Polestar 4 review

Here’s an interesting one, because the 4 is supposed to be Polestar’s sportiest offering, and yet the single-motor car feels less keen than the larger 3. Basically it's absolutely as you might expect a large-ish electric SUV to feel, but nothing outstanding.

It feels heavy. But at least that brings good things: a terrific sense of integrity, with no tremors from body or suspension. That also speaks of damping with good high-frequency control. It's very refined, with little wind, suspension or tyre noise. But it doesn't feel engaging.

It has another problem: the springs and anti-roll bars are stiff to make it 'sporty', but the dampers can't keep up, so it feels a little over-bouncy. Still, a very subtle traction control system means it doesn't get ragged.

The dual-motor version is better. Not just because power is actually doubled, but also because the adaptive damping system keeps the body under better control. So you cover the ground with less commotion. A more consistent ride makes it feel more comfortable too. That's on rural British roads.

That said, on smooth main roads, the single-motor RWD one can be a tad more engaging. And it's cheaper of course, and goes slightly further on a battery charge.

The steering has three settings, but the heaviest is best: the lighter ones aren't worse because they're lighter, but because the weight builds up inconsistently as you add lock.

So is this really a fast car?

The dual-motor is undeniably quick. It has 544bhp and makes a sprint time of 3.8 seconds. But there’s more to being a satisfying all-rounder than drag times.

The single motor version is 272bhp at the rear, for a 7.1 second 0-62mph time. Quite a bit less punchy then, even if both have the same top speed of 124mph.

Interestingly, the Performance Pack option doesn’t come with more power and torque as it does in Polestars 2 and 3. Instead you have to option the Plus Pack, and then you can have ‘Polestar Engineered’ chassis tuning (it’s more precise as a base state of tune), specific forged 22-inch wheels with Pirelli P-Zero 265/40 tyres, and the Brembo brake callipers, seat belts and valve caps in ‘Swedish Gold’.

What are the electric stats?

The WLTP range is 385 miles for the single-motor and 367 for the dual. Even if it'll shrink to 300-320 in the real world, that ought to be enough for pretty well anyone.

Charging-wise it’s pretty good as well; 200kW max DC which means half an hour 10-80 per cent on a rapid enough charger. And 22kW three-phase AC means the possibility of a 5.5 hour replenish on some street chargers.

What about the helper systems and tech?

There’s the usual suite of Polestar advanced driver assistance systems, and because these cars have the scent of Volvo all over them, they do seem extra safe in terms of airbags, crash zones and ways to stop the squishy people inside from becoming even squishier.

As for helper systems, adaptive cruise control with lane centring is an option, not standard. It's called Pilot Pack.