Introduction to the Polestar 5
In 2021, the automotive world witnessed the launch of the Porsche Taycan and its closely related sibling, the Audi e-tron GT. This marked the beginning of a new era for large, powerful pure-electric four-door GTs. The Polestar 5 was expected to join this lineup around the same time. However, the global pandemic disrupted these plans, and it wasn’t until 2026 that the Polestar 5 finally made its debut.
The Polestar 5 immediately positions itself among the heavyweights in the luxury electric vehicle market, including models like the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE. It comes in two variants: the Dual Motor priced at $171,100 and the Performance variant at $193,100 (before on-road costs).
Design and Dimensions
Due to be available in Australian showrooms during the second half of the year, the Polestar 5 is very close in design to the Polestar Precept concept that was unveiled back in 2020. At nearly 5.1 meters long, just over 2.0 meters wide, and slightly over 1.4 meters tall with a 2970mm wheelbase, the Polestar 5 is a confidently sleek machine with a broad stance and an ultra-slippery 0.24 drag coefficient.
The car is built on the bonded aluminium ‘Polestar Performance Architecture’ platform and features all-alloy body panels to reduce weight and enhance torsional rigidity. Despite this, the kerb weight remains at 2.5 tonnes.
Interior Features
The interior of the Polestar 5 embodies Scandinavian minimalism but does not compromise on practicality. It includes generous door bins, a large central box, cupholders, and wireless charging. The beautifully sculpted seats have been developed in collaboration with German specialist Recaro, while the split-level dash is dominated by a central 14.5-inch portrait media screen, complemented by a 9.0-inch driver display behind the wheel and a 9.5-inch head-up display. The overall look is cool and clean.
Standard equipment highlights include a vast panoramic glass roof, top-end audio (up to a 21-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system), adaptive cruise, Pixel LED headlights, ambient cabin lighting, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, and four-zone climate control.
Seating and Storage
There is ample space up front, and the back seat is impressive as well. The Polestar 5 is positioned as a ‘4+1’ car, allowing for a fifth passenger on shorter journeys. The enormous rear centre armrest/storage unit lifts up to a vertical position when needed. As someone who is 183cm tall, I found there was plenty of legroom, headroom (helped by the height of the panoramic roof), and storage in the doors, as well as vents in the back of the front centre console and the B-pillar, along with hard shell map pockets in the seatbacks.
Boot Space and Charging
The boot space is passable at 365 litres with the rear seats upright (including 52 litres under the floor), expanding to 1128 litres when the seats are folded. There is also 62L in the frunk. However, there is no spare tire, just a tire repair kit, which is not ideal.
Both grades are powered by dual permanent magnet synchronous motors. The entry-grade Dual Motor delivers 550kW/812Nm, while the Performance model offers 650kW/1015Nm. The drive battery in both models is a 112kWh lithium-ion pack, supporting DC charging at up to 350kW for a 10-80% charge in as little as 22 minutes.
Performance and Driving Experience
The WLTP combined cycle energy consumption is around 18kWh/100km for the Dual Motor and just under 21kWh/100km for the Performance, resulting in official ranges of 670km and 565km respectively. The rear motor of the Polestar 5 disconnects when not required for increased efficiency.
Behind the wheel, even the entry-grade Dual Motor can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds, while the Performance model achieves this in a remarkable 3.2 seconds. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres are designed specifically for the chosen Polestar 5 wheel combinations, ranging from 21 inches on the Dual Motor to 22 inches on the Performance.
Comfort and Handling
The Polestar 5 features Active Road Noise Cancellation, and the slippery shape ensures virtually no wind noise, even at highway speeds. The suspension is by double wishbones front and rear, with ‘MagneRide’ adaptive suspension in the Performance model. During a roughly 300km drive from Gothenburg to Copenhagen, the Dual Motor handled bumpy and patched sections effortlessly.
The steering is accurate and quick to respond, adjustable through three modes, though road feel remains in the middle. There are three levels of regenerative braking, with the most aggressive being a single-pedal mode that pulls the car up rapidly.
Braking and Safety Features
The physical brakes feature Brembo lightweight 400mm two-piece discs up front clamped by four-piston calipers, providing strong deceleration. The Polestar 5 uses the same camera-based virtual rearview mirror as the Polestar 4, which takes some getting used to due to the lack of depth of field.
The car has a turning circle of 12.3 metres, making it less suitable for parking and maneuvering in smaller spaces. Active crash-avoidance tech is extensive, featuring 11 HD cameras, a driver monitoring camera, a mid-range radar, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Everything from blind spot monitoring and lane keeping assist to rear cross-traffic alert and tyre pressure monitoring is present and correct, along with eight airbags if a crash is unavoidable.
Warranty and After-Sales Support
The Polestar 5 comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, including roadside assist. The traction battery is covered for eight years/160,000km, and there’s a 12-year corrosion warranty.
Verdict
Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller has positioned the 5 as “our brand on wheels” because it stands for Scandinavian design, performance, and sustainability. While he is happy with it being a small volume halo car, the Polestar 5 has the performance, dynamics, and practicality to give those German big guns a more affordable EV GT headache.
