This story first appeared on The Car Collective. Perry Stern is the newest member of the group. You can read more of his work – and subscribe – at TheCarCollective.substack.com.
The Polestar 4, the latest performance EV from the Swedish brand is an impressive ride, but sadly, it will also be the last to come to the U.S. Perry Stern, our newest contributor, says goodbye to Polestar and explains why the brand is leaving America.
By auto industry standards, Polestar’s run in America has been short, and some consumers may never have even heard of the Swedish brand. Once the high-performance arm of the Volvo brand, Polestar struck out on its own in 2018 with grand plans to build a full range of luxury/performance EVs, and it was well on its way.
The Polestar 1 seem making its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
In the Beginning
It all started with the limited-edition Polestar 1, an exotic sports coupe with a plug-in hybrid system featuring a turbocharged/supercharged engine and dual electric motors that put out more than 600 horsepower – that one is still one of the best cars I’ve ever driven.
After the extreme Polestar 1 completed its limited run, the brand settled into building just EVs, starting with the compact Polestar 2 in 2021 and continuing with the Polestar 3 crossover in 2025. Both these vehicles had distinctive styling and delivered impressive performance and efficiency. Enjoyable to drive, the first two battery-electric Polestar models had a small but loyal following.
Look, Ma, no rear window on the Polestar 4.
Polestar 4, the Brand’s Last U.S. Offering
The Polestar 4 just arrived last fall, and after spending a week with this high-performance luxury hatchback, it’s even more disappointing that I won’t get to check out any of the future Polestar models. With a wide stance, stylish LED headlights and a sleek shape enhanced by the 21-inch wheels, the Polestar 4 stands out as a powerful-looking four-door. At the same time, the interior has a thoroughly modern look with its clean design, a nod to its Swedish roots.
However, some features bugged me – first and foremost, the Polestar 4 has no rear window. As there is no view out the back, the rear-view mirror is a digital display, but I found it hard to focus on, and it provides no depth of field, making it less desirable than a traditional mirror. Additionally, functions like steering wheel adjustment, rear-view mirror adjustment, and vent direction are accessed in the central display, overcomplicating what should be simple controls.
But with 544 horsepower on tap from its dual-motor drivetrain, it was easy to forgive these issues. The Polestar 4 is great fun to drive – not only can it hit 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, but it also offers up excellent handling with responsive steering and active dampers that keep the car flat in the turns while keeping it comfortable when cruising on the highway. Unfortunately, we’ll only get to see what Polestar’s next act is from afar.
The Polestar 5 was aimed at taking the 4 to a new level – while adding a rear window.
Why Is Polestar Being Shown the Door?
Polestar may not have been a big sales success, but the brand was growing. Plans had already been announced for the flagship Polestar 5, a new variant of the Polestar 4 (with a rear window), a replacement for the Polestar 2, Polestar 6 roadster and the Polestar 7 compact SUV. While those plans are likely to continue, we won’t see any of these exciting EVs in the U.S.
The problem is that Polestar (and Volvo) are owned by Geely, a Chinese automotive company, which makes the brands subject to the Connected Vehicle Rule enforced by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. The Connected Vehicle Rule “Prohibits sales of connected vehicles by connected vehicle manufacturers owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of China or Russia, and vehicles using their covered software.”
Volvo was able to get an exception for its 2027 lineup, but Polestar was denied and therefore cannot sell vehicles in the U.S. starting with the 2027 model year. The fact that the Polestar 3 is currently built in South Carolina is, unfortunately, irrelevant.
Even the Polestar products built in South Carolina will now be banned.
What Now?
Michael Lohscheller, Polestar CEO, said: “The automotive industry is entering a new phase, based on regional dynamics. Our strategy reflects that, with Europe being our largest growth engine and our plan to manufacture Polestar 7 in Europe.
“Our record sales in 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 show that we are making strong progress, with several new market launches taking place in Europe this year. In addition, we will continue to invest in markets where we have opportunities to continue to grow, like Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Canada.”
Polestar will continue to sell off its current inventory of Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 models, and the company says it will continue to provide service to its current customers. While the law may change in the future, allowing Polestar to return, at this point, if you want to buy a Polestar in the U.S., you’d better move fast.
This story first appeared on The Car Collective. Perry Stern is the newest member of the group. You can read more of his work – and subscribe – at TheCarCollective.substack.com.
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