Polestar 4 wins Best Luxury Car under $100K
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Luxury can be a difficult concept to define, but Polestar makes a clear statement of contemporary luxury.
Some Drive Car of the Year categories were easily won, while others saw the judges tied, sifting through fine details to find an eventual winner.
In the case of Best Luxury Car under $100K the field of competitors was so strong that any of the three finalists could comfortably wear the crown.
Discussion boiled down to elements like refinement, interior finishes, and other granular elements of what it takes to be considered a true luxury car.
Two of the finalists in this category have long, documented histories in the prestige field.
The BMW i4 eDrive 35 starts the excellent driving dynamics and smart-looking interior of its petrol 4 Series counterpart. Add in the smooth and silent electric operation of its electric powertrain and the i4 makes a strong impression.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class fronted up for its third year running, having won this segment in 2023 and 2024. Comfort, equipment, and refinement play to its strengths but without notable evolution over the years, the C-Class has started to lose its top-seeded position.
As a relative newcomer to the prestige segment, Polestar leans heavily on its Swedish design origins, matching a sophisticated interior with a powerful electric platform derived from Chinese giant, Geely's portfolio of products.
Arriving as a breath of fresh air in the segment, the Polestar managed to topple its establish competition.
MORE: See the finalists for Best Luxury Car under $100K
MORE: See all the winners – visit the Drive Car of the Year 2025 hub
Winner: Polestar 4
Drive’s pick: Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor from $81,500 plus on-road costs
Polestar 4 key facts:
- Priced from $81,500 to $91,350 (before on-road costs)
- Five-year warranty
- 590-620km claimed range (WLTP)
Why the Polestar 4 won:
- Stunning interior design and materials
- Isolated outside noise and vibrations
- Generously proportioned seating space
Polestar has managed to do the almost impossible and has made minimalism strikingly bold. The exterior design is dramatic without being overwrought, and the interior uses its carefully considered finishes to provide sophistication of the highest order.
Breaking from tradition in the segment, the Polestar 4 blends elements of traditional sedans, high-riding SUVs, and classic couple proportions to create a spacious and welcoming interior. Easy access and roomy accommodation prove that practicality can be a luxury commodity.
The fine detail in the interior won universal acclaim. Delivering on the luxury premise with carefully selected materials, soft and supportive seating, and a relaxing ambience that makes even the shortest trips comfortable and relaxing.
Smart choices of fabrics, sumptuous leather finishes, or smart animal hide alternatives provide an appealing array of options to create an interior that looks and feels incredibly sophisticated. No design detail has been overlooked, from padded touchpoints to decorative metal detailing.
It's not just the front seats that get treated to a premium experience either with sculpted and supportive seating, generous head, shoulder, and leg room, and excellent visibility from the panoramic roof included as standard. The fastback shape may look sleek from the outside, but the ease of entry and interior space give the Polestar 4 a limo-like quality.
Ultimately the impressive electric powertrain was the deciding factor. All EVs deliver smooth and quiet performance, but Polestar's experiences in EVs and attention to detail mean that road and wind noise are minimised to reduce outside interruptions.
The judges praised the Polestar 4's sure-footed handling. No easy feat with the instant torque of the electric powertrain delivering up to 400kW in dual-motor guise. Despite the performance potential, the Polestar 4 feesl predictable and secure across a variety of road conditions.
MORE: Read the latest Polestar 4 news
The effortless performance plays a role here too. The Polestar 4 Single Motor offers 200kW and a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.1 seconds, which is more than adequate for the segment. Stepping up to the Polestar 4 Dual Motor trims the 0-100km/h dash to a scorching 3.8 seconds.
The elephant in the room was Polestar's controversial rear windowless styling. As effective as the Polestar 4's network of 360-degree and rear-view cameras is, the lack of true depth and ability to change the driver's field of view feels a little like a high tech solution to a problem that didn't exist.
That small blemish aside though, Polestar’s refreshing take on the premium vehicle segment shows that tradition isn't the only way to make a mark in the prestige vehicle segment.
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