The Ultimate EV Handbook: (Almost) everything you need to know about infotainment

A vehicle’s infotainment system now goes way beyond simply offering essential driving data, providing a way to tune into a favoured radio station, or offering route guidance to a chosen destination. 

All Polestar cars offer a cutting-edge user experience that is powered by the latest Android Automotive Operating System, which means Google Maps and other services are deeply integrated, allowing both drivers and passengers to seamlessly interact with their digital lives on a crisp, touchscreen display as they would with their tablets or smartphones. 

Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon’s Prime Video are just a handful of time-killing apps that come pre-loaded, ready to entertain, while Google Maps, Waze and EasyPark take care of journey planning and more. 

Worried about data? Don’t be, as a built-in 5G internet connection for Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 and 4G connection for Polestar 2 also makes it possible to download more applications whenever you need. So, just like the phone in your pocket, your Polestar is equipped with the software that makes a hectic modern life that bit easier. 

Streamline a busy lifestyle 

Leaving the house in the morning can be a struggle. For most, it involves ushering unwilling kids out of the front door, or attempting to walk the dog in the rain, while attempting to plan the 101 things that need to be navigated throughout the day. 

Google Home Integration is essential for those who like to multi-task, as it allows drivers to check on the battery charge status of their car or even activate climate functions, all while preparing breakfast. 

Integrating a Polestar into the Google Home ecosystem is a piece of cake, and once set up, it means you can ask your smart speaker to take care of various vehicle functions, or alternatively, activate smart home devices from the vehicle before you set foot in the front door after a long day at work. 

“Hey Google, raise the temperature inside the car and dim the lights at home,” is just one example for those who enjoy that hygge lifestyle. 

Purchasing a Polestar also means that the first three years of in-car data are rolled into the price, so your car remains constantly connected to the Internet.  

This makes it possible to harness the power of Google Assistant, which allows drivers to have emails read aloud by the AI assistant, reply to text messages without taking eyes off the road and be reminded of important calendar entries. 

When parked, it’s also possible to download the Google Automotive Keyboard app, which transforms a touchscreen inside a Polestar into a computer keyboard for catching up on all things work and home-life related when recharging battery packs or waiting for the school run to begin. 

Better still, the Google Play store (your one-stop shop for in-car apps) is constantly being updated, with the Californian tech giant approving and adding new apps all the time. Soon, it will be possible to join Zoom calls and make the most of numerous productivity-boosting apps with a simple system update. 

That’s entertainment! 

When most people bring EVs to mind, they also think about lengthy charging stops. But the reality is, electric vehicle charging is required far less frequently than you’d expect and, with ultra-rapid charging capabilities, these breaks only take around half an hour or less. 

Regardless, that’s a great time to stretch your legs, grab a hot drink and settle in for an episode of your favourite TV show. Log in to Prime Video and binge some comedy, or open the YouTube app to catch up on your favourite motoring show. 

Tidal offers hi-fidelity music, perfect for blasting through Polestar 3’s bespoke Bowers & Wilkins audio system, while the likes of Sybel, Audible and Pocket Casts take care of your podcast and audiobook needs. 

If you want to switch off your brain for a few moments, there is a brace of bite-sized arcade games through the Gamesnacks app, as well as a number of more involving gaming titles that can be played in the Polestar 2 with a dedicated gaming controller, plugged in to one of the USB-C ports found in the cabin. 

Still too taxing? Why not start the Breathe app? It turns your car into a place of rest and relaxation. A simple, almost hypnotic animation of sweeping orange and black circles that combines minimalist visuals with calming therapeutic sounds, the app has become a popular download for Polestar drivers. 

Easy driver 

All Polestar’s come equipped with a plethora of displays that aim to make life on the road run as smoothly as possible, with a large landscape or portrait-orientated screen taking pride of place in the centre of the dash, bolstered by a 12.3" digital driver display in Polestar 2, a 9" display on Polestar 3, and a 10.2" display in Polestar 4, as well as the optional head-up display that’s beamed onto the windscreen (Polestar 3 and Polestar 4). 

These screens all serve dedicated functions, with the head-up display beaming the most important information in front of the driver, such as current speed, speed limit information and turn-by-turn directions when navigating. 

The driver’s display features preconfigured modes that provide the necessary information and nothing else. It can be set to show speed and battery status, navigation, or driver assistance information.  

By contrast, the centre display is the brains of the operation, acting as a central command centre to access a number of car and safety functions, tweak settings and suspension feel, as well as host all of the aforementioned digital entertainment offerings. 

This powerful system can remember the settings and preferences of up to six drivers, loading the correct seating and mirror positioning, as well as cueing up the most-used apps and favourite playlists. 

More importantly, the switch between Polestar’s menus and Google Play applications is seamless and akin to operating any other kind of tablet, meaning an alternative navigational tool, such as Waze, is only a swipe and a prod away. 

And if that wasn’t enough, Polestar 2, Polestar 3, and Polestar 4 also support Apple CarPlay, with Polestar 2 offering wired connection, while Polestar 4 comes with wireless connection and Polestar 3’s wireless offering coming soon. 

Learn more about Polestar 2's, Polestar 3's, and Polestar 4's infotainment systems.