The Polestar 4 is not just another electric vehicle; it’s a design statement that challenges the traditional automotive form. For the 2026 Model Year (MY26) update in Australia, the Swedish performance electric brand has executed a strategic refinement of its popular SUV coupé, proving that sometimes, the best updates are those that listen directly to the driver.
The most welcome news for Australian buyers is the stable pricing—the 2026 Polestar 4 retains the same Manufacturer’s List Price (MLP) as the outgoing model, cementing its position as a sharp-valued rival to competitors like the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric.
💰 Price Holds Firm: Stability in a Volatile Market
In an era of fluctuating costs and frequent EV price hikes, Polestar’s commitment to holding the line on pricing for the 2026 model year is a significant win for Australian consumers.
| Model | 2026 Australian Price (MLP ex. On-Road Costs) |
| Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor (RWD) | $78,500 |
| Polestar 4 Long Range Dual Motor (AWD) | $88,350 |
This strategic stability makes the Polestar 4 even more compelling, allowing fleet managers and novated lease holders to budget with confidence while still gaining the benefit of subtle but impactful vehicle improvements.
🛠️ The Big Fix: From Touch to Tactile
The most celebrated change in the MY26 update addresses a common critique of the outgoing model: the lack of intuitive controls.
Polestar has swapped out the previous generation’s touch-sensitive steering wheel controls for conventional, physical buttons. This small but crucial refinement significantly improves the driver experience, offering the tangible feedback and ease-of-use that Australian drivers demand, especially when navigating complex highway systems or adjusting settings quickly. It’s a clear sign that Polestar is prioritising driver intuition and feedback.
💎 Smarter Option Packaging and Price Cuts
Beyond the steering wheel, Polestar has made the option structure more attractive:
- Refined Plus Pack ($8,000): This hugely popular package now includes the illuminated front Polestar logo, upgraded high-level interior illumination, and useful boot net pockets. It remains the must-have option, bundling premium features like the 14.7-inch Head-Up Display, 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, Pixel LED headlights, and 22kW AC charging capability.
- Nappa Leather Price Drop: The premium Nappa leather upholstery upgrade (which requires the Plus Pack) has seen a welcome price reduction of up to $1,300, making the ventilated, massaging front seats, and additional Harman Kardon headrest speakers more accessible.
- Cheaper Glass Roof: The optional electrochromic panoramic glass roof—which darkens automatically—is also more affordable, encouraging more buyers to select this dramatic design feature.
🚀 Performance and Range: Proven Powertrains Remain
Polestar has maintained its high-performing drivetrains, signifying confidence in the power, efficiency, and range metrics that already rival the best in the premium segment. Both variants utilise a large 94 kWh (usable) NMC battery.
| Specification | Long Range Single Motor (RWD) | Long Range Dual Motor (AWD) |
| Power/Torque | 200 kW / 343 Nm | 400 kW / 686 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.1 seconds | 3.8 seconds |
| WLTP Range | 620 km | 590 km |
| DC Fast Charging | Up to 200 kW | Up to 200 kW |
| AC Charging (with Plus Pack) | 22 kW | 22 kW |
The Single Motor remains the efficiency champion, delivering an exceptional 620 km WLTP range—a class-leading figure that eases any range anxiety for long Australian road trips.
The Dual Motor model is a genuine performance vehicle, launching to 100 km/h in a supercar-baiting 3.8 seconds. Its ability to combine such performance with a 590 km range is highly impressive. The standard 11 kW AC charging is suitable for overnight home charging, but the 22 kW AC option in the Plus Pack is invaluable for those with access to public or private three-phase power, offering significantly reduced charge times.
🖼️ The Design Statement: No Rear Window, All the Space
The Polestar 4’s most talked-about feature remains the elimination of the rear window, replaced by a digital rearview mirror fed by a high-definition roof-mounted camera. While initially controversial, the design decision achieves two distinct benefits:
- Enhanced Rear Headroom: By removing the structural header bar for the rear window, Polestar has pushed the roofline back, creating a vast, airy cabin with superior rear-seat headroom—a key comfort factor for taller Australian passengers.
- Increased Aerodynamics: The fastback-style tail is cleaner and more aerodynamically efficient, contributing to the impressive driving range figures.
The 526-litre boot capacity (expanding to 1536L) and the long 2999mm wheelbase ensure the Polestar 4 is supremely practical, offering more interior and cargo space than its coupé profile might suggest.
💻 Tech Integration: Google Continues to Shine
The Polestar 4’s central 15.4-inch touchscreen is powered by the excellent Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS) with Google built-in. This system is a major selling point in Australia, offering native access to Google Maps (with EV-specific route planning), Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store for apps like Spotify. The seamless integration and over-the-air update capability keep the vehicle’s software feeling fresh and functional.
Crucially, Polestar ensures full support for wireless Apple CarPlay, catering to the majority of Australian iPhone users.
🛡️ Ownership and Assurance
Polestar’s ownership proposition in Australia remains highly competitive in the premium segment:
- Vehicle Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited kilometres.
- Battery Warranty: 8 years / 160,000 kilometres (guaranteeing 70% State of Health).
- Servicing: Polestar offers complimentary scheduled servicing for the first 5 years or 100,000 km, with long intervals of 24 months or 30,000 km. This is a major cost saving and convenience advantage over almost all luxury rivals.
The 2026 Polestar 4 is a refined evolution of an already compelling EV. The retention of competitive pricing combined with targeted, driver-focused updates (like the physical buttons) shows a brand that is maturing and listening to its customers. For the Australian buyer looking for a distinctive, high-performing, and luxuriously appointed electric SUV coupé, the MY26 Polestar 4 offers an even more appealing and user-friendly package.
Polestar 4 vs. Tesla Model Y Performance and Audi Q6 e-tron: A 2026 Luxury EV Showdown
This is a clash of three titans in the premium electric SUV coupé segment. The 2026 Polestar 4 Dual Motor is taking on the established sales leader, the Tesla Model Y Performance, and the highly anticipated German luxury newcomer, the Audi Q6 e-tron (specifically the comparable e-tron quattro model).
The comparison highlights a choice between Performance and Price (Tesla), Design and Long-Term Value (Polestar), and Charging Technology and Brand Luxury (Audi).
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the key specifications for the three dual-motor, all-wheel drive models most relevant to the Australian luxury market:
⚡ Premium EV SUV Coupé Comparison (Dual Motor / AWD)
| Feature | 2026 Polestar 4 Dual Motor | Tesla Model Y Performance | 2026 Audi Q6 e-tron quattro |
| Australian Price (MLP ex. ORC) | A$88,350 | A$91,400 (Approx.) | A$122,500 (Approx.) |
| Max Power / Torque | 400 kW / 686 Nm | ~430 kW / ~660 Nm (Est.) | 285 kW / 580 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 3.8 seconds | 3.7 seconds | 5.9 seconds |
| WLTP Range | 590 km | 514 km | ~542 km |
| Usable Battery Capacity | 94 kWh (NMC) | ~75 kWh (NMC) | 94.9 kWh (NMC) |
| Architecture | 400V | ~400V | 800V (PPE Platform) |
| Max DC Charging Peak | 200 kW | ~250 kW | 270 kW |
| Charging Time (10-80%) | ~30 mins | ~25 mins | ~21 minutes |
| AC Charging Max | 22 kW (Optional) | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Boot Space (Rear/Max) | 526L / 1536L + 15L Frunk | 854L / 2158L + 117L Frunk | 526L / 1517L + 64L Frunk |
| Complimentary Servicing | 5 years / 100,000 km | None required (Condition-based) | Available 6-year plan (~A$2,080) |
1. Price and Value Proposition
The most striking difference is the price. The Polestar 4 is the clear value leader in the luxury segment, undercutting the equivalent Audi Q6 e-tron quattro by over $34,000. It also comes in slightly cheaper than the Tesla Model Y Performance while offering a larger battery and a higher-quality, more luxurious interior feel. The Polestar’s included 5 years of servicing adds significant long-term value.
2. Performance and Driving Dynamics
- Tesla Model Y Performance: This remains the drag-race champion, offering relentless, instant acceleration. Its focus is on raw speed and G-forces.
- Polestar 4 Dual Motor: Only fractionally slower than the Tesla, the Polestar is a true performance machine. The driving experience is generally perceived as more refined and dynamically polished than the Tesla, thanks to a focus on chassis tuning (especially with the optional Performance Pack).
- Audi Q6 e-tron quattro: The slowest to 100 km/h in this high-performance comparison, its focus is on sublime ride quality, comfort, and handling courtesy of its advanced PPE architecture and available adaptive air suspension, rather than outright sprint speed.
3. Range and Charging Technology
- Polestar 4: Holds a clear advantage in WLTP range at 590 km, thanks to its combination of a large 94 kWh usable battery and excellent aerodynamic design. The optional 22 kW AC charging is a major benefit for Australian homeowners with three-phase power.
- Audi Q6 e-tron: This is the charging king. Built on the advanced 800V PPE platform, it can achieve a segment-leading 270 kW DC charging peak, resulting in the quickest charge time (10-80% in about 21 minutes).1 While its range is slightly lower than the Polestar, the ultra-fast charging capability minimises downtime on long trips.
- Tesla Model Y Performance: Offers competitive charging and range figures but is now outclassed by the 800V Audi platform. Its true advantage lies in the reliability and sheer density of the Supercharger network across Australia.
4. Interior and Technology
- Audi Q6 e-tron: Represents the pinnacle of German luxury EV interiors, featuring multiple large, high-resolution screens (including a passenger display), premium materials, and a sense of meticulous build quality.2 It is the most traditionally luxurious offering.
- Polestar 4: Presents a modern, minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic that feels more premium and uses more sustainable materials than the Tesla.3 The unique lack of a rear window and the large panoramic roof create an exceptionally airy cabin. The adoption of physical buttons for the MY26 update addresses a key criticism.
- Tesla Model Y Performance: The epitome of minimalism. Its cabin is dominated by a single screen, offering unparalleled software functionality and connectivity (Supercharger network, Sentry Mode). However, many buyers find the build quality and material choices less “premium” than the European rivals.
Conclusion for the Australian Buyer
- Choose the Tesla Model Y Performance if: You prioritise raw acceleration, maximum cargo space (massive frunk and boot), and unbeatable charging network convenience. It offers a compelling high-performance package for the lowest purchase price.
- Choose the Polestar 4 Dual Motor if: You want the best all-round package for long-term ownership, featuring class-leading WLTP range, a refined driving experience, a unique design statement, a high-quality interior, and the massive benefit of 5 years of complimentary servicing.
- Choose the Audi Q6 e-tron quattro if: You demand cutting-edge 800V charging technology, the highest levels of traditional interior luxury and build quality, and are willing to pay a significant premium for the badge and the new PPE platform advantages.
About EV Evolution
EV Evolution is the leading online platform dedicated to Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. We foster a vibrant community, delivering essential EV news and insights, and enhancing user engagement through our innovative, AI-powered chatbot for dynamic discussions. Our mission is to empower Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts by fostering a vibrant, AI-driven online community that connects, informs, and advances the nation’s electric vehicle landscape.
