The Polestar 5 is the clearest demonstration yet of how far the electric brand has come since separating from Volvo in 2017, delivering a brilliant grand tourer capable of giving the Porsche Taycan and Lotus Emeya plenty to worry about. You’ll need to fork out a bit extra to really experience all that it has to offer, though. 

More than five metres long and almost unchanged from the striking Precept concept, the 5 is a sleek four-door electric flagship with enormous performance regardless of which version you choose. The Dual Motor produces 550kW and 812Nm, sending drive to all four wheels and launching from 0-100km/h in around 3.8 seconds. The Performance takes things even further, pumping out approximately 650kW and dropping the sprint to about 3.2 seconds.

Rear view of a silver electric sedan driving on a rural road, UK plate OV76 CXG.
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Both are brutally fast, but outright acceleration isn’t the biggest reason to shell out more for the Performance. Its real party trick is a set of MagneRide adaptive dampers, teamed with a 6mm lower ride height and larger wheels.

In their softest setting, the dampers do a remarkable job of smothering broken surfaces, even on 22-inch wheels, without allowing the big Polestar to become floaty. Firmer settings tighten the body control noticeably, giving the tourer an impressive breadth of ability.

The standard car remains entertaining, with sharp steering, strong brakes and excellent stability, although its ride can become more unsettled over poor surfaces. There’s plenty of stopping power, while adjustable regenerative braking ranges from an engine-braking-like setting to genuine one-pedal operation.

Performance models are capable of around 250km/h, but range will depend heavily on how often you exploit their considerable power. The Performance has a claimed WLTP range of approximately 558km, but gentler driving and the standard Dual Motor should stretch that considerably further.

Luxurious car cabin with a large vertical touchscreen, digital dashboard, and leather seats awaiting driver interaction.
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Charging is a highlight. The 112kWh battery, of which 94kWh is usable, supports DC charging at up to 350kW. Polestar claims a 10 to 80 per cent recharge will take 22 minutes.

Inside, the 5 largely lives up to its flagship billing. Material quality is excellent, the seats are supportive and a huge two-metre panoramic glass roof floods the cabin with light. There’s no conventional rear window, but the digital rear-view mirror works well and visibility is surprisingly good.

The minimalist approach isn’t always successful, however. Too many functions are buried in the central touchscreen, including adjustments for the mirrors and steering wheel. The Android-based infotainment system itself is responsive, with Google Maps, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are other imperfections, including road noise from the wide rear tyres and occasional frustration with the driver-assistance systems, but they don’t undermine what is an impressive debut.

Back seats of a luxury car with black leather upholstery and bright yellow seat belts.
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Passenger space is generous thanks to the enormous wheelbase, although Polestar describes the layout as a 4+1 rather than a true five-seater. The raised centre-rear position is best reserved for shorter trips. Boot capacity is a relatively modest 365 litres, supplemented by a useful 62-litre frunk, while braked towing capacity is 1800kg.

The Dual Motor variant is expected to sell for $171,100 before on-road costs when it arrives in Australia, with the Performance version, complete with those wonderful MagneRide dampers, going for $193,100 before on-roads.

The Polestar 5 is fast, luxurious and genuinely entertaining. And while the Dual Motor is hardly lacking, the Performance’s superb MagneRide suspension turns this striking electric GT into a genuine Porsche Taycan rival.