Polestar 4, Once Shut Out by Tariffs, Reaches American Buyers With a Rear-Window-Free Design

The Polestar 4, an all-electric luxury crossover, has reached the American market after years of delay. The vehicle was designed in Sweden with help from Volvo and is now manufactured in South Korea.

The model has existed for four years, but earlier production took place in China. Vehicles built there faced 100 per cent tariffs, which made sales in the United States impossible. The change in manufacturing location has cleared the way for its US debut.

A dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain drives the Polestar 4. It produces 544 horsepower and 506 lb-ft of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds. On a full charge, the vehicle offers a range close to 300 miles. It seats up to five adults, and its trunk is wide enough to hold two full-size golf bags lengthwise.

The feature that most distinguishes the car is the absence of a rear window. In its place, a high-definition screen shows a live feed from a roof-mounted rear camera, with a field of view far wider than what most modern vehicles offer. Without a rear window, the fixed panoramic glass roof extends beyond the heads of rear passengers. A second screen between the front seats lets those passengers control media and climate settings.

Maximillian Missoni, Polestar's head of design, said the company removed the rear window and moved the rear header, which plays an integral safety role, further back. "This means that now, rear occupants can have a unique experience in our SUV coupé," he said. The full-length glass roof has electrochromatic functionality, so it can be made opaque or transparent depending on mood or weather.

The car unlocks and presents its door handles as the driver approaches, switches on when the driver sits down, and turns off and locks after the driver leaves. Only a key fob in a pocket or purse is needed. Steering and handling are sharp and responsive, and one-pedal driving brings the car to a full stop when the driver lifts off the pedal. The steering wheel offers three modes that can be tailored to a driver's style.

With a Level 2 garage charger, the Polestar 4 can be fully charged overnight from any level of battery depletion. Fast-charging stations can do the job in 30 to 40 minutes.

Outside, the vehicle has a low, sleek front with air curtains below the headlights, rear side aero blades, flush-glazed door handles and 22-inch wheels, all intended to reduce drag. Polestar jokingly describes the look as robotic yet sexy, designed to appeal to both humans and humanoids.

Inside, standard and optional comforts include Google Maps, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, a 15.4-inch landscape-oriented touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Spotify and air conditioning. An optional Harman Kardon audio system has 12 speakers and a 1,400-watt channel-hybrid amplifier. The safety suite includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, cross-traffic alert, evasive steering assist, pilot assist and parking assist.

The base price is $57,990, with destination charges included. The as-driven price of the tested vehicle was $59,490. Prices may vary at local dealerships.