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By Jonathan Crouch

The Polestar 4 brings something different to the premium section of the EV Coupe-SUV market. Jonathan Crouch drives the top Long range Dual motor Performance Pack version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 23

The Polestar 4 claims to be a really creditably dynamic mid-sized EV. Particularly in this top Long range Dual motor Performance Pack form.

Backgroundword count: 88

For this test, we're going to get a bit beyond all the mild controversy surrounding the lack of a rear window in the Polestar 4. And concentrate on how creditable its dynamic aspirations really are. We didn't feel those too keenly in the Long range Single motor version we first tried. But the AWD Long range Dual motor variant seems a more promising prospect with its adaptive suspension. And a Long range Dual motor version fitted with the brand's optional Performance Pack ought to be better still ...

Driving Experienceword count: 367

As the 12 o'clock marker on the steering wheel suggests, this Sino-Swedish maker wants its products to feel 'sporty', which inevitably means a somewhat firm standard of ride. Adaptive suspension is restricted to the Dual motor model - and then enhanced with 'Polestar Engineered chassis tuning' if you pay even more on that top variant for the optional 'Performance Pack' (which also includes bigger Brembo brakes). All of which creates the top model we're focusing on for this review. We're not talking Porsche Macan Electric standards of cornering driveability here - and steering feel is never involving as you'll find on that Zuffenhausen model - but there's no doubt that this Polestar hides its prodigious 2,230kg kerb weight exceptionally well on twistier roads at speed. With this Dual motor model, adding an extra motor to the front axle boosts total output to 536bhp and nearly doubles pulling power from 343Nm to 686Nm, lowering the 62mph sprint time to just 3.8s, without too much cost to EV range - a still-respectable 367 miles. Maximum speed is limited to a quite un-EV-like 124mph. As for drive impressions, well we'll start with this Polestar's party piece first; you might wonder how you're going to adjust to manoeuvring about a car without a rear window. It actually doesn't take long at all. You won't want to stare at the 8.9-inch digital rear view mirror you get instead for very long, but then you shouldn't be anyway and it works well - with a 121-degree field of view. It can pan left and right when indicating, you can adjust the display's brightness and view to make it look reasonably natural and there's a standard surround view camera system for tight car parks. The brakes feel natural too, which isn't always a given in a segment where rivals often struggle to combine regen force with friction retardation. Two screen-selectable 'One Pedal Drive' brake regen options are offered, 'low' and stronger 'standard', which are all you really need. There are three steering weight options too but Polestar doesn't think you need any fake drivetrain sound effects. Unlike on the rear-driven version, you get drive modes - 'Range' and 'Performance' settings, plus Launch Control too.

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