Polestar has picked up a shiny new trophy for teaching your car which lane you’re in, and the 32 European motoring journalists who handed it over seem genuinely impressed.
The Swedish EV maker has received the AUTOBEST “SMARTBEST 2026” award for its integration of Google Maps’ live lane guidance directly into the Polestar 4’s driver display. The award, presented at a ceremony in Vienna on March 19, recognises “smart connected technologies that significantly enhance the driving experience.”
The AUTOBEST jury called Polestar’s innovation “a significant step forward in intelligent onboard navigation and driver assistance technology.” Which is a lot of words for “it tells you when to change lanes without you having to squint at your phone.”
How It Works
Polestar is the first automotive manufacturer to integrate Google Maps’ live lane guidance into the driver display. The system uses Google’s AI and one of the Polestar 4’s forward-facing cameras to detect which lane the car is in by analysing road markings and signs.
Above: Lexus GX550 Review
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ABOVE: Polestar 4 lane guidance display, award ceremony, Polestar 4 exterior
What It Does
The feature displays all available lanes for the chosen route on the 10.2-inch driver display, showing which lane the car is currently in. Visual and audio reminders help drivers change lanes in time, taking some of the stress out of complex highway interchanges and rush-hour traffic. It’s particularly useful for those moments when you’ve missed the sign and your nav is screaming “turn left in 50 metres” while you’re stuck in the right lane behind a caravan.
Australia Will Have to Wait
The feature is currently available only in the US and Sweden, with more markets and road types coming via over-the-air updates throughout 2026. Polestar hasn’t confirmed when Australian drivers will see the functionality, which is disappointing given how many of our highway merges seem to have been designed by someone who hates motorists.
“We are delighted by the AUTOBEST SMARTBEST 2026 award,” said Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller, who was present at the Vienna ceremony on March 19. “A well-deserved recognition of the work from our dedicated R&D specialists and a testament to our successful and long-standing partnership with Google.”
The Polestar 4 has been racking up awards lately, adding to its growing trophy cabinet. At this rate, they’re going to need a bigger mantlepiece.
More Polestar Stories
- Polestar 5 Australia Tour: Five Years Down, and the Swedish Stallion Finally Grows Up
- Polestar 5 Proves Pretty Performance Can Be Planet-Proof
- 2026 Polestar 4 Fixes all the Annoying Bugs
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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