5 Minutes
Polestar's New Flagship Arrives
After years of concept previews beginning with the Precept, Polestar has finally unveiled its performance-focused flagship: the Polestar 5. Revealed at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, this all-electric grand tourer targets premium competitors such as the Porsche Taycan and the Lucid Air, combining Scandinavian design minimalism with high-end EV performance.
Production, Tariffs and U.S. Availability
Polestar confirmed the 5 is manufactured in Chongqing, China. Because the car uses a bespoke, bonded-aluminum platform and dedicated production tooling, company engineers say moving assembly would be extremely difficult. That presents a potential hurdle for U.S. sales, since Chinese-built EVs remain subject to a U.S. tariff policy that could add significant cost. In Europe the base Polestar 5 starts at €119,900 (about $140,000), while the Polestar 5 Performance is €142,900 (about $167,000). Polestar’s press materials state the car is “available to order now in select markets” and that North American pricing will be announced later, leaving U.S. availability ambiguous for now.
Platform and Design
The Polestar 5 is the brand’s first ground-up bespoke model. It rides on a bonded aluminum platform with aluminum bodywork and was primarily engineered in the U.K., drawing on talent from former Lotus and McLaren engineers to sharpen handling and driving feel. The exterior emphasizes aerodynamic efficiency — Polestar claims a coefficient of drag of 0.24 — and the roofline and rear treatment follow a coupe-like fastback aesthetic.
Interior and Technology
Inside, the 5 continues Polestar’s restrained Swedish design language. The cabin is described as a 4+1 layout—comfortable for four adults with an occasional fifth passenger—and centers on a large 14.5-inch portrait infotainment screen running a Google-based system. Like the Polestar 4, the 5 replaces a conventional rear window with a camera feed integrated into the rearview mirror, an aero-driven choice intended to improve efficiency.
Electric Powertrain and Charging
Both the standard Polestar 5 and the Performance model use the same 112.0 kWh gross (106.0 kWh net) nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery and Polestar’s first 800-volt electrical architecture. That enables up to 350 kW DC fast charging, with a claimed 10–80% recharge time of roughly 22 minutes. Estimated EPA range is 330 miles for the base car and about 300 miles for the Performance variant.
Performance Specs
- Polestar 5 (base): 748 hp, 559 lb-ft, 0–60 mph in 3.8 seconds, top speed 155 mph.
- Polestar 5 Performance: 884 hp, 749 lb-ft, 0–60 mph in 3.1 seconds, top speed 155 mph.
Both models use an in-house rear motor paired with a smaller front motor for all-wheel-drive performance. The standard suspension is passive, while the Performance spec adds MagneRide adaptive dampers. Braking hardware comes from Brembo with four-piston fixed calipers and two-piece rotors to reduce unsprung mass and improve fade resistance.
Market Positioning and Competitors
The Polestar 5 is positioned as a tech-forward, driver-focused EV gran turismo aimed squarely at buyers considering the Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air. It blends strong straight-line performance with a chassis tuned for engagement and premium hardware. The biggest question mark for North America remains cost: tariffs on Chinese-built EVs may push pricing beyond the reach of its intended segment, which is why Polestar previously prioritized local or regional assembly for other models (for example, production ties with Volvo in South Carolina and manufacturing in South Korea for other models).
Conclusion
The Polestar 5 is a compelling electric performance sedan that brings bespoke engineering, high-voltage charging, and Scandinavian minimalism to the luxury EV arena. However, until Polestar clarifies North American availability and pricing, prospective U.S. buyers will need to wait to see whether the 5 can compete head-to-head with the Taycan and Lucid Air in the American market.
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