Polestar receives AUTOBEST ‘SMARTBEST 2026’ award for Google Maps’ live lane guidance integration in Polestar 4
Polestar’s strategy to continuously upgrade its cars with new software-driven features as they become available has once again been internationally recognised.
This time, by the independent AUTOBEST European jury, composed of motoring journalists from 32 European countries, which has awarded Polestar “SMARTBEST 2026” for its integration of Google Maps’ live lane guidance in the US and Sweden directly into the driver display of Polestar 4. Statement of the jury: “The SMARTBEST 2026 Award goes to Polestar for the integration of Google Maps’ live lane guidance directly into the driver display, debuting on the Polestar 4. The AUTOBEST jury recognised this innovation as a significant step forward in intelligent onboard navigation and driver assistance technology.”
Michael Lohscheller, Polestar CEO, who was present at the award ceremony in Vienna on March 19, says: “We are delighted by the AUTOBEST SMARTBEST 2026 award.
“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. Important factors behind Polestar’s leading edge in-car technology, benefitting all our customers.” Polestar is the first automotive OEM to integrate Google Maps’ live lane guidance, an innovation for cars with Google built-in that helps drivers stay on course in the right lane with ease, while navigating complex highways.
Combined with Google Maps’ industry-leading navigation capabilities and AI, live lane guidance delivers visual and audio reminders that help drivers change lanes in time. Drivers experience the feature in a new interface that highlights all possible lanes for the chosen route, including which lane the car is in.
Polestar is the first automotive OEM to integrate Google Maps’ live lane guidance into the driver display in one of its vehicles. The innovation for cars with Google built-in will help drivers stay on course with ease while navigating complex highways and intense rush-hour traffic.
Google Maps’ live lane guidance brings a new navigation experience directly to the 10.2-inch driver display in Polestar 4. The feature detects which lane the car is in by using Google’s advanced AI in the vehicle to analyse elements on the road, like lane markings and road signs, captured by one of the forward-facing cameras in Polestar 4.
Combined with Google Maps’ industry-leading navigation capabilities, the system delivers visual and audio reminders that help drivers change lanes in time. Drivers experience the feature in a new visualisation that highlights all possible lanes for the chosen route, including which lane the car is in.
Polestar’s integration of Google Maps’ live lane guidance for highways is part of Polestar’s promise to continuously upgrade cars with innovative features as they become available through over-the-air updates. Rolling out in 2026, it is initially available for Polestar 4 vehicles in the US and Sweden – and will reach more markets, road types and customers in the future. Polestar is the Swedish electric performance car brand with a focus on uncompromised design and innovation, and the ambition to accelerate the change towards a sustainable future.
Headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, its cars are available in 28 markets globally across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Polestar has four models in its line-up: Polestar 2, Polestar 3, Polestar 4, and Polestar 5. Planned models include the Polestar 7 compact SUV (to be introduced in 2028) and the Polestar 6 roadster. With its vehicles currently manufactured on two continents, North America and Asia, Polestar plans to diversify its manufacturing footprint further, with production of Polestar 7 planned in Europe.
Polestar has an unwavering commitment to sustainability and has set an ambitious roadmap to reach its climate targets: halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 per-vehicle-sold and become climate-neutral across its value chain by 2040. Polestar’s comprehensive sustainability strategy covers the four areas of Climate, Transparency, Circularity, and Inclusion. This press release contains statements that are not historical facts, but rather forward-looking statements within the meaning of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such forward-looking statements include those that address activities, events or developments that Polestar or its management believes or anticipates may occur in the future. All forward-looking statements are based upon, as applicable, our current expectations, various assumptions and data available from third parties. Their expectations and assumptions are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them.
However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will materialize or prove to be correct as forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual future results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements, including those risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Polestar’s Form 20-F, and other documents filed, or to be filed, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by Polestar.
For any forward-looking statements contained in this or any other document, we claim the protection of the safe harbour for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we assume no obligation to update publicly or revise any such statements in light of new information or future events, except as required by law.