. But back to the elephant not in the room — the missing rear window. Polestar’s designers insist it’s more than just a bold design choice — it’s a safety upgrade. The camera provides a wider, sharper view than any traditional mirror, and you can switch it off to check on the kids when things go suspiciously quiet in the back, or to see if you have food stuck in your teeth. Is it a polarising design choice? Definitely. Does it occasionally feel like driving with a blind spot? Yes. Will it take some getting used to? Without a doubt. The Polestar 4 is not without its quirks. Its high-tech focus might deter those who prefer a more mechanical driving experience. While the sustainable materials and minimalist design are stylish, this car seems tailored for detail-oriented drivers seeking an EV that’s fun to drive and distinctly not a Tesla. POLESTAR 4 PRICING Long-range single motor: $78,500 Long-range dual motor: $88,350 Pilot Pack: Standard Plus Pack: $8000 Pro Pack: $2500 Performance Pack (dual-motor only): $7200 Penny Thomas was a guest of Polestar Australia. They have not influenced or read this story before publication.