Skip to main content

2025 Polestar 4 Up Close: New ‘SUV Coupe’ Looks (Only) Ahead

polestar 4 2025 01 exterior front angle scaled jpg 2025 Polestar 4 | Cars.com photo by Melissa Klauda Winterland

Polestar continues to grow its lineup with the upcoming 3 luxury SUV and this, the 4, which Polestar calls a “performance SUV coupe.” We recently had the chance to get an up-close look at the all-electric 4, and while many of its design elements are similar to what you see on other Polestar models, its lack of a rear window is a departure from most everything else on the road.

Related: 2025 Polestar 4 Debuts With Up to 544 HP, No Rear Window

Sleek Looks Outside

The 4’s relatively low ride height gives it a hot hatch look, but these days most everything with an open cargo area is called an SUV — especially, it seems, when it comes to EVs. Just look at the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5 for two electric SUVs with carlike ride heights.

That doesn’t mean the 4 isn’t a handsome-looking EV. It has the same classy, sharp-but-understated look of other Polestar models, and the front end features an evolution of the brand face with bisected headlights and a large lower opening instead of the more traditional grille design that’s on the Polestar 2 passenger car.

Related Video:

The 4’s most unusual feature — the solid panel where the rear glass would normally be — is more subtle than you might think and is easily overlooked in passing. Rear visibility is instead provided by a rearview camera mirror — a feature increasingly available on models that still have rear windows — that uses a roof-mounted camera to show the driver what’s behind the vehicle.

Even with a low, sloping roofline, the Polestar 4 has a decent amount of cargo space. The cargo area is relatively deep, and a dual-level cargo floor lets you add some height to the cargo space. A small front trunk under the hood gives you some additional luggage space, but just a bit more; the 4’s frunk is smaller than the ones in the Tesla Model Y and Mustang Mach-E.

polestar 4 2025 05 interior frunk scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 02 exterior front scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 07 exterior profile scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 04 exterior headlight scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 08 exterior rear angle scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 12 exterior wheel scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 11 exterior rear scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 09 exterior rear camera scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 05 interior frunk scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 02 exterior front scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 07 exterior profile scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 04 exterior headlight scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 08 exterior rear angle scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 12 exterior wheel scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 11 exterior rear scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 09 exterior rear camera scaled jpg

Relatively Roomy Interior

For a low-slung SUV, the 4 has decent front headroom, and the standard glass roof deserves some credit for that. The driving position is comfortable overall, and the seats of the model we saw were finished in an available woven fabric that has an upscale appearance. The driver faces a slim digital instrument panel that looks a little like a phone that’s been tipped on its side, and next to it in the center of the dash is a large 15.4-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system runs Google Built-In, but some of its features, like the on-screen controls for the air vents, are similar to what you’ll find in a Tesla.

The front bucket seats are separated by a center console that has familiar elements like cupholders, but there’s also an open storage area below for larger items. It’s a good use of the EV’s available interior space.

polestar 4 2025 28 interior door scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 24 interior center stack display scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 26 interior rear visibility scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 32 interior backseat scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 35 interior cargo scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 30 interior door audio scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 29 interior door controls scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 25 interior dashboard scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 22 interior instrument panel scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 13 interior front row scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 16 interior front row seat scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 19 interior front row scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 15 interior front row scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 28 interior door scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 24 interior center stack display scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 26 interior rear visibility scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 32 interior backseat scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 35 interior cargo scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 30 interior door audio scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 29 interior door controls scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 25 interior dashboard scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 22 interior instrument panel scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 13 interior front row scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 16 interior front row seat scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 19 interior front row scaled jpg polestar 4 2025 15 interior front row scaled jpg

The backseat is quite accommodating for taller passengers, as the glass roof aids rear-seat headroom just like it does in front. Decent visibility out the side windows helps keep any feelings of claustrophobia at bay, but the seat cushion is close to the floor, resulting in a knees-up seating position that doesn’t offer much thigh support.

More From Cars.com:

Specs, Pricing and On-Sale Time Frame

With 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.8 seconds for the 544-horsepower all-wheel-drive version, according to Polestar, the Polestar 4 offers a level of performance to back up its sporty looks. (However, Polestar says the rear-wheel-drive model is considerably slower to 62 mph, taking 7.4 seconds.) We’re looking forward to driving it to see whether the lack of a rear window is all that jarring, and you’ll be able to see what it’s like for yourself later in 2024 when the 4 goes on sale at a starting price of $56,300.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Mike Hanley
Mike Hanley has more than 20 years of experience reporting on the auto industry. His primary focus is new vehicles, and he's currently a Senior Road Test Editor overseeing expert car reviews and comparison tests. He previously managed Editorial content in the Cars.com Research section.
Email Mike Hanley

Featured stories

202501 tariffs scaled jpg
vinfast vf 9 2024 01 exterior front angle jpg
ram hd 2025 01 exterior front angle jpg