2026 Polestar 4

Polestar is the all-electric offshoot brand of Volvo, and the Polestar 4 is the only vehicle currently sold in the U.S. The Polestar 2 sedan is no longer imported, and the slightly larger Polestar 3 SUV will return later in the year after moving production to South Carolina. Like its predecessors, the Polestar 4 distinguishes itself with modern exterior styling and a stark yet inviting interior design. There's still a familial resemblance to its Volvo cousins, though the Polestar brand tends to lean more into performance.

Since the Polestar 4 blends hatchback and SUV sensibilities, it competes against a variety of other EVs. That includes the Audi A6 Sportback E-tron, which we currently consider the best electric luxury car in its class. On the SUV side, there's the Genesis GV60 and Cadillac Optiq, while the Porsche Macan Electric is a legitimate performer with fewer drawbacks. As flawed as the Polestar 4 is, we'd also consider the cleverly designed Volvo EX40, which traces its roots back to 2019.

The 2026 Polestar 4 strikes us as an eye-catching concept car that was perhaps pushed into production before it was ready. In the case of the absent rear window, perhaps it should have stayed in the concept stage, as it gives drivers the impression of driving a cargo van and forces heavy reliance on the digital rearview mirror. It also makes the rear seats feel closed in. While we like the minimalist interior design, the lack of buttons can make even the most mundane tasks seem overly complicated, as you'll have to dig through a multitude of infotainment menus to just turn on the ventilated seats or dim the electronic sunshade for the sunroof.