Since the launch of its Polestar 2 sedan in 2021, Swedish EV company Polestar has launched two additional models: the spacious 3 compact crossover SUV, and now the 4, a sporty, even more compact crossover SUV. The 4 slotting between 2 and 3 in size may confuse some users, but one feature – or lack thereof – may confuse them even more. It does not have a rear windshield.
Starting at $57,800, the 2026 Polestar 4 may have some mildly mind-boggling attributes, but I found it to be the most compelling and fun-to-drive EV this year. It took a little getting used to.
It took a little getting used to.
Its main features are its minimal and very Swedish exterior design. The 4’s muscular figure, unique headlights, and interesting body lines give it a solid presence. But the real elephant in the room is no glass on the rear hatch, which no doubt makes it stick to the road. The reasoning is pretty straightforward, though: It’s the only way the Polestar can give a compact crossover SUV such a sleek figure without sacrificing rear-seat passenger headroom or legroom.
Mission Complete ; My tall Linky fits surprisingly well with the seat back, and cargo volume is a respectable 19 cubic feet, with a high floor for easy loading and unloading that expands to 54 with the rear seats folded down. Front, head, leg and shoulder room was excellent.
When it comes to tech and content, there’s a 15.4-inch center touchscreen laid out horizontally, a 10.2-inch digital gauge display, and a single physical knob in the center console to hit play/pause and volume controls. It might sound counterintuitive, but his Swedish ministry is really on full blast. Additionally, the quality of the materials is solid, with plenty of hard-feeling surfaces, negligible use of metal, and a large percentage of the surfaces in two types of plush, synthetic materials. Finally, the infotainment software was logically laid out and easy to get used to, and our solar system-based sports custom lighting themes – this could be a subtle ploy to convert Tesla Model Y owners.
The Polestar 4 comes in two drivetrain configurations: single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive (text at an additional $6,500 for this setup), the former putting out 272 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, while the latter generates 544 and 506, and 506, 0-60, and 0-60. The only battery available is a 400-volt lithium-ion pack with 100 kW of usable capacity, and will charge DC fast up to 200 kW. Range for the single motor reaches 310 miles, while the dual motor tops out at 280.
In standard dual-motor form, the 4’s ride quality was comfortable and the steering well-weighted, though chassis response felt too sluggish for something marketed as a performance-oriented crossover. However, thrown in the Polestar’s 4,500 Performance Pack, which adds performance-oriented chassis tuning, Pirelli summer tires, and massive Brembo brake calipers, every input is nicely accelerated and there’s no sacrifice to ride quality.
Finally, the head-scratcher of the Polestar 4’s driving experience: the lack of a rear window. Normally, I’m not a fan of rear-facing cameras feeding into the screen in the rearview mirror, but the 4 wasn’t too bad. The camera shifts slightly left or right with a corresponding turn signal swipe, and the side-view mirrors do a good job of minimizing blind spots.
Still, it felt weird to look over your right shoulder before changing lanes and see, well, nothing. And while Polestar officials were particularly proud of the rear camera’s low-light resolution and performance in wet/wintry conditions, customers’ mileage may vary depending on how snowy and snowy their climate is.
Overall, the 2026 Polyester 4 is a unique and compelling luxury EV compact crossover with enough fun-to-drive panache to inspire driving excitement from anyone. But in light of the federal government ending the EV tax credit, is this the perfect time to debut a more niche, sporty EV crossover?
I asked Dan Shaw, director of PR and communications for Polestar North America, what the company’s plans are. “We liken it to the December sales push. Sales slow down after that in January, but then they slowly pick up again,” he said. “We expect a complete reset this month, but then we expect sales to pick up.”
He also pointed out that there are very few EV-only car brands. In light of other automakers backing their EV plans, he sees this as an opportunity for Polestar to really secure its place in the market. 4 With a sporty drive personality, a heavy focus on design, and intuitive features, they can stand up to anything. Even if there is no glass behind the rear seats.
Photography by Peter Nelson
