The 2026 Polestar 4 Is a Quirky SUV-Coupe From the Future

TL;DR

The 2026 Polestar 4 is a minimalist, no-rear-window EV that blurs sedan, coupe, and SUV categories with futuristic tech and quirky design choices.

Key Points

• 1.The Polestar 4 has no rear window whatsoever. Instead of a traditional glass rear window, it uses a rearview mirror camera system, which also allowed engineers to stretch the interior and maximize passenger space by pulling the wheels to all four corners.
• 2.Polestar's naming convention is counterintuitive and quirky. Models are numbered by release order, not size or price — the Polestar 4 is actually smaller and cheaper than the Polestar 3, starting at $58,000 for RWD (275 hp, 310-mile range) and $64,000 for the dual-motor AWD (535 hp, 0–60 in 3.5 seconds).
• 3.The exterior design emphasizes minimalism with a few deliberate oddities. These include a buttonless square key fob that auto-unlocks doors, one-piece adjustable mirror housings, gold brake calipers and valve stem caps as Polestar's signature accent, and tiny 'Polestar' text hidden inside the headlights and tail lights.
• 4.The interior is beautifully minimalist but trades convenience for aesthetics. Climate vents are hidden and controlled via the giant touchscreen; planet-named ambiance modes (e.g., Neptune) change interior lighting color; gold seatbelts carry the brand's signature color inside; and the rear seat screen lets passengers control climate, audio, and reading lights independently.
• 5.The rear seats are surprisingly spacious and China-market optimized. Despite the sloping roofline and no rear window, there's generous leg and headroom, power-adjustable seatbacks, lighted USB-C ports, and a rear touchscreen — features likely designed for the Chinese market where rear-seat riding is common.
• 6.The cargo areas are a weak point. The rear cargo hold is average for the segment with no seat-folding lever from the trunk and only a 12V power port (no household outlet), while the front trunk is tiny — a small center cavity despite the large hood surface.
• 7.The driving experience is impressive but the car faces tough market realities. The dual-motor version handles sharply and is very quiet, though the ride is slightly harsh for its $81,000 tested price; it scores 64/100 on the Doug Score, beating the Polestar 3 and Audi SQ6 but trailing the Macan EV and BMW iX in driving fun, with EV market softness and Polestar's niche brand image posing sales challenges.