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Polestar’s latest offering, the Polestar 5, arrives as a bold statement of what can be achieved when a manufacturer pours a generous budget into a single model. The company’s ambition is clear: create a grand‑touring electric sedan that feels as dynamic as it is luxurious, and that can stand toe‑to‑toe with the likes of Porsche’s Tyon and Audi’s RS GT. The result is a vehicle that blends a striking design, a high‑performance powertrain, and a cabin that feels both premium and purposeful.
The Polestar 5 Concept and Design Philosophy
Polestar began developing the Polestar 5 about five years ago, establishing a bespoke base in the United Kingdom to craft a chassis that would be “one of the car industry’s most unique.” The heart of that uniqueness lies in a bonded aluminium platform and body structure, a construction that delivers stiffness without the usual trade‑offs of a heavy, rigid frame. The result is a 2.5‑tonne car that feels supple on the road while maintaining the sharpness expected of a GT vehicle.
Externally, the Polestar 5 adopts the brand’s current design language: a clean, almost austere silhouette with a low bonnet and a distinctive absence of a rear window. The white and black colour options highlight the car’s sculpted lines, though the black version may feel “sinister” to some. Inside, the design is equally purposeful, with a vertical touch‑screen that remains visible at all times and a discrete bar for climate control that never disappears.
Powertrain and Performance
The Polestar 5 is offered in two main variants: a long‑range dual‑motor model and a performance‑focused version that steps the power up to 650 kW. The base long‑range model delivers 550 kW, while the performance version adds an extra 100 kW, bringing the 0‑100 km/h time down from 3.9 to 3.2 seconds. The rear motor, a Polestar‑designed unit, produces 450 kW and 660 Nm of torque, while the front motor adds another 100 kW.
Charging is a highlight: the car can be topped up from 10 % to 80 % in just 22 minutes on a 350 kW charger, averaging around 213 kW. AC charging is modest at 11 kW, but the high‑capacity 112 kWh NMC battery promises up to 678 km of WLTP range when driven modestly. On more demanding, hilly roads, consumption climbs to roughly 20 kWh per 100 km.
Driving Dynamics and Handling
Polestar has invested heavily in the suspension, offering a passive steel setup in the long‑range model and a sophisticated Magnaride system in the performance version. The Magnaride, shared with Lamborghini’s Rev‑E, allows drivers to switch between firm, nimble, or standard modes via the touch‑screen, giving the car a versatile feel that can adapt to both smooth highways and rough country roads.
Handling is a standout. The bonded aluminium chassis keeps the car rigid, while the steering remains responsive without being overly “hair‑trigger.” The Polestar 5 can under‑steer under hard cornering, but the steering quickly recovers, and the front end’s grip is comparable to that of the Tyon and RS GT. The braking system, featuring Brembo four‑piston calipers and regenerative braking, feels almost indistinguishable from a well‑tuned combustion engine, offering precise modulation and a smooth pedal feel.
Interior, Comfort, and Technology
The cabin is a study in luxury and sustainability. Seats are made from Ricaro‑produced sustainable Nappa leather, and the rear seats offer five‑way massage, heating, and cooling—more than the front. The car’s low‑profile battery creates a foot‑cutout that gives rear passengers ample legroom, a feature often missing in other low‑riding EVs.
Materials throughout the interior are high‑quality: real metals, open‑pore wood, and aluminium accents. The sound system can be upgraded to a Bowers & Wilkins high‑end stereo for an additional $8,800, but even the standard audio is praised for its clarity. The car’s glass roof is a practical choice, though in hot climates a sunshade may be necessary.
Value, Competition, and Verdict
At an on‑road price of around $171,000, the Polestar 5 sits just below the Porsche Tyon and Audi RS GT, offering similar performance and range at a lower cost. While the Polestar’s interior and driving dynamics are highly praised, some features—such as the lack of a spare wheel and the modest boot capacity (365 L)—may be seen as compromises.
Polestar’s engineering, especially the bonded aluminium platform and the sophisticated suspension, gives the car a distinctive character that rivals the more established German and Italian brands. For buyers seeking a grand‑touring electric sedan that feels as dynamic as it is luxurious, the Polestar 5 presents a compelling proposition.
Ultimately, the Polestar 5 proves that a well‑engineered electric GT can deliver both performance and comfort without the premium price tag of its competitors. Its blend of design, technology, and driving feel makes it a standout in the growing electric luxury segment.