New Polestar 4 SUV is more practical and £2k cheaper than coupe
Polestar is looking to build on the success of its best-selling model by adding more space and cutting its price.
The new SUV version of the Polestar 4 gains a bigger boot, updated interior tech and a reinstated rear window in a bid to take on rivals such as the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric – and a starting price of £54,750 makes it £2000 cheaper than its sleeker sibling.
The line-up will mirror the coupé with both Rear Motor and Dual Motor variants, including a 536bhp Performance version of the latter. Thanks to new tyres and tweaked powertrain calibration, the 100kWh battery can eke out six miles of extra range in the SUV, enabling a claimed 391 miles for the Rear Motor version and 373 miles for the Dual Motor. That’s broadly competitive in its segment but a long way behind class leaders such as the 500-mile iX3 and 503-mile Volvo EX60. Rapid charging also maxes out at 200kW, which is half the iX3’s maximum.
Losing the coupe’s distinctive sleek roofline and windowless rear end makes the SUV more conventional-looking, but the digital rear-view camera remains an option to improve visibility if rear passengers are blocking the view. The accompanying camera has been relocated to under the rear spoiler, meaning the rear wiper (also under the spoiler) can clean both the window and lens. On the nose there’s new ADAS hardware behind the front bumper, which allows for a slightly cleaner design.
Big gains come in the practicality department, with the 4 SUV’s boxier tail allowing for a boot space of 530 litres, which is not only a 30-litre boost versus the coupé but also enough to edge the Polestar ahead of its BMW rival. The electric Mercedes GLC remains the more spacious car overall, however. With the rear seats of each car folded down, the 4 SUV’s total available load space of 1665 litres actually falls behind its rivals again – even accounting for the 15-litre frunk.
The technology upgrades provided with the 4 SUV don’t aside from a more customisable homepage alter its digital set-up, which continues to revolve around a 15.4in touchscreen that does away with most physical controls in the cockpit. Instead, the changes relate to software and specifically Google Gemini AI, which is said to allow for more natural verbal requests to control car features, including finding navigation directions with specific charging location preferences. This tech will in due course be rolled out to new and existing 4 coupés via over-the-air updates.
The 4 SUV also receives tweaked spring and damper rates to help it challenge the Porsche Macan Electric with sharper handling, while different designs for both the 21in and 22in wheels add to the SUV’s sporting appearance.
Related posts
Latest Post
No Comments