Why Most EVs Feel Wrong to Drive | Joakim Rydholm on Steering, EVs & the Polestar 5

The Hyundai MetaPlant is a large manufacturing campus where Hyundai builds vehicles. In this segment, it’s described as a massive facility with multiple specialized production areas on-site.

This refers to an LG–Hyundai joint venture focused on producing Hyundai’s batteries at a dedicated battery plant. The host highlights the battery facility as a major, extremely large production operation within the campus.

A stamping press is a heavy industrial machine that forms sheet metal into parts using dies (tooling). In car plants, stamping presses are commonly used to make body panels and structural components.

The Ford Hamtrak Plant is referenced as a prior factory visit where the host heard and experienced stamping operations firsthand. It’s used as a comparison point to explain how loud and forceful stamping presses can be.

Ford’s F-150 is a full-size pickup truck, and the host is using it as an example of stamped body panels produced in a factory. The point here is the manufacturing process (stamping) and the extreme noise/scale, not driving the truck.

Boston Dynamics’ “robot dogs” are quadruped robots designed for dynamic movement and sensor-based inspection. In this segment, they’re used to inspect cars as they come off the production line, with cameras and other sensors mounted on the robot’s head/snouts.

This describes an automated quality-control step where robots check vehicles immediately after assembly. It’s typically done with cameras and other sensors to verify fit, alignment, and the presence/condition of components before the cars move on.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a modern battery-electric vehicle (EV) built on Hyundai’s dedicated EV platform. In this segment, it’s mentioned as one of the models being inspected/produced at the factory.

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is referenced here as another EV model produced at the same facility. The key point in this segment is production scale and what models are in the factory workflow, not detailed engineering.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a battery-electric crossover designed for everyday usability and efficient driving. It’s significant because it helped establish Hyundai’s EV lineup with a practical, modern package and strong charging/efficiency focus. It may be discussed in terms of production volume and the brand’s current EV strategy.

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is an upcoming or discussed EV model in Hyundai’s Ioniq lineup, positioned as a larger vehicle than the Ioniq 5. It’s mentioned in the context of Hyundai’s EV production plans and annual volume targets. In a podcast, it may come up as part of the brand’s roadmap for expanding its electric lineup.

“Body on frame” is a vehicle construction method where the body is mounted on a separate ladder-like frame. It’s common on trucks and off-road SUVs because it can handle heavy loads and uneven terrain, and it’s easier to build variants on the same underlying structure.

Kia is another large automaker in the Hyundai Motor Group, mentioned here alongside Hyundai in connection with upcoming “body on frame” vehicles. The point is that multiple brands in the group are planning truck/SUV-style architectures.

The Tesla Model S is a flagship electric sedan from Tesla, known for its long-range capability and performance-focused engineering. In this segment, it’s specifically tied to a Tesla factory visit, highlighting how Tesla’s production and delivery events are organized around the Model S (and the Model X).

The Tesla Model X is Tesla’s electric SUV, built around the same core EV platform philosophy as the Model S but packaged for a higher-riding, family-oriented body style. The segment mentions it in the context of a Tesla Fremont factory tour and a “Final Delivery Event,” emphasizing how Tesla markets and delivers these vehicles.

Tesla’s Fremont factory is a major EV manufacturing site in the U.S., historically associated with producing the Model S and Model X. In this segment, it’s the location for a tour and an event tied to production changes.

“Final Delivery Event” is Tesla’s internal/marketing-style name for a wrap-up moment when a specific production run or facility phase is ending. The host pairs it with “Sunset Event,” implying the factory area is being transitioned away from those models.

Optimus is Tesla’s humanoid robot program, intended for general-purpose tasks in industrial and potentially everyday settings. The segment suggests Tesla is repurposing parts of the Fremont facility to support Optimus production, which is a major shift from vehicle manufacturing.

Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” is an annual award from the automotive magazine Motor Trend. The hosts use it as a comparison point—framing an EV win as a major industry recognition.

Polestar is an EV brand focused on performance-oriented electric cars and driver feel, with models designed around chassis tuning and software-driven features. In this episode, the hosts bring in Polestar’s driving-dynamics leadership to discuss why many EVs feel “wrong” to drive.

Joachim Rydholm is Polestar’s head of driving dynamics, meaning he’s responsible for how the car behaves—steering feel, stability, and overall chassis tuning. That makes him a key source for the episode’s theme about why EV driving can feel off.

Driving dynamics is the set of engineering choices that determine how a car responds to steering, throttle, and braking—especially handling and stability. It covers things like steering calibration, suspension tuning, and how the car controls traction and balance.

The Ferrari Luce is a name that’s been discussed in the context of Ferrari’s future product planning and options strategy. It’s significant mainly as a rumored or referenced model name rather than a widely established, current production vehicle. In a podcast, it may be mentioned as part of a conversation about how buyers can configure cars with many options.

A “halo vehicle” is a flagship model meant to generate excitement and brand prestige, even if it isn’t the highest-volume product. The speaker uses it to explain why EVs with big budgets and attention can still get rejected if enthusiasts don’t like how they drive.

“Electric cars” refers to vehicles powered primarily by electric motors and a battery pack rather than a gasoline engine. The speaker frames EVs as the future and contrasts them with the need to move away from traditional combustion-engine design.

A “daily car” is the vehicle you rely on for everyday errands and commuting, not a weekend toy. The host’s point is that electric cars can feel better suited to this kind of use than they do for more traditional driving expectations.

In car culture, “heritage” refers to a brand or model’s history and reputation—often built through motorsport, iconic designs, and long-term ownership identity. The host suggests younger drivers may respond more favorably to EVs because they don’t feel the same emotional “history” tied to traditional brands like Ferrari.

Ferrari is an Italian performance brand famous for its iconic sports cars and motorsport legacy. Here, it’s used as an example of a traditional “historic” car that the host feels has a clear expected behavior—even though he says he’s never driven one personally.

The Tesla Cybertruck is a distinctive, angular EV pickup that stands out visually from most trucks. The hosts are pointing out that many people in the auto industry dislike it, while younger people may be drawn to its controversial, unconventional styling.

EV stands for electric vehicle, meaning the car is powered primarily by an electric motor and a battery rather than a gasoline engine. In this segment, the hosts are discussing how an “EV” version of a brand (they mention Ferrari) can clash with people’s expectations.

The Ferrari Testarossa (often misspoken as “Testerosa”) is a famous 1980s Ferrari supercar known for its iconic side strakes and wedge-like silhouette. The host is describing how the word “Ferrari” triggers a specific mental image of that classic design rather than the brand’s broader history.

An “EV brand” is a company identity built around electric vehicles, where design, messaging, and product feel are part of the brand promise. The host’s point is that if you’re marketing as an EV brand, you still need the car to look attractive and not alienate drivers.

The Volvo S80 is a mid-size luxury sedan from Volvo, mentioned here as an example of a particularly beautiful Volvo-era car. The host is using it to highlight the quality of Volvo’s design output during the period when Polestar’s leadership background intersected with Volvo.

The Polestar 5 is a Polestar flagship EV positioned as a performance-oriented grand tourer. It’s the follow-up to the Polestar 1, and the episode frames it as continuing the same “kind of car” idea while moving fully into the EV era.

The Ferrari F40 is a mid-1980s supercar known for its lightweight, race-bred attitude and brutally simple, analog driving feel. In this segment, it’s used as a benchmark for performance, with the hosts comparing the F40’s reputation to the EV’s acceleration numbers.

The Saab 900 is a classic compact car from Saab, known for its distinctive character and long production history. It’s significant because it represents one of Saab’s most recognizable model lines and a major part of the brand’s identity. It may be mentioned in a podcast as the first Saab someone worked on or as a reference point for their experience.

The Saab 9-2X is a compact performance-oriented car that was built in collaboration with Subaru, using Subaru’s core platform and mechanicals. It’s significant because it’s a Saab model that reflects the brand’s partnership era rather than a fully independent design. It may be discussed when someone asks whether Saab did engineering work on it or if it was mainly a body/branding adaptation.

A “turnkey project” means a complete, ready-to-use solution delivered with most of the work already done. In this context, it suggests Saab’s role in the 92X may have been more about adopting an existing base and delivering a finished product rather than starting from scratch.

The Saab 92X is a compact sport sedan/hatch that was built around Subaru’s WRX platform, so it shares a lot of the same core driving feel. In this segment, it’s mentioned as the first paid car review the speaker did, and it’s tied directly to having a WRX for comparison.

The Subaru WRX is a turbocharged performance compact known for its rally-bred all-wheel-drive traction and punchy response. Here, it’s used as the baseline the speaker already owned, which made reviewing the Saab 92X easier because of the shared platform/feel.

Volvo’s C30 drive-E refers to the C30 model fitted with Volvo’s “drive-E” engine family, which emphasized efficiency and modern turbocharged powertrains. In this segment, the speaker says they moved to Volvo and started working with C30 drive-E cars.

The Volvo S40 is a compact sedan from Volvo’s lineup, and it’s mentioned here as another “great car” the speaker worked with. The context is the speaker’s Volvo period after Saab, not a deep technical comparison.

Rolling resistance is the energy lost as a tire (or wheel) rolls along the road surface. It’s influenced by tire construction and how much the tire deforms, and it directly affects how much energy an EV needs to keep moving. Lower rolling resistance helps range, but you still need enough grip for safe braking and handling.

NVH stands for Noise, Vibration, and Harshness—how much unwanted sound, vibration, and harsh feel a vehicle transmits to occupants. Tire and wheel choices that reduce rolling resistance can sometimes increase vibration or noise, so engineers balance efficiency with NVH. The goal is a quiet, smooth ride while still keeping tires efficient.

The Volvo V40 is a compact hatchback that Volvo positioned as more than just practical transportation, aiming for a more engaging driving feel. In this segment, the speaker says this is where they started creating “driving performance,” tying the model to their work.

Torque distribution between the front and rear axles determines how much pulling force each axle gets. In an EV, that can be tuned to change traction, steering feel, and how the car rotates during cornering.

Shock absorbers (dampers) control how quickly the suspension compresses and rebounds over bumps. Their tuning affects ride quality and, more importantly for driving feel, how consistently the tires stay in contact with the road.

Shifting points are the engine/transmission timing thresholds that decide when to change gears or adjust drive modes. Even in EV contexts, the idea maps to how the car transitions between different torque delivery states to keep the feel smooth and predictable.

The Volvo V60 is a wagon (estate) that blends practical cargo space with Volvo’s comfort and driving dynamics. It’s often discussed because it’s a mainstream, versatile model that can be configured for different performance levels. In a podcast, it may come up as a “pool star” or a car someone drove and evaluated.

A six-cylinder engine (inline-six or V6) typically delivers power with a different torque curve and smoothness than a four-cylinder. In this segment, the guest argues that moving from six to four can still improve driving feel if the car is lighter and the torque delivery is tuned.

A four-cylinder engine has fewer cylinders than a six-cylinder, which often changes how power is produced and how the engine package affects weight distribution. The guest’s takeaway is that even with fewer cylinders, careful tuning and reduced front weight can improve steering agility.

“Lift the car one level” here is describing an improvement in the car’s dynamic tier—how much more agile and responsive it feels. The guest attributes that to the switch to a four-cylinder setup that reduced weight and improved steering behavior.

“Went sideways” describes a loss of directional control where the car rotates so the tires slip laterally. The guest is contrasting handling behavior—suggesting the six-cylinder setup produced a tendency to rotate in an undesirable way compared with U.S.-market cars.

BTCC refers to the British Touring Car Championship, a major UK touring-car racing series. It’s relevant here because Polestar’s early identity is described as coming from racing in that kind of competition.

Software tuning means changing a car’s electronic control settings—like engine management—to alter performance. In this segment, it’s described as Polestar doing tuning work for Volvo, including upgrades that could be purchased and installed.

A tuning “chip” is an aftermarket electronic module used to change how the engine control system behaves. The host describes it as something you could buy and install as part of performance tuning.

AMG is Mercedes-AMG, the performance division known for high-output engines and sport-tuned models. The host uses AMG as a comparison point to describe Polestar’s role for Volvo—step-by-step becoming Volvo’s performance brand equivalent.

M Sport is BMW’s performance and motorsport-oriented branding, associated with sport-tuned versions and handling packages. Here, it’s mentioned alongside AMG as a reference for what Polestar’s performance role felt like within Volvo’s lineup.

The Volvo S60 Polestar is a performance-focused version of Volvo’s S60, tuned by Polestar for sharper steering and driving feel. In this segment, it’s used as an example of how Polestar’s early work translated into real on-road speed and handling improvements.

The Polestar 1 is a high-performance Polestar flagship that helped define the brand’s early EV/plug-in hybrid performance identity. Here it’s specifically called out for delivering “actual horsepower” and very high torque, which changes how the car feels compared with earlier Volvo/Polestar-tuned models.

Horsepower is an engineering measure of how much power an engine or motor can produce. In EV discussions, it’s often used alongside torque because horsepower relates more to how strongly the car can keep pulling at higher speeds, while torque is what you feel immediately during acceleration.

Laguna Seca is a famous road course in California known for its challenging layout and elevation changes. Using lap-time comparisons there (like to an Audi R8) is a common way to argue that a car’s performance and balance are genuinely impressive, not just marketing claims.

The Audi R8 is a performance supercar known for its mid-engine layout and track-capable dynamics. In this segment, it’s used as a benchmark for lap speed around Laguna Seca to emphasize that the Volvo S60 Polestar concept was genuinely quick.

0-60 mph is a common acceleration benchmark: how many seconds it takes a car to go from standing still to 60 miles per hour. It’s useful for comparing straight-line speed, but it doesn’t tell you how the car feels when braking, turning, and exiting a corner.

“First corner” here refers to the earliest turning phase after initial acceleration—when steering response, balance, traction, and confidence all show up immediately. The host’s point is that true “performance” isn’t just fast acceleration; it’s how composed and smile-worthy the car feels right away when you turn.

The Volvo P1800 is a classic Volvo sports coupe known for its distinctive styling and long-running enthusiast popularity. It’s often sought after because it’s a relatively rare, iconic model compared with more common Volvo cars.

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (often called the Evo 10) is a rally-bred performance sedan known for its turbocharged all-wheel-drive grip. The “Rally Art Spec” refers to a factory-backed rally-oriented trim/package associated with Mitsubishi’s rally branding.

A “flathead” refers to a flathead engine design where the cylinders are arranged in a flat layout. In hot-rod culture, flathead V8s are especially popular because they’re compact, simple, and have a huge aftermarket for performance builds.

“Open wheels” describes a layout where the wheels are not covered by bodywork, so you can clearly see the tires and suspension components. It’s common on certain classic roadsters and race-inspired designs, and it visually emphasizes the car’s mechanical “presence.”

“Matching numbers” means the car’s major components (most often the engine and sometimes the transmission/body-related identifiers) have the same serial-number markings as when the vehicle left the factory. For classic cars, it’s a big authenticity and value signal because it suggests the car hasn’t been heavily swapped or rebuilt with different parts.

The Nürburgring is a famous motorsports circuit in Germany, best known for the Nordschleife (“North Loop”) with its long, twisty layout and big elevation changes. It’s commonly used by enthusiasts and automakers as a benchmark for how well cars handle and how quickly they can lap.

The BMW M4 is a performance version of BMW’s 4 Series, built by BMW M to deliver a more track-focused driving feel than a standard 4 Series. In enthusiast circles, it’s often discussed alongside other German track-capable cars because it balances power with a sporty chassis setup.

The Chevrolet Corvette is America’s long-running sports car, known for its strong V8 heritage and performance reputation. In the transcript, it’s used as an example of a “huge” American car that shows up in Sweden’s enthusiast scene.

The BMW M2 is BMW M’s smaller, more compact performance coupe compared with the M4. It’s known for being a driver-focused “enthusiast” BMW, often chosen for its nimble size and sporty steering feel.

“Muscle cars” are American performance cars from the mid-20th century onward, typically characterized by large engines (often V8s) and strong acceleration. The term also carries a cultural vibe—big, loud, and focused on straight-line power.

A V8 is an engine configuration with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. It’s strongly associated with American muscle and traditional performance because it can produce lots of power and torque.

The Audi Quattro refers to Audi’s iconic all-wheel-drive system and the cars built around it. It’s significant because it helped establish Audi’s reputation in motorsport and performance driving, especially during the era when rally success mattered. In a podcast, it may be mentioned when discussing a driver’s connection to the Quattro and its competitive history.

“Steering wheel feedback” is the information transmitted through the steering wheel about what the tires and suspension are doing. The guest wants the driver to feel differences in grip and surface (ice, hot asphalt, gravel, wet roads) so the car communicates traction and handling changes clearly. In an EV context, this is especially important because the power delivery and torque response can feel different than in a traditional car.

This describes a coordinated “feel” target: the steering’s turn-in response should line up with how the drivetrain’s torque increases. The guest argues that if the car responds in one direction (steering/handling) while torque increases in a mismatched way, the driver loses confidence. It’s essentially about making the car’s dynamics communicate consistently through both steering and power delivery.

A roll bar (anti-roll bar) is a torsion bar that resists body roll when the car corners. Changing how it’s set up—like the “pushing” at the roll bar in the rear—can alter how forces transfer into the suspension, which then changes steering response and feel.

Bushings are rubber (or elastomer) mounts that connect suspension components while allowing controlled movement. Their stiffness affects how much the suspension “gives” before forces reach the chassis, which can directly change steering feel and how the car responds over bumps.

“Steering feel” is the subjective feedback you get through the steering wheel—how quickly the car responds, how much effort it takes, and how smoothly it communicates grip and road surface. It’s influenced by suspension geometry, compliance in bushings, and how the chassis loads transfer during cornering and bumps.

Pitch is the up-and-down rotation of the car’s body around its lateral axis—think nose diving or lifting when you hit a bump or brake/accelerate. Tuning aims to control pitch so the suspension can absorb the input and then return to a stable attitude.

A “mule phase” is an early development stage where engineers test prototypes using a test vehicle (often with key components from the target car) before the final production systems are ready. The point is to validate fundamentals like ride and handling behavior before layering in complex controls.

The Polestar 2 is an all-electric performance-oriented sedan from Polestar. It’s often discussed in engineering contexts because it’s a platform where suspension tuning and ride/handling balance are key development topics. In the podcast, it sounds like the conversation involved testing different suspension components to achieve the right feel.

Electronic stability systems are driver-assistance and vehicle-control technologies designed to keep the car from sliding or spinning during loss-of-grip situations. They typically use sensors plus braking and/or power management to help the car follow the driver’s intended path.

Dampers (shock absorbers) control how quickly the suspension compresses and rebounds after hitting bumps. Their tuning strongly affects ride quality and steering stability, because it changes how the tires maintain contact with the road.

In modern cars, tuning software refers to the calibration of control systems—how the car’s computers translate driver inputs into actions. For EVs, it often coordinates steering assist, braking response, and traction/torque behavior.

Polestar 5 is an EV where the driving “feel” is treated like a system: steering, braking, and chassis control have to work together. The host argues that when those elements are tuned to behave predictably, the car feels balanced and confident in real driving.

Brake by wire replaces a direct mechanical/hydraulic link between the brake pedal and the brakes with electronic control. The pedal input is interpreted by the car, and actuators manage hydraulic pressure to achieve consistent, repeatable braking response.

Electric power steering (EPS) uses an electric motor to assist the driver’s steering effort instead of a hydraulic pump. Because the assist is controlled electronically, engineers can shape steering “feel” by changing how much help is added versus speed and input.

“Hardware versus software” in vehicle development refers to how much of a car’s driving feel and behavior comes from physical components (hardware) versus electronic control logic and calibration (software). In modern cars, software can significantly shape response—especially when the underlying chassis and tuning baseline is already solid.

The “elk test” is a standardized obstacle-avoidance maneuver used to evaluate a car’s handling and stability during sudden steering inputs. It’s closely related to the Swedish moose test concept—both involve rapidly swerving to avoid an animal-like obstacle and then returning to the lane.

ESC (electronic stability control) is a driver-assist system that helps keep the car from sliding out of its intended path. It uses sensors to detect loss of traction or yaw (turning) and then selectively applies brakes and/or reduces engine torque to regain stability.

A “double lane change” is a specific steering pattern used in handling tests: the driver swerves to one side and then quickly returns to the original lane. It stresses transient stability—how the car behaves during rapid left-right weight transfer.

The “Moose test” is a standardized vehicle handling test that simulates a sudden obstacle-avoidance maneuver. A car is driven into a quick steering input and then steered back, checking whether it can stay stable without excessive body motion or rollover risk.

“Roll over” here refers to a rollover event during an aggressive maneuver, where the vehicle tips enough to lose contact with the road. In handling tests like the Moose test, rollover risk can increase if the car’s suspension geometry and stability control can’t manage the lateral forces.