The Polestar 4 has been around since 2023, garnering both praise and criticism along the way. Its most distinctive feature seems to also be the most polarizing, and we are, of course, talking about its complete lack of a rear window. The electric crossover uses a rearview camera instead, but not everyone is particularly fond of this unconventional setup. Opinions on its performance are generally positive, though.
Now, Polestar has announced a new version that does away with the unconventional window, delivers extra practicality, and crucially, has been ruined for us by the US government.
The Polestar 4 SUV Answers People’s Prayers
Polestar 4 SUVPolestar
Recently, the company announced its upcoming SUV variant, which will be virtually identical to the standard coupe on a mechanical level. It can be had with a single motor delivering 272 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels, or dual motors with twice as much power (544 hp) and all-wheel drive. You can drive up to 391 miles on a single charge (WLTP), and the model’s clean fastback design makes it stand out among other vehicles in its class.
The most notable difference addresses the public’s distaste for that windowless design, ditching it in favor of a more conventional tailgate and a longer roofline that makes the Polestar 4 look more like a lifted wagon than an SUV. There is now a glass window back there like you’d expect, while the cabin is home to a traditional rearview mirror for you to check what’s going on at six o’clock.
With this new design, the 4 loses its fastback roofline while gaining additional headroom and more cargo capacity at the back. To be exact, we’re looking at around an inch of extra headroom and 59 cubic feet of storage (five more than the coupe) with the rear seats folded. Roof rails make an appearance on the SUV version, too, allowing you to carry about 220 pounds of cargo up there.
Polestar 4 SUVPolestar
Polestar is also introducing camping mode on its newcomer, which keeps certain functions like climate control active when the vehicle is parked. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality turns the 4 SUV into an AC power source for external devices.
How Did The American Government Ruin It?
Polestar was banned from selling its vehicles stateside by the Department of Commerce, citing security concerns over its connected vehicle technology in relation to Chinese ownership under Geely. Polestar’s Swedish sibling, Volvo, however, managed to avoid such a ban despite shared ownership.
But as a result, Americans won’t be getting the 4 SUV or any other Polestar model for the foreseeable future, but places like Europe, the United Kingdom, and Canada are all fair game. As far as pricing goes, UK customers will be paying £54,750 for the single-motor variant and £60,750 for its more powerful sibling. For the European market, prices sit at €57,900 and €65,900, respectively.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters
Polestar 4 SUVPolestar
All in all, the new 4 SUV highlights a very important point. Namely, the fact that Polestar actually listens to its clientele and is willing to take the necessary steps in order to keep buyers happy. Automakers often give the impression that people’s feedback falls on deaf ears, so it’s nice to see a company that pays attention to what its clients have to say.
There’s something to learn here for a lot of other manufacturers, who seem to value profits and cost-cutting measures far more than people’s opinions. Of course, you can’t please everyone, but it’s probably a good idea to listen when many different people are complaining about the same thing.
The Polestar 4 SUV is priced from EUR 57,900 in Europe (~$67,000). It’s just a shame we’ll never get to buy it.
Source: Polestar
