2027 Polestar 5

Polestar previewed its latest model, a high-powered luxury sedan of sorts, with the lovely Precept concept in 2020. The good news off the bat is that the production version, the Polestar 5 you see here, lost very little of that show car's design. The biggest change is a switch to conventional front-hinged rear doors, but Polestar has been teasing this final form for years. The unconventional lack of a rear window remains.

Some meaningful sums

Don't get too hung up on the numbers Polestar uses to identify its models, as they don't mean much. The 5 will, in fact, be the fifth product from the nascent Swedish-Chinese EV brand, but only its fourth all-electric model. (The limited-run Polestar 1 used a gas-electric hybrid setup.) When the 5 goes on, it will be one of a trio of Polestar offerings, alongside the midsize Polestar 3 SUV and the compact Polestar 4.

Now to numbers that matter. The Polestar 5 Dual Motor is the introductory model and pumps out a healthy 748 horsepower and 599 lb-ft of torque. If those lofty figures aren't enough, you can instead opt for the Polestar 5 Performance, with an impressive 884 hp and 749 lb-ft. Polestar estimates the 0-to-60-mph run will take 3.8 seconds with the former and 3.1 seconds with the latter. That would put it in Porsche Taycan 4S range, if not quite Tesla Model S Plaid territory.

Polestar continues to evolve

This new model marks several firsts for the brand. It will be Polestar's maiden application of an 800-volt electrical architecture, which allows for quicker charging than other Polestar products, which use a 400-volt system with lower max charging rates. Polestar says the high-speed rail allows the 5's 112-kWh battery pack to charge from 10% to 80% full in as few as 22 minutes when using a 350-kW charger. We'll have to wait on EPA-estimated driving range figures, but Polestar has said in the past to expect at least 300 miles per charge; the generous Euro-centric WLTP estimates are 416 miles for the Dual Motor and 351 miles in Performance trim. Oh, and the rear electric motor is an in-house design, responsible for more than 600 of the Performance model's horsepower.

The 5 Performance doesn't rely solely on rapid acceleration for a fun time, however. Instead, it aims to provide the most communicative and engaging driving experience that an EV with a claimed weight of 5,512 pounds can muster. Its primary tool is its MagneRide adaptive suspension, which uses magnets to rapidly change the viscosity of its fluid, allowing it to be both firmer and softer than a conventional setup. 

Along the bumpiest roads, it glides over rough stuff without complaint and with no unwanted vibrations disturbing the cabin. It then keeps its body and perfect 50/50 weight distribution stable with little excess movement on tight switchbacks, creating the impression that the Performance is much lighter than it is. 

This adaptive suspension, along with the smaller components that support it, results in steering that has excellent feel whether you're tracking straight or in the middle of a bend. It also picks up weight naturally as you increase your speed and approach the grip limit of your tires. It's masterfully done, which translates into a car that's confidence-inspiring and one you can drive quickly or slowly and still enjoy. 

From a dynamics standpoint, the Performance is practically faultless. It feels like the result of an engineering team working as if they're facing Porsche's best, because they are. It gets the details right, too. Its driving position lets you sit low in the chassis, while the steering wheel extends considerably. Whether you're big or small, finding the ideal driving position won't be an issue.

Sold by its looks

The 5's main selling point will be its incredible looks. Whereas the Taycan looks at home among most amphibians, and the Mercedes-Benz EQS draws inspiration from the finest jelly beans, the PS5 pursues aerodynamic efficiency without sacrificing aesthetics. 

The bulk of the sedan's added length lies between its wheels, a space that's 6 inches longer than on a Taycan. This translates to a larger passenger compartment. Polestar wanted to pair this with enough rear headroom for most adults and an aggressively sloping roof. The compromise? Axing the rear window. Its vanishing allowed engineers to push the PS5's rear roof structure farther back, making enough room for the heads of chauffeured executives or very lucky children. 

Like most cars in this segment and price point, the Polestar 5's cabin is almost entirely devoid of physical controls. It's a bummer, especially given that its overall fit and finish is stellar. Although this interior is almost entirely made of sustainable materials, its quality is no less impressive.

Peer through the steering wheel and you'll find a 9-inch instrument cluster paired with a vertically oriented 14.5-inch central display. Just above, you'll find the aforementioned 8.9-inch virtual rearview mirror. 

Stick with the Dual Motor car, and you get a 10-speaker audio system as standard, while the Performance upgrades to a 21-speaker Bowers & Wilkins setup. Given how quiet the PS5 is in both wind and road noise, either system will impress. 

Big questions remain

Pricing remains a huge unknown. While Polestar has yet to announce figures for the U.S., the Dual Motor starts at 119,900 euros in Europe ($139,300 based on current exchange rates), while the Performance comes in at 142,900 euros ($166,000). However, a simple currency conversion won't unravel this mystery, especially given that the PS5 is manufactured in China, making it subject to our country's 125% tariff on Chinese-made vehicles.

The Polestar 5 is an impressive machine. In Performance trim, it's dynamically excellent, tremendously quick and fun to drive. With its adaptive suspension, it offers a true dual personality with some of the best looks of any EV to date. It does, however, ask that you go without a rear window, put up with a screen-heavy cabin, and pay a considerable premium to experience what should be its standard form.

If current market conditions and tariff policies endure, it won't matter that the Polestar 5 is technically excellent. It'll either be too expensive, not profitable enough, or both. It's simply the right car at the wrong time.