Polestar's Tesla Model Y rival gets price and launch date for North America

Polestar 4 is finally arriving in the U.S.

The "performance SUV coupé," as Polestar calls it, first launched in China last year, followed by a launch in Europe and Australia in February 2024.

In the U.S., the long range, single motor version will start at $54,900, while the long range, dual motor variant will cost $62,900 (that's before the $1,400 destination fee). There are a couple more variants in between, depending on which upgrade packs you choose; the priciest version is the long range, dual motor Polestar 4 with Plus and Performance packs, which will cost $72,900.

While the optional upgrades bring additional goodies such as a heads up display, larger wheels, and better brakes, all the key figures are essentially the same across the board, depending only on whether you choose the single motor, or the dual motor version.

All models have the same, 102kWh battery, with a maximum DC charging speed of 200 kW. For the single motor version, you get 300 miles of estimated EPA range, 272 horsepower, and a 0-60mph time of 6.9 seconds. The dual motor version loses some of that range, which drops to 270 miles, but has exactly double the horsepower at 544hp, and a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds.

None of these figures beat the Polestar 4's main rival, the Tesla Model Y, which starts at $43,990. Even its top variant, Tesla Model Y Performance, is cheaper at $52,490, faster with a 3.5 second 0-60mph time, with an estimated range of 279 miles.

Besides a very distinctive design and that Swedish charm (Polestar started out as a Volvo spinoff, though the Swedish company has recently been handing over the reins to parent company Geely), Polestar 4 does have a few more things going for it. It's slightly longer and wider, its infotainment is powered by Android Automotive OS which Android users will probably love, and its interior is less sparse, with a 10.2-inch driver display coming as standard (that's besides the main, 15.4-inch center display), while a 14.7-inch HUD is optional.

Safety should also be top-notch, with a driver assist system powered by twelve cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors, and a radar (some safety features are optional, though, and must be purchased separately).

Polestar 4 will become available for pre-order in the U.S. in "late April," with customer deliveries starting in the fourth quarter of 2024.