Don’t Look Back In Anger: Test Driving The Polestar 4

Motoring editor Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby wrap up for a weekend adventure in the land of the Vikings, driving the new Polestar 4:  the first car with a camera system instead of a rear screen.

Test Drive: Polestar 4

J-TP – I’m very glad I took my warmest coat to Denmark. Britain has been whipped by one storm after another this winter, but a Baltic blast makes the eyes water.

JT – The Danes are a hardy bunch. Must be their Viking ancestors. They also love riding bicycles whatever the season. Madness!

Copenhagen is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. It’s definitely not designed for cars, and that may be why we didn’t experience road rage.

Or because Copenhageners are so laid-back and chilled – they’re incredibly friendly and always happy to help. I think they liked our Polestar 4, too – it’s so new in Denmark that a lot of people stopped to take a look.

And like the Scandinavians, the all-electric 4 has a relaxed vibe. The interior is minimalist and chic, a trademark of the brand. All the driver has are two portrait screens, with the large centre unit controlling many of the functions.

Possibly too many functions! There’s an over-reliance on the tech in the Polestar when a few more physical buttons would make the 4 a more user-friendly experience. 

Adjustment of the door mirrors and steering column is made via fiddly buttons on the steering wheel. Even when you’re familiar with the system, it’s just over-complicated.

Sometimes there’s no need to reinvent the wheel! Designer Max Missoni did a great job of the cabin, then went too far with the simple stuff. Frustrating.

Shall we talk about the rear screen, then – or lack of it?

OK. As Mr Missoni wanted the Polestar 4 to have a low-profile roof and still allow for rear passenger headroom, the rear screen was dispensed with in favour of a camera system that sends wide-angle imagery to the driver’s rear-view mirror.

It sounds ingeniously simple, doesn’t it? Except in some situations, like pulling out a road junction with an acute angle, the driver has to look in the rear-view mirror and then re-focus over the shoulder in rapid succession.

Tricky. Polestar says people get used to it, but I beg to differ. It’s a total pain. Fortunately, the rest of the Polestar 4 is rather good. The dual motor version is fast and has a real-world range of around 300 miles.

The seats are super comfortable too and, with a full-length glass roof, the 4 cabin feels light and spacious. Which it is – except if you are a dog owner.

Why’s that?

Because the boot is enclosed and your pooch will likely not like it. You can supposedly drop the rear divider to keep hounds happy, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Great value from around £59,000?

Beautifully crafted, stylish and cool by design, the Polestar 4 is only hampered by the lack of a rear-screen and an overcomplicated user interface upfront. Get over those facts, and it might be the stylish coupe-SUV you’ve been waiting for.

EXPLORE

Discover more about the Polestar 4 at polestar.com

Plan your own Denmark adventure at visitdenmark.com

Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, studying for a PhD in sustainable e-textile design.

Return flights from London to Copenhagen emit 402.3kg CO2e. ecollectivecarbon.com