Polestar 4 is sophisticated, smooth and spacious

The vehicle is the most impressive Polestar to date as it builds on the company’s ethos of sleek design, advanced sustainability, and punchy performance.

The range isn’t too bad either, while the roomy interior has an air of calm quality that is characterised by fashion-inspired materials.

As has been well-documented, the 4 is clearly missing something – a rear window.

The Polestar 4 is distinctive for its lack of a rear window Cars usually hit the headlines for something they have, rather than something they don’t have, but it’s fair to say the absence of a slab of glass at the back has got folk talking.

It came about because designer Max Missoni wanted a coupe-style roofline, while retailing decent rear headroom on a body that, perhaps, wasn’t naturally conducive to such a sharply-slanted roof.

His solution: eliminate the rear window and replace it with a digital camera.

Some see it as a ‘bold innovation’ , while others view it as a gimmick.

For a few days, it took me a while to adapt to this unusual scenario and I found myself glancing backwards when reversing, only to be met with a block of sheer darkness where the rear window should have been.

The smart interior of the Polestar However, as the days wore on, my initial hostility towards this break with tradition eased.

The turning point came when – somewhat bored at a set of traffic lights – I glanced at the HD camera and could see the facial expressions on the people in the car behind.

“With such detail on offer, why wouldn’t you trust it?” I asked my son. “What if the camera gets blocked,” came the reply.

Well, you’ve still got the normal mirrors, like you would have in a van, and Polestar states that the roof-mounted camera’s specially designed casing protects against water and grime.

Of course, the test of time will prove that theory right or wrong, but I found myself increasingly in favour of the innovation as the week drew to an end, especially with the way in which it helped me to reverse into parking bays with precision.

The rear end of the Polestar 4 In a summer when Oasis made a comeback, I’d say to critics: ‘Don’t look back in anger!’

In terms of looks, the 4 benefits from a stylish silhouette, precise lighting details, distinctive window lines, and a streamlined front-end with what it calls a ‘shark nose’.

The headlamps are divided into two sections with an illuminated Polestar logo, which lights up as you walk towards the vehicle and the sensor becomes aware of the key approaching the vehicle. All very slick.

The interior of the Polestar 4 has sophisticated and relaxing features, designed for comfort and style.

The cabin, which is very quiet due to lack of sound from the electric motor, has innovative elements, with ‘mist tailored knit’ fabric made from recycled PET bottles used in parts of the interior.

The vehicle has sharp and confident lines A superb 15-inch digital central screen takes pride of place at the front of the cabin, offering excellent connectivity and being very intuitive to use

Returning to the earlier theme, it is that screen that also acts as the rear view mirror, with the view projected from the rear-facing camera.

Official figures suggest the 4 is capable of 380 miles on a full battery. By my broad estimations – if you drove with a great deal of restraint – you could eke out something significantly above 300.

However, fast-charging is slower compared to alternatives.

The car’s battery is a 400V lithium-ion with a nominal capacity of 100 kWh and a usable capacity of 94 kWh.

In terms of performance, the 4 covers 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds and tops out at a speed of 124 mph.

Acceleration feels brisk and power is delivered in a smooth manner.

The advanced driving assistance system ensures the vehicle handles particularly well on various types of roads.

The Lowdown

Polestar 4
PRICE: £59,990 standard
0-60MPH: 6.9 seconds
TOP SPEED: 124mph
POWER: 268bhp
TORQUE: 343Nm 
BATTERY: 400v Lithium-ion, with 94kWh useable capacity
RANGE: 385 miles