Polestar 4 now on-sale as mid-sized electric SUV targets Tesla Model Y
The Polestar 4 electric SUV is now officially on sale in Australia and targeting the top-selling Tesla Model Y with aggressive pricing in the premium electric vehicle segment.
Priced from $81,500 before on-road costs, the Polestar 4 provides an upmarket five-seat alternative to the top selling Tesla Model Y – and crucially gives the fledgling all-EV brand an important entrant in the sweet spot of the market.
Last year in Australia 36 per cent of the 168,213 prestige and luxury models sold were powered purely by electricity.
Admittedly that figure is boosted hugely by Tesla.
But of all medium SUVs priced above $60,000, 46 per cent of them were powered only be electricity – and sub-$100,000 SUVs account for the bulk of EV sales in Australia.
“The introduction of Polestar 4 into all our markets through the course of 2024 is key to our success, adding this third model to our line-up,” Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. “Polestar 4 tackles the premium performance class in the D-SUV segment.”
Expectation is high for the Poelstar 4 in Australia, with the ambitious Swedish-Chinese electric brand predicting it will become the top-seller ahead of the recently revamped Polestar 2 hatchback and larger Polestar 3 SUV.
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Polestar 4’s innovative interpretation of an SUV coupé offers great interior space and a stunning appearance,” says
The most affordable Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor, rear-wheel drive version of the new mid-sized SUV also undercuts key rivals from luxury brands, including the BMW iX3 ($89,100 plus on-roads) and Lexus RZ450e ($121,675 plus costs).
Its rear-mounted motor makes 200kW and 343Nm and is planned to provide 610km of WLTP range from a 100kWh battery (94kWh of which is useable).
A more powerful Long Range Dual Motor version brings all-wheel drive and costs $93,050 plus on-roads, in turn stepping outputs up to 400kW and 686Nm. The range drops slightly to 580km utilising the same 100kWh battery.
Fast DC charging can be done at up to 200kW and AC charging at up to 11kW – or 22kW with the optional Plus pack.
That translates to a 10-80 percent DC fast charge in as little as 30 minutes.
AC charging takes about 11 hours on a three-phase connection (or 5.5 hours with the 22kW charger) or more like 15 hours on a 7.4kW wallbox.
Sourced from China and riding on the SEA architecture set to underpin various models from the Geely Group, the Polestar 4 also slots in under the luxury car tax threshold, allowing Single Motor versions to take advantage of the fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption for electric vehicles.
The Polestar 4’s infotainment system uses the Android Automotive operating system and incorporates a 15.4-inch central touchscreen and 10.2-inch instrument cluster as well as a smaller rear infotainment touchscreen.
The interior rear vision mirror is also a screen to account for the lack of a back window, ensuring the driver can monitor what’s going on behind.
There are also 20-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, 360-degree camera, dual-zone ventilation, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, power adjustable front seats and electrically reclining rear seats and metallic paint.
The cabin is finished in a maze of modern and recycled materials and also includes leather with an Animal Protection Index rating.
Safety is taken care of with seven airbags, blind spot warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), rear auto braking, speed sign recognition, mild steering assistance and driver monitoring. There are also 12 cameras – 11 external and one monitoring the driver – including one acting as a dashcam.
The Polestar 4 also comes with Google Assistant and maps as well as connectivity to the Google Play store to give access to third-party apps.
An $8000 Plus pack adds a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system that includes additional headrest speakers when combined with the $7000 Nappa pack that includes perforated leather trim, ventilated front seats and plusher rear headrests.
A $2500 Pro pack brings a gold stripe on the seatbelts, gold valve caps and 21-inch alloy wheels.
The Dual Motor can be optioned with a $7200 Performance pack that brings 22-inch wheels, four-piston Brembo brakes, firmer sports-tuned suspension and gold coloured brakes, seatbelts and valve caps.
Polestar says it has included the hardware for bi-directional charging (allowing the car to feed back into the grid) and vehicle to load (V2L) functionality, each of which can be activated later via an over-the-air software update.
Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor
Price: $81,500, plus on-road costs
Motors: 1 rear, 200kW/343Nm
Battery capacity: 100kWh (94kWh usable)
AC charging: 11kW (22kW optional)
DC charging: 200kW (10-80 per cent charge in 30 minutes)
Range: 610km
Polestar 4 Long Range Dual Motor
Price: $93,050, plus on-road costs
Motors: 1 front, 1 rear, 400kW/686Nm
Battery capacity: 100kWh (94kWh usable)
AC charging: 11kW (22kW optional)
DC charging: 200kW (10-80 per cent charge in 30 minutes)
Range: 580km
