Out for the day with the Polestar 4This luxe EV is filled with luxury and delightful surprises. But there's one drawback; is it enough to keep this half-price luxury car off your wish list?The news made me sad: Polestar, the luxury electric arm of Volvo, will cease being sold in the US. Though Polestar is headquartered in Sweden, where it's designed and engineered, and though the car itself is assembled in Korea, most of its components are are made in China under the supervision of its ownership, Geely Holding Group. And that, for now, is a deal-breaker; no longer can it be sold in the US. Hopefully that will change in the future but for now, Polestar is ending sales, including the new Polestar 4.However, as with any dark cloud, there's a silver lining: there are about 200 Polestar 4 models still sitting on dealers lots waiting to be sold. To close this chapter quickly, Polestar is offering up to $25,000 off the top, and, when paired with other incentives such as state tax breaks or utility company rebates, the price could go to nearly half of its $70,000-ish MSRP. The same discounts apply to the Polestar 3 5-passenger SUV, though there are fewer of those on dealers lots right now.AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter driving the Polestar 4 I'm thinking about how owning this clever, minimalist luxury car might change my life. There are caveats, but for a half price luxury car? Those are easy to overlook.Watch: Take a tour of the Polestar 4 with us!This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.What Makes the Polestar 4 So Special?The front cabin in the 2026 Polestar 4; the screen can be set to show the universe wtih a Polestar occasionally streaking across the screen – Credit: Scotty ReissWhat began as Volvo's performance arm, Polestar pivoted to EV production a decade ago when it became apparent that's where the car world was headed. While that may seem ironic given the dip in demand for EVs—though it's on the rebound—Polestar has been growing globally with healthy sales and proven popularity. The company's parent, Geely, produces a full range of cars that are sold around the world. Volvo and Polestar were a natural addition to the Geely family, giving the company a fast-track to luxury cars, world class design and a sales network in major markets around the world. In last decade the Polestar brand has evolved from a Volvo-like lineup with performance specs into a brand with its own rich character. While it does share Volvo's DNA, as well as some features and components, the Polestar brand leans in even more on the luxury approach: a minimalist design inside and out, a stellar electric powertrain designed to perform quite well in winter (this is a Swedish car, after all), a decent EV range of up to 310 miles and of course, powerful performance. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Polestar 4 is the latest model to hit the US, and for a while at least, the last. A 4-door coupe-style sedan, the Polestar 4 is luxury-filled even in its entry-level single motor rear wheel drive model. And with its original selling price of about $56K to about $70K, it was already a pretty good deal for a luxury car. Now, it's an incredible deal, if you can get over one semi-smallish thing, that is.Read: Polestar 3 First Drive: Luxury Means Never Having to Apologize for PowerThe One Drawback—Really, the Only OneThe rear tail light bar and windowless hatch on the 2026 Polestar 4 – Credit: Scotty ReissSo let's assume you're not on the fence about buying an EV; you can charge easily at home or at work, you like the EV drive experience and you are a fan of minimalist luxury design. If you like smart technology, using your phone as a key and being able to lock and unlock, set up your navigation and heat (or cool) the car before you get in, this car you should be on your list. And if you are a fan of one-pedal driving, silent zoom-away performance and a sleekly designed hatchback style car, you'll like the Polestar 4.The one thing missing? A rear window.Polestar's designers have been on a journey of defining the individual personality and design language of its lineup. With the 4, they devised a sleek hatchback design with wide-set wheels, iconic signature headlights and tail lights and a metal panel where the rear window would usually go. AdvertisementAdvertisementA rear window is not really necessary, as it happens. With the sloped roofline and wide rear pillars, visibility for the driver would be minimal at best. Cameras and mirrors offer a better view around the car for backing up, merging and changing lanes. So, the thinking went, it can be replaced by a much lighter metal panel, saving weight and cost. Read: Our Absolute Favorites: The Best EVs and PHEV SUVs Go the Distance In Modern StyleIs a Rear Window Really Necessary? The wide and roomy rear seat in the 2026 Polestar 4 – Credit: Scotty ReissAfter spending much of a day in the rear seat of the Polestar 4 as a passenger I didn't miss the rear window. An ambient light strip in the rear seat offered subtle light allowing me to sense light behind me as I would if there was a window. But as a driver, I missed it. I became more reliant on my mirrors and the surround view camera, as well as the video rear view mirror camera, which was not left out of the design. Every time I turned to look over my shoulder to merge or back up I was reminded that there wasn't much to see. I found this a bit unnerving on the highway especially since I rely on both cameras and mirrors as well as my own spidey-sense to ensure it was safe to change lanes; that over-the-shoulder view is important to me. Read: 2025 Volvo EX90 First Drive: The All Electric 3-Row SUV You've Been Waiting ForWhat You Do Get In the Polestar 4Ambient lighting in the center console even illuminates the lower storage space in the 2026 Polestar 4 – Credit: Scotty ReissLuxury. Lots of luxury. It starts with a minimalist exterior design notable for the angular LED headlights, a rear taillight bar, flush door handles and wide-set wheels. Inside, it's finished in beautiful materials with a center screen that leads to a very sophisticated tech interface. The center console features cup holders and a single button/dial that controls radio volume. Everything else is on the touch screen, from mirror and seat settings to climate control and more, though "Hey Google" voice assist can accomplish most requests. Over the steering wheel is a crisp digital driver's dispaly and there are controls on the steerign wheel for media, settings and more. Here's what I experienced in the dual motor model I test drove: AdvertisementAdvertisementAn HD video rear view cameraAll wheel drive, thanks to the dual motor setupWelcome and farewell lighting sequence with Polestar logo puddle lightsLeatherette upholstery in charcoal or light grayGoogle Built-In multimedia system with maps, voice assistance and moreA 15.4" center screen with a Solar System screen option; watch for the Polestar that occasionally streak across the screen Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoAn ambient lighting system inspired by the Solar System's colors Adaptive cruise control with predictive function based on navigation A 360-degree surround-view camera Advanced safety features including road sign information, blind spot assistance, collision avoidance, lane centering and lane change assist A charging cable Buyers may find models that feature these options, too: Bridge of Weir leather upholstery — the same leather used in Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Bentley and Range Rover ($3,700)A Performance package with 22" performance wheels, gold Brembo brakes, gold seatbelts and a sport-tuned suspension ($4,500) The Plus Pack with a head up display, motion-activated power tailgate, heated rear seats, rear control screen ($5,500)An option of an electrochromic panoramic sunroof that frosts or clears ($1,500 with the option of the Plus Pack)What It's Like to Drive the Polestar 4The steering wheel in the 2026 Polestar 4 – Credit: Scotty ReissDespite the lack of a rear window, the Polestar 4 delivers a great drive experience. At 544 HP, my dual motor test model was fast and responsive. As an EV it delivers instant acceleration thanks to all that power and torque. AdvertisementAdvertisementDriving around Austin, where I live, it was a delight; its power extends to more than taking off at a traffic light or merging onto the highway; thanks to one-pedal drive you can be much more efficient with your velocity, allowing you to slow to a stop and start up again without any hesitation. It's truly a cool experience. I also drove the Polestar 4 in Montreal in February where I found it to be just as responsive and precise. We drove on a snow-covered track and experienced how much control it offers, which was a surprise; the control on snow and ice is something we're finding EVs are particularly capable with thanks to the software controlled suspension and all wheel drive that can respond to road conditions and driver input in milliseconds. Not that it was impossible to slide, but it wasn't as easy as you might think. Can the Polestar 4 Be Maintained and Repaired? Set it and forget it air vents in the 2026 Polestar 4 – Credit: Scotty ReissThis is probably the most common question people will have about buying this car. And the answer is yes. First, Volvo isn't going anywhere; the brand will remain for sale in the US and at least for now, continue to sell EVs here.Then, carmakers anticipate maintenance and repair needs for years to come and even before a new model launches, have plans in place to provide parts and training for service. Polestar has a network of authorized service providers and in the future as more independent service providers specialize in EVs, there will be more shops that can service or repair Polestar 4s. Since the models are still for sale around the world, parts and training will be available. And, much of the maintenance is done via software updates, something that will come right to your Polestar 4 while you sleep. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Polestar 4 has a four-year, 50,000 mile warranty and an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty on the battery, there's peace of mind in that, too. There are only about 200 Polestar 4s for sale right now and the sale numbers are pretty stunning: The entry model dual motor has a listed price of $37,900, down from $62,900 for buyers paying cash. For those who want to finance, Polestar will take $18,000 off the price and finance the car at 0% interest. With local and state incentives and discounts and rebates from utility companies, that price could be even more lucrative. It's not necessarily cheap, but a half price luxury car? It's a true find.
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