Polestar Overtakes Tesla and Volkswagen in Sweden With a Surprise December EV Rally

Polestar delivered one of the biggest shocks in Sweden’s electric vehicle market in December, as the Polestar 4 surged past both Tesla and Volkswagen in monthly registrations.

A sharp late-year spike, driven by aggressive private leasing offers and immediate vehicle availability, propelled the unconventional, rear-windowless EV into second place nationwide for December, trailing only Volvo.

Polestar 4 Surges Past Tesla and VW

Even before December concluded, Polestar had already registered 709 units of the Polestar 4 in Sweden. That figure alone exceeded the model’s combined registrations from October and November, which totaled 606 vehicles.

The surge pushed the Polestar 4 ahead of:

• Tesla Model Y

• Volkswagen ID.7

According to Swedish registration data cited by CarUp, only the Volvo EX40 recorded higher EV registrations during the same period.

The result marked one of the most unexpected turnarounds in Sweden’s EV market in 2025, especially considering Polestar’s relatively modest performance earlier in the autumn.

Design That Stands Out in a Crowded Market

Beyond pricing, the Polestar 4’s distinctive design helped it stand apart in a segment dominated by familiar SUV shapes. The absence of a traditional rear window — replaced by a digital rear-view camera system — has been controversial, but it clearly did not deter buyers during the December sales rush.

In fact, the bold design may have enhanced the model’s appeal among early adopters looking for something different from mainstream electric crossovers.

Aggressive Leasing Campaign Fuels Demand

The primary catalyst behind the December spike appears to have been a highly competitive private leasing campaign.

While the Polestar 4 typically lists at close to 800,000 SEK, select Long Range Single Motor versions were offered at dramatically reduced monthly lease rates. In some cases, in-stock vehicles were available from just 5,995 SEK per month.

Key elements of the offer included:

• 36-month lease terms

• Up to 4,500 km per year, higher than many private lease limits

• Vehicles are often equipped with Plus and Pilot packages

Premium Features at a Lower Monthly Cost

Despite the reduced lease price, many campaign vehicles came generously equipped, including:

• Head-up display

• Harman Kardon premium audio

• Pixel LED headlights with adaptive high beam

• Hands-free electric tailgate

• Heated rear seats and steering wheel

• Three-zone climate control

Advanced driver assistance features such as Pilot Assist and Lane Change Assist were also included in several configurations.

Strong Range and Fast Charging Seal the Deal

The Polestar 4’s technical credentials further strengthened its value proposition:

• Up to 620 km WLTP range

• 10–80% fast charging in just over 30 minutes

Combined with immediate availability and aggressive pricing, these factors proved enough to rapidly shift consumer demand in a mature and highly competitive EV market like Sweden.

Big Picture

Polestar’s December rally demonstrates how pricing strategy, inventory readiness, and targeted leasing offers can quickly reshape market dynamics — even in regions where EV adoption is already advanced.

By briefly leapfrogging Tesla and Volkswagen, Polestar showed that timing and value can matter just as much as brand power, and that Sweden’s EV buyers remain highly responsive to compelling, well-packaged deals.