Pros: Gorgeous looks, high-quality cabin, performance, driving experience
Cons: Boot could be bigger, no rear window
Polestar 5 Design
Pictures don’t do justice to the lithe, sleek shape of the Polestar 5. In person it feels impossibly low at the front and wide at the rear, punctuated by distinctive LED lighting and a technical approach to the surfacing. It’s actually a little longer than the Porsche Taycan.
The Performance version is differentiated by a choice of two gorgeous designs of forged-alloy wheels, with ‘Swedish Gold’ brake callipers behind.
Go for one of the matte-effect paints for maximum presence.
Polestar 5 Interior
Drivers that prefer the low-set seating of a sports saloon to the perched-up position of an SUV will immediately like the Polestar 5, as the company has gone to great lengths to ensure it feels suitably sporty, even just to sit in.
The cabin seats five at a push, but the middle rear seat is best thought of as for occasional use only. The outer two seats, however, are pretty much as comfortable as those up front, with deep bolstering and support, along with electric adjustment. We highly recommend upgrading to the leather upholstery.
When the car was initially launched, the lack of a rear window grabbed the headlines, but it turns out not to be an issue. On one side, the glass roof extends very far back, and on the other, the digital rear-view ‘mirror’ offers a crystal-clear picture of what’s behind.
As you’d expect, the Polestar 5 is loaded with in-car tech, and much of it is controlled by the large, upright touchscreen. This works well, though we would like a few more physical buttons. Nonetheless, we’re glad Polestar fits a separate digital screen for the instruments, along with a head-up display in front of the driver.
Polestar 5 Performance & Drive
It doesn’t matter which of the two models you go for because there’s a surfeit of usable performance on tap regardless, and both use two electric motors for all-wheel drive. The Dual Motor produces up to 748hp, meaning 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, and it’s every bit as fast as that suggests it will be. Saying that, the accelerator pedal is well-judged, so it’s easy to drive it smoothly in all conditions.
The Dual Motor’s suspension is relatively uncomplicated, but it does a superb job of mixing everyday comfort with rock-solid body control and notable levels of driver engagement. It really is outstanding to drive.
Its talents mean the more powerful Performance variant is almost superfluous to requirements. Its two motors produce up to 884hp, dropping that benchmark 0-100km/h time to just 3.1 seconds. The extra power can be felt on the exit of tighter corners if you’re heavy-footed on the accelerator, giving the rear tyres more to think about, but really, either car is fast enough.
The Performance model does get adaptive and adjustable suspension, through three driver-selected settings. Driving enthusiasts will appreciate the extra control this exerts over the car, though we also found this version a fraction less comfortable than the Dual Motor car, no matter which driving settings we chosen.
Polestar 5 Pricing
Initially, the Polestar 5 is exclusively offered in ‘Launch Edition’ specification, though leather is extra. The Dual Motor costs €129,200 and comes with an official range of 678km, while the Performance is €144,200 and while it uses the same battery pack, the range drops to 558km.
Carzone Verdict
The Polestar 5 is a very special car, managing to marry everyday usability with a seriously dynamic and involving chassis, no matter which model you go for. It’s also good-looking inside and out, better value than a Porsche Taycan and yet likely to remain relatively exclusive.