2026 POLESTAR 4 FIRST DRIVE REVIEW: GOOGLE AI, 544 HP, AND CONFIDENT DESIGN

The refreshed 2026 Polestar 4 doesn't need to be another attention-grabbing EV full of gimmicks. Instead, it’s confident enough to let the details do the talking. This fully electric performance coupe-SUV pairs up to 544 horsepower, dual-motor all-wheel drive, and a 3.7-second 0–60 mph launch with a minimalist design that literally redefines how you see the road: by removing the rear window entirely. In its place sits a roof-mounted high-definition camera that feeds a live view to the digital mirror, improving visibility while freeing up space and style. This is definitely a "don't knock it till you try it" situation. It even debuts Google’s new Live Lane Guidance, a clever bit of AI that literally shows you which lane to be in before you miss the exit.

As the model aiming to becomePolestar’s volume leader in the U.S. and Canada, the 4 takes everything the brand has learned from the 2 and 3 and distills it into something leaner, smarter, and more approachable. After spending some time behind the wheel of the 4 last week in Austin, Texas, I can confirm: it's good. Very good.

The 2026 Polestar 4 Has All The Power You Need

The Polestar 4 might be the brand’s most important car yet, and it leads with power. The dual-motor version delivers 544 horsepower and hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, while the single-motor rear-drive setup makes 272 horsepower and still gets there in under seven. If you thrive on those numbers, the Dual Motor might be the move. If you are bopping around town and don't need the extra (very fun) power, the slightly longer range and 244 horsepower should serve you well.

Head of product attributes Christian Samson summed up the tuning philosophy perfectly: “We always try to make the car feel lighter than the specs show.” That’s exactly what the 4 achieves: grippy and confident without being stiff, composed on the highway but eager when you start pushing.

Everything about it feels precise. In fact, when asked to describe the Polestar 4 in one word, I chose "refined." The battery pack sits low, giving it a flat, balanced feel through corners. With active dampers on the dual-motor and a near-perfect 50/50 weight split, it handled bumpy, under-construction Texas roads with ease.

Our test vehicle for the day was a Dual Motor with a few upgrades. While the Single Motor starts at $56,400, The Dual Motor starts at $62,900 and comes fairly well equipped. Ours came with a few upgrades, which are as follows:

• 21-inch Sport 4 V-Spoke Forged Wheels: $1,800
• Pilot: $0
• Plus: $5,500
• Destination: $1,400
• Total: $71,600

Tech That Feels Natural, Not Overwhelming

The Polestar 4’s infotainment setup finally nails the balance between simplicity and smarts. The 15.4-inch center screen runs Android Automotive OS, the 10.2-inch driver display keeps essentials front and center, and everything is customizable.

UX director Amil Gasanin said, “We don’t do any scrolling. You see everything on one page, with one glance, and it’s super clear what is on and off.” He’s right. The interface feels quick, minimal, and clean. One thing that I loved about the interface is the grid system. All the graphics and menus are placed on a grid system, so nothing is out of line on the page: everything is aligned to an invisible grid.

You can drag widgets where you want them, resize the map view, and even set up shortcuts for things like camera view, climate, or charging. There’s full-screen Apple CarPlay, a new live lane-guidance system debuting here (more on that below), and little details like Pet Mode and Car Wash Mode that make everyday use easier.

Polestar announced that the 4 will be the first car in the world to debut Google’s new Live Lane Guidance system, integrated directly into its Android Automotive OS interface. The feature uses the car’s front-facing cameras and Google’s mapping data to display real-time lane highlights directly in the navigation view. As Amil put it, “Navigation just got easier. You can literally see the correct lane highlighted in front of you. It feels intuitive, not intrusive.” Our vehicles weren't equipped with Live Lane Guidance yet, but it sounds like a step in the right direction as far as navigation goes.

The Rear Window Delete That Makes Sense (I Promise)

The Polestar 4’s most talked-about design move, deleting the rear window, actually improves the car. A roof-mounted HD camera feeds the digital mirror, giving you a wider, cleaner view than any piece of glass ever could. I was skeptical. I've driven plenty of cars with digital rearviews before, but you could always see out the back window.

Vehicle program lead Ola Aldensjö explained, “The roof is the cleanest area of the car. By moving the camera there, we gain headroom, improve visibility, and achieve the profile we wanted.” That decision freed designers to lower the roofline for a sleeker stance and opened up more space for second-row passengers.

The result is a shape that looks futuristic without really drawing attention to it. You probably wouldn't even notice it at first. However, the new rearview camera features a high-resolution display with a 1480 x 320-pixel resolution and provides a much wider view of what's behind the car. I could see all four lanes of traffic behind the vehicle, and even who was driving. If you want to look into the back seat to see what the kids are doing, you can toggle to that regular view like you would with any other rearview.

A Cabin That Feels Smart, Not Overdesigned

I've always been a fan of the way Polestar approaches interiors. Sustainability came up multiple times during the trip, but it wasn't one of those buzzwords we just noted and moved on from. The Tailor-Knit 3D textile upholstery is made from up to 92 percent recycled yarn and knitted to shape, meaning no leftover material waste. It feels premium and purposeful, something that was integrated into the design process from the start.

Aldensjö described it simply: “We didn’t want it to be super-classic or heavy. It should feel technical but soft.” That sums up the entire interior. It's clean, modern, and more human than tech-obsessed. Rear passengers get reclinable seats, a dedicated touchscreen for media and climate, and a huge panoramic glass roof that floods the cabin with light. Even though the 4 is a coupe-SUV, the small changes inside the cabin have created a spacious passenger area. The back seats have an incredible amount of headroom, and you don't miss the back window at all. Not that having a back window is much of a feature for passengers.

A Confident Step Into Polestar’s Future

The Polestar 4 shows that innovation doesn’t have to rely on gimmicks. It can quietly make everything better. Between the dual-motor performance, the confidence of that camera-based mirror, and the thoughtful new Google Live Lane Guidance system, it feels like a car designed by people who actually drive.

More than anything, this is Polestar’s turning point. The company’s gone from a niche performance sub-brand to a true electric luxury contender, with the 4 positioned to lead that charge in both the U.S. and Canada. As Dean Shaw put it during the launch, “We’re going from a one-car brand to a multi-car brand. Polestar 4 is the start of that volume story.” It’s not just the fastest Polestar yet, it’s the most confident too. The one that redefines what a modern EV should feel like: simple, elegant, and quietly ahead of everyone else. The updated 4 should arrive at dealerships sometime in early December.

2025-11-05T01:04:58Z