Almost two-thirds of Polestar cars were purchased by private customers last year, compared with business or leased registrations, writes Brian Byrne. That's a change from under half of such sales in 2024, and probably due to the availability of the Polestar 4 I've been driving, which, for 2025, was the electric-only brand's top seller. The Volvo spinoff brand is not a major seller here yet, but in the first month of 2026, they've already sold half as many as they did in all of last year.
The niche it operates in is the performance premium segment. The best-known competitors are the electric models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, with Porsche being a target for the upcoming Polestar 5. That the medium SUV 4 shifted sales from the hatchback 2, which was the main seller—and for a while the only model—reflects the kind of buyer now coming through the Polestar showroom. People with their own money and a taste for the different.
When you get the lines right on a car, it minimises the need for adornment. There's almost no chrome on the Polestar 4, aside from a small piece on the lower front end. There's a very clean symmetry in the bonnet line and a slim lights design. The profile is lean and lithe, with the roofline curving into a coupe over the rear, featuring a high boot area. That last is made possible by the absence of a rear window, with vision provided by a camera to a digital rear-view 'mirror' inside. Polestar say this has allowed a more comfortable space for rear passengers.
The interior styling retains the clean, crisp theme, with an immediate sense of quality that offsets what might otherwise seem almost spartan. The dashboard area is dominated by a large screen for infotainment and navigation. It is also, somewhat unfortunately, used for all climate management, although these are always visible at the bottom of the screen and easy to manage. The sections and graphics are big throughout, which makes it better than many of the other screens coming in Chinese cars. (Polestar is headquartered in Torslanda in Sweden, but the ownership is mainly Chinese, with production in China and South Korea.) Among the apps is a recording facility that operates as a dashcam. There's a separate driving screen that provides essential information in a clear, uncluttered format. A large volume control on the minimalist centre console looks rather lonely. Underneath that 'flying' console is a good space for holding a personal bag.
The front and rear seats are supportive and very comfortable—the car is wider than its competitors, and the extra space is noticeable. At the back, there are separate entertainment, climate, and seat-heating controls, and the centre armrest folds down to operate the electric reclining seat controls. The roof is a full-length glass panel that can quickly transition from transparent to opaque to reflect light and reduce glare. Book capacity is a large-swallow 541L.
The Polestar 4 is available in two powertrain versions: a RWD single-motor and an AWD dual-motor, delivering 272 hp and 544 hp, respectively, each offering appropriate performance. My review car was the former, and it was more than enough for most drivers' needs, with 7.1 seconds to 100km/h. During my time with the car, I enjoyed the quiet, with road and wind noise almost entirely absent. I'm used to quiet EVs, but the Polestar 4 seems to have taken this a notch higher.
The car is only available in Ireland with the Long Range specification, which, in my review model, has a rated range target of 620km. My experience suggests this figure is reasonably attainable, though the usual caveat about driving style and road conditions applies.
The Polestar 4 is a 2.2-tonne car, but with the suspension and overall setup, it didn't feel anything like that, even over rougher road surfaces. Whatever your style or driving preference, it should prove to be a smooth operator. That's what it was for me.
PRICE: From €56,490. WHAT I LIKED: The smooth, premium, sporty experience.
