The Art of Choosing (and Letting Go): A Luxury Problem in the EV World

It’s that time of the decade again. My wife has the green light to order her new company car.

If you are anything like me—a car enthusiast—you know this is a rare moment of pure joy. Configuring a brand-new vehicle that barely costs you anything personally feels like cheating the system. Let’s be honest: this is the definition of a luxury problem. We both work hard for what we have, but stressing about which premium EV to order—knowing it won’t cost us a single Euro—is a privilege. There are far worse things in life to worry about, and we are very aware of that.

Just like me, she is restricted to fully electric vehicles. The timing is perfect: the Brussels Motor Show is happening right now, which means discounts, free option packs, and cars that were previously out of reach suddenly fitting into the budget.

She currently drives a Ford Mustang Mach-E. A car that carries the Mustang name, but in my opinion, never really should have. But that’s a discussion for another day. Now, it’s time for something new.

The "List" Frustration

It started with "The List." The leasing company divides brands into categories based on sustainability, ranging from "Top Recommended" to "Brands to Avoid."

My wife’s immediate reaction was priceless: "Why do they even put brands on the list if they advise you to avoid them?" She’s right. It’s corporate logic at its finest. But we navigated through it and ended up with three main contenders: BMW, Volvo, and Polestar.

The Illusion of the Perfect Spec

First up was the BMW iX3. On paper, this was the winner. She loved her old BMW X1, and the claimed range of 810 km sounded like a dream. But when we opened the configurator, the dream collapsed. The car fit the budget, but only just. It meant driving a "naked" BMW—no options, no heated seats, no luxury. Driving a premium car with zero premium features just feels... wrong. So, the BMW was out.

The Battle of Head vs. Heart

This left us with the real showdown: The Volvo EC40 vs. The Polestar 4.

This is where it gets difficult for me. I am a Polestar fanboy. I drove a Polestar 2 Launch Edition for two years and loved every second of it. However, my wife has a different memory of that car. It was our very first EV. Back then, 417 hp didn't feel like a car to her; it felt like being launched in a rollercoaster. It was intimidating. Fast forward to today? She refuses to drive a car without the instant torque and one-pedal driving she once feared. It’s funny how quickly we adapt.

The Polestar 4 is a stunning piece of tech. Thanks to the Motor Show discounts, she can get it almost fully loaded. But there is one massive psychological hurdle: The missing rear window. Polestar replaced the rear glass with a camera feed. To me? Cool innovation. To her? A trust issue. Relying 100% on a screen to see what’s behind you takes a leap of faith she isn’t sure she wants to take.

On the other side, we have the Volvo EC40. It’s the safe choice. It’s built right here in Belgium (Ghent), which gives it a sense of local pride. It’s comfortable, familiar, and predictable. She can tick every single option box, including her non-negotiable requirement: a heated steering wheel.

The Weekend Plan: See and Feel

We are heading to the dealerships this weekend. We might test drive them, or we might not. The goal isn't necessarily to drive—we know how EVs drive—but to see and feel the cars. Does the interior feel right? Is the lack of a rear window in the Polestar really as scary as it sounds, or does it feel natural once you sit in the driver's seat? Does the Volvo feel like "home" or does it feel dated?

She has promised to give the Polestar a fair and honest chance, despite her reservations. And that is all I can ask for.

Respecting the Choice

I still have two years left on my Audi Q8 e-tron. On paper, it was the perfect car for me. In reality? It was a mistake. I chose it for the specs, not the feeling, and I regret it often.

Because of that mistake, I am very careful not to push my wife too hard. I will absolutely have my say—I wouldn't be me if I didn't give my input—but I fully respect that this is her car. She has to drive it every day to work. She has to be comfortable parking it. She has to trust it.

📝 Lessons Learned

This whole process reminded me of a few things:

• Gratitude: It is important to step back and realize that choosing between two brand-new cars is a good problem to have.

• Specs don't tell the whole story: A car with an 810 km range is useless if you hate sitting inside it because it has no options. The experience trumps the numbers.

• Innovation requires trust: Just like one-pedal driving, removing a rear window feels wrong until it becomes normal. But you can't force someone to make that leap before they are ready.

• Ownership of choice: I made a mistake with my Q8. I have to live with it. My wife needs to make her own choice so she can own the outcome—whether good or bad.

I’ll keep you posted on whether logic (Volvo) or emotion (Polestar) wins after this weekend.

Cheers,
Peter