Polestar is finally fixing the biggest problem with its small electric SUV

Polestar is preparing a new version of its successful Porsche Macan EV-rivalling Polestar 4 SUV, which for now is only offered as a coupe variant. The new model will be what Polestar calls an ‘Estate’, harking back to its Volvo roots and Scandinavian heritage. In reality, though, it sits somewhere between Volvo’s old Cross Country estates and its full-fledged XC SUVs in terms of road presence.

Spotted here testing at the Nürburgring with light camouflage, the boxy tail of the SUV body style is clearly visible and, thankfully, a proper rear window. One of the most controversial aspects of the Polestar 4 Coupe was its lack of a rear window, replaced by a body-colored panel.

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Polestar addressed the visibility and potentially claustrophobic feel by fitting an array of parking sensors and a reversing camera that continuously feeds a rear view to a rearview mirror screen. Meanwhile, the rear seat area remains reasonably light and airy thanks to an expansive panoramic glass roof.

It’s possible that this feature has put off some buyers, along with the reduced perceived practicality of the coupe body style. This SUV variant will address the concerns of those more conservative buyers when it goes on sale on September 2. It will also broaden the Polestar 4 proposition compared to the still-sleek Porsche Macan EV and Tesla Model Y.

The SUV is expected to join the lineup with the same battery and powertrain options as the coupe, featuring a 268bhp rear-motor model and a 536bhp dual-motor model, both powered by a 94kWh (usable) battery. Being an SUV, it is likely to be slightly less aerodynamic than the Coupe variant, negatively impacting range.

The Polestar 4 had a shaky start critically, with a glitchy user interface and suspension and steering that lacked refinement. From a sales perspective, however, it has been a real success for Polestar, driving a doubling of Polestar’s sales volumes in the 2025 fiscal year.

Polestar has also worked to address the issues, with the 2027 model year adding high-capacity passive dampers, new settings for the springs and anti-roll bars, new polyurethane bump stops, and tightening up the steering. The claim is that it is both more dynamic and more comfortable to drive.