What's it like driving the first car sold in Britain WITHOUT a rear window? We review the new Polestar 4 EV

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Sometimes a new car can get a reputation before it even comes to market. And that is certainly the case with the latest arrival from EV-maker Polestar.

The Swedish brand’s newest model, the 4, has garnered attention because of a controversial design change.

What is this world-first? The Polestar 4 is the first car without a rear window to arrive on UK roads.

So, how does it actually feel to drive a rear window-less car? We found out when Motoring Reporter Freda Lewis-Stempel tested one at the UK launch in the Cotswolds...

The Polestar 4 - the third car from the Swedish EV brand - is the first car without a rear window to arrive on UK road

The rear window - to see or not to see?

It seems a bit ridiculous to start a review with a Hitchcock film name, but considering it’s all anyone talks about with this car, we might as well start with the lack of rear window.

Why is there no glass at the back? 

Well, Polestar’s designer chose to dispense with the rear window to give more headroom for passengers sat in the back.

To compensate, the 4 gets a high-definition roof-mounted camera to provide the driver with a view of what's lurking behind.

The maker has smartly placed the camera on the roof to direct airflow and keep water and dirt away from the lenses, so bad weather won’t detract from your sight.

And the digital mirror is also two-way, meaning you can also switch it to a regular mirror to check on rear passengers – a must if you have kids squabbling in the back.

Somewhat bravely, for the most part I really didn't miss or feel hampered by the lack of a rear window during my two-day driving stint.

The rear view digital mirror is also two-way so you can switch it to a regular mirror to check on rear passengers – a must if you have kids

There's no rear window but instead the housing of the roof-mounted camera is designed to direct the airflow and keep water and grime away from the lenses

A 2.5-megapixel camera with an impressive 121-degree field of view provides real-time information to the cabin's 8.9″ HD display

The Polestar 4 - the third car from the Swedish EV brand - is the first car without a rear window to arrive on UK roads

The HD camera worked very well; it was sharp and clear, and the wide dynamic range picked up far flung angles. Looking in the electronic rearview mirror was a one-for-one swap and, honestly, I forgot that it was a camera mirror for most of the driving.

It was only when pulling out at junctions and reversing into parking spaces that I remembered there was no glass having glanced over my shoulder.

But even with parking or reversing, many of us are - rightly or wrongly - so used to using cameras these days that there wasn’t much difference to my actions in any other new motor. You couldn’t do the extra extra check behind, but it wasn’t the end of the world.

You should also remember that many van and lorry drivers do without a rear window - and they mostly manage just fine. 

I should say, though, that I don’t wear glasses, so bespectacled drivers definitely need to give the camera mirror a proper trial when test driving.

Away from the lack of rear window - what's the rest of the driving experience like?

The Long range Dual motor out produces 536bhp, can do 0 to 60mph in 3.7 seconds and has a claimed range of 367 miles. The Long range Single motor variant, which produces 268bp, does 0 to 60mph in 6.9 seconds and has a claimed range of 385 miles

I took the Long Range Dual Motor version out for a spin, which produces 536bhp, can do 0 to 60mph in 3.7 seconds and has a claimed range of 367 miles on a full charge.

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There’s also a Long Range Single Motor variant, toom which produces 268bp, hits 60mph 6.9 seconds and has an even longer range of 385 miles (claimed).

Top speed is limited to 124mph which is probably a good thing as the 4 just adds pace like an airplane taxying. 

Overtaking slow tractors happened in the blink of an eye and motorway slip roads disappeared into thin air; this is, by all means and purposes, the fastest Polestar yet for a reason.

However, it wasn’t as smooth as the Polestar 3 on account of the lack of air suspension (the 4 only has steel springs), which meant some bumpy country roads could be a bit jarring. Though it smoothed out nicely on dual carriageways and motorways.

It wasn’t as smooth as the Polestar 3 on account of the lack of air suspension – the 4 only has steel springs – which meant some bumpy country roads could be a bit jarring, but it smoothed out nicely on dual carriageways and motorways

While it might not be as composed as the 3, grip levels are good, and it doesn’t roll in corners like other bulky crossover models of a similar ilk.

You can adjust the steering between ‘light’ for city life, ‘standard’ for motorways and ‘firm' for twisting mountain roads, so it's adaptable to driving environments, too.

Polestars always feel very well-built and sturdy, and this trend continues with the 4. It provides a confidence when driving that's on par with most luxury brands.

Plus, the 4 has a highly adjustable driving setup: the steering wheel control pads allow you to move the wheel in and out, up and down, which, when added to the multi-way electronically adjustable seats, means you can find the perfect driving position.

The car I took out had both the Plus and Pilot packs, which combined add extras like head-up display, pixel LED headlights and safety assists including lane keep and pilot assist.

Interior: What's it like to spend time in?

As per Polestar’s impressive dedication to sustainability, the 3D knit interior is made from 100 per cent recycled PET bottles which is created with running shoe material in mind

Much of the criticism around deleting the rear window was that it would make the cabin too dark, but the 4 feels incredibly light.

The interior was in the ‘Mist Tailored knit theme’ - a lovely light grey/white - so it felt like a relaxed spa, and the panoramic roof (which has an optional electrochromic film to reduce glare) let in so much daylight.

As per Polestar’s impressive dedication to sustainability, the 3D knit is made from 100 per cent recycled PET bottles which is created with running shoe material in mind.

The seats are supremely comfortable, and the execution of the interior is as good as the design – it's pretty heavenly to be in.

Overall, the 4 is minimalistic but there’s still flare and feel, unlike Tesla interiors which can feel soulless.

In the centre is the 15.4-inch landscape display – the first landscape display from Polestar- which is preferable to the portrait screen on the 2 and 3.

Google’s built-in as per Polestar and there’s wireless Apple CarPlay too. Some of the driving controls could do with physical button shortcuts, as fiddling around with mirrors and driving setup took a while, but otherwise it’s a pretty foolproof system with shortcut tabs on the screen.

In the centre is the 15.4-inch landscape display – the first landscape display from Polestar- which is preferable to the portrait screen on the 2 and 3

There’s a 526-litre boot with a 31-litre under floor as well as a 15-litre frunk in the 4 so plenty of SUV practicality

Legroom and headroom are very good, which should keep the rear window critics somewhat appeased, and boot space is also excellent for a coupe: there’s a 526-litre boot with a 31-litre under floor as well as a 15-litre frunk.

That’s more than a Porsche Macan (540L) and the BMW iX3 (510L) and a Kia EV6 (480L) - not too shabby.

Pricing and charging

The Polestar 4 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes at a 200kW charger. On a 22kW AC charger the 94kWh (usable) battery will fully charge in five and a half hours, and this goes up to 11 hours on a 11kW home charger.

The 4 starts from £59,990 but the Long range version will cost from £66,990.

Extras like rear privacy glass through to Performance packs will set you back anything from £450 to £4,000.

Polestar 4: The Cars and Motoring Verdict

As the third car from the brand, it is exciting to see flare and dynamism we can hopefully expect from the upcoming 5 and 6 trickling in already to the 4, as Polestar gains confidence and starts to have a bit of fun

Polestar says the 4 is both a performance SUV and innovative coupe and it does manage to combine the coupe coolness and the SUV roominess into a good looking package.

It also happens to have one of the best interiors I’ve sat in in quite some time, especially for the price point.

As the third car from the brand, it is exciting to see flare and dynamism we can hopefully expect from the upcoming 5 and 6 trickling in already to the 4, as Polestar gains confidence and starts to have a bit of fun.

Polestar recently proved to make some of the most efficient EVs, so if this holds true for the 4’s range, then you’ve also got a very practical car that looks good, drives well and will go the distance.

And as for the rear window, its omission - in my humble opinion - isn't anywhere near as limiting as many fear. 

However, it will come down to personal choice if you can live without it or not, so we’ll just have to see if the Ayes or Noes have it.

Polestar 4: Will it fit in my garage? 

On sale: Now

Price: Long range Single Motor from £59,990

Long range Dual motor from £66,990 

DRIVETRAIN: 

Drivetrain: Electric

Battery: 94kWh (usable) 

Rear-wheel drive and All-wheel drive options

PERFORMANCE 

Horsepower: 

Single motor - 268bhp

Dual motor -536bhp

Acceleration (0-60mph): 

Single motor - 6.9 seconds

Dual motor - 3.7 seconds 

Top speed: 124mph 

RANGE

 Single motor - 385 miles

Dual motor - 367 miles 

DIMENSIONS

Length: 4,840 mm

Width (with mirrors): 2,139 mm

Height: 1,544 mm 

Wheelbase: 2,999 mm 

Doors: 5

Seats: 5

Boot capacity: 536 litres 

OPTIONS

Performance Pack = £4,000

Pilot Pack = £1,300

Pro Pack = £1,800