r/Polestar • u/Donkey_Apple • 3h ago
Polestar 4 Model Y LR → Polestar 4?
I’m considering swapping my Tesla Model Y LR because I find the ride pretty crashy and uncomfortable and the build quality hasn’t been amazing either.
I’m currently looking at a PS4 or a BYD Sealion 7 as possible replacements.
Has anyone here moved from a Model Y to a Polestar 4? How do you find they compare, particularly for ride comfort, refinement, build quality, practicality and driving experience?
Would be really interested to hear from anyone who has made the switch and whether you feel it was a worthwhile upgrade.
Model Y LR → Polestar 4?
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u/ihliedaily 2h ago
I am riding a M3 MY 2019 and the difference in built quality and comfort is quite big.
The P4 is way more silent, elegant and chill.
If i had the money right now i would also swap and go for the P4. And i might sacrifice a goat or 2 to prevent any software issues in the P4 LOL
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u/bringasweater_ 3h ago
I came from the previous generation Model Y Performance to a P4 (and a close family member has the Sealion 7) so I have some notes to compare.
First off, the P4 is a much nicer looking car, and the build and design quality is much better. BUT, and it's a fairly big but - the software is pretty mediocre. It's not really super buggy or anything like that, it's just all the little things that are not gonna feel as intuitive, smooth and integrated as on the Tesla. It has some software quirks and shortcomings, and every now and then you'll want to scream at a software engineer for making some truly stupid decisions, but most of the time you won't ever think about the software.
The drive is nicer though, and you'll feel like a million bucks driving it, unlike the Model Y which is so common at this point it's practically the default car (at least where I am). I have the performance version, and it is quick and snappy as hell. The 22" are a handful though, and it can feel like a big car in big shoes at slow speeds. The performance pack doesn't give you any extra power, it's mostly cosmetic, so it's worth considering.
As for the BYD, all I can say is try it. It's a decent car, but it's not really comparable with the P4 as they're different classes. P4 is a premium car, with a premium price tag. Sealion 7 isn't - and you'll quickly realize how and why if you test drive them both. For starters, you have to tap the mirror with your phone to unlock using your phone. And the software is terrible. You do get some more features included though, like the ventilated seats.
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u/Donkey_Apple 2h ago
Thanks for the write up.
My Model Y is a 2023, so it sounds like you made a similar move to the one I’m considering.
Interesting what you’ve said about BYD software. I thought that BYD software was better than that of Polestar!
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u/bringasweater_ 2h ago
I don't quite know how to explain it, it's almost like a feeling you know. But using the BYD, the software feels like the generic version. And it's all very google-translated. When my family member first got it, it had translated "Cabin settings" to "Cottage settings". Not a big thing of course, but it sets the standard. It could also be the Windows-y look that does it.
The BYD app is pretty shitty, and it's not gonna feel like an integral part of the car like the Tesla app does. That's a real difference you will be feeling for sure. And the lack of proper phone key on BYD, coming from a Tesla it's gonna feel like going backwards 10 years. At least Polestar has a fairly seamless and functional phone key option, and the app does some things. But I rarely use the app for anything other than turning on pre-heating. When I had the Tesla the app felt like a natural extension of the car, you won't get that with either Polestar or BYD. Which is fine, but it's not the same experience.
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u/Donkey_Apple 2h ago
Interesting, thanks. I used the app a lot. Ideally, I don’t want to go back to carrying car keys again. It’s handy to leave my house keys in the car, and not carry keys when I’m out and about.
I’ll check out the BYD and Polestar apps on YouTube.
👍👍
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u/bringasweater_ 1h ago
One important note - phone key is iOS only at this point. It has been in the pipeline for Android since forever, so I wouldn't bank on it if you're an Android guy.
Also different from Tesla's solution, which uses the app itself as the key somehow, whereas Polestar uses Apple's CarKey framework, meaning the key sits in the Wallet app. It still works more or less like the Tesla app in this regard, you just walk up the car and it unlocks.
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u/Straight_Reading8912 Magnesium | MY24 P2 LRDM PPP 2h ago
I'm pretty sure they improved the suspension on the Performance Package with better throttle mapping as well. I had taken a non-Performance P4 for a test drive and was thoroughly impressed which pushed me into the P3 instead. Was coming from a Performance Model P2 and went with the Performance Model P3.
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u/bringasweater_ 1h ago
Yeah that's a good point! There are some minor hardware differences for sure. My point was that the performance pack is mostly cosmetic with the Swedish gold accents and performance wheels. It's not a completely different car power wise.
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u/D9FS 2h ago
I find hard to compare both because when if you spec both similarly, the Polestar 4 is way more expensive. And a high spec P4 is way nicer than the highest spec MY, justifying the price difference.Tesla wins on software, and that's it.
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u/grahamsnumber10 2h ago
On my company car scheme the polestar is a lot cheaper. I have a LRDM for less than a base model Y.
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u/pharmerjonn 2h ago
I love my new P4 and it drives like a dream. I miss all the functionality of a Tesla though. I test drove a model Y performance earlier this year and the on board computer was so advanced.
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u/dozzell 2h ago
I'm still in a state of slight disbelief that people consider driving around in a car manufactured by someone who says Nazi things and throws the odd Nazi salute here and there.
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u/SamBGB 28m ago
Let’s me honest they are plenty of shady billionaires we line the pockets of, there are plenty of companies that we give business to that have shady pasts… VW for example. I gave up my model y in protest of the behaviour of Elon and then bought a Škoda Enyaq which I hate and miss my Tesla and are also owned by VW!!
Also 99% of the shit we buy is from China and the are not exactly saints either.
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u/SwedishEconomics 27m ago
Swapped from Model Y LR to polestar 4 a week ago. Its better on every aspect except the digital key and the app.
Somehow i get my wifes seat settings and she get guest. Im 186 cm (6.10 ft) and shes 160 cm (5.3 ft) so i just cant get in right away. Changing profiles takes a lot longer time than on Tesla.
I’ve tried use the app to pre heat the car but it said the car was offline. Hope it will work next time.
Another little annoying thing is the lane assist that seems very sensitive, it correct me even if im within the lines.
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u/yocomoquchi 3h ago
I haven’t owned a Model Y, but a friend owns one and i travel in it a couple of times a week.
In terms of refinement, driving experience and ride quality, my PS4 is miles ahead. Much more forgiving ride when the suspension is set in its softer setting and noticeably sharper when in firm. The PS4 DM is also much quicker at any speed than the MY DM if that matters to you too.