The era of electric vehicle compromise is officially over. For too long, the luxury performance segment has been a playground for legacy European brands, but a new challenger has arrived from the snowy, sustainable north: the Polestar 5.

Born from the stunning Precept concept and engineered by a dedicated team in the UK, the Polestar 5 is not just another electric sedan; it is a 650kW, 800-volt, four-door Grand Tourer built on a bonded aluminium chassis. It is the purest expression yet of Polestar’s performance ambitions.

Confirmed for an aggressive Australian launch in mid-2026, the Polestar 5 is aimed squarely at the most coveted electric performance sedans on the market, setting its sights firmly on the Porsche Taycan and the Audi e-tron GT.

At EV Evolution, Australia’s premier digital platform for EV enthusiasts, we have compiled the full, confirmed Australian specifications and pricing. This is the car that doesn’t just meet the competition—it demands a total re-evaluation of the premium EV landscape.

🇦🇺 Australian Context: A $171K Shot Across the Bow

Polestar Australia has been clear about the 5’s position: it is their flagship. It’s designed to bring true supercar performance and cutting-edge technology to a customer base seeking the highest levels of luxury and exclusivity.

The Price War at the Top End

The Polestar 5 will arrive in two variants, with pricing strategically positioned to disrupt its German rivals:

The entry point of $171,100 for the Dual Motor model undercuts comparably specified Porsche Taycan models, offering a power advantage and a massive battery for thousands less. The Performance variant, with its bonkers 650kW output, positions itself as a serious alternative to the Taycan Turbo—but at a fraction of the cost.

Key Local Announcement: Order books for the Polestar 5 opened in Australia in September 2025, signaling the company’s confidence in its design and engineering and confirming its place as a key launch in 2026.

⚡ Engineering Deep Dive: The Specs That Matter

The Polestar 5 is the first vehicle built completely from the ground up by Polestar’s dedicated R&D team in the UK. This freedom allowed them to incorporate genuinely groundbreaking technology.

1. Powertrain: The 884-Horsepower Hammer

The heart of the Polestar 5 is its dual-motor, All-Wheel Drive system, featuring a powerful new PX2 permanent magnet synchronous motor developed in-house for the rear axle.

• Performance Model: The flagship boasts a staggering total system output of 650kW (884hp) and 1,015Nm of torque. This is a level of power usually reserved for pure hypercars, enabling a 0-100 km/h sprint of just 3.2 seconds.
• Chassis: This raw power is harnessed by the vehicle’s immense torsional rigidity—thanks to the bonded aluminium chassis—which Polestar claims is stiffer than a two-seat supercar, ensuring absolute confidence at high speed. The Performance model adds MagneRide adaptive dampers for instant, electro-magnetic control over ride quality.

2. Battery & Charging: The 800-Volt Game Changer

The use of an 800-volt architecture is the technical bullet point that separates the Polestar 5 from its 400V siblings (like the Polestar 2).

• Battery: A massive 112 kWh battery pack (106 kWh usable) is integrated directly into the chassis structure.
• Range: The Dual Motor variant delivers an estimated 678 km (WLTP), making it a true inter-continental Grand Tourer. Even the hyper-powerful Performance model manages a very respectable 558 km (WLTP).
• Ultra-Fast Charging: The 800V system allows for ultra-high charge rates. Under optimal conditions at a 350kW DC charger, the Polestar 5 can replenish its battery from 10% to 80% in a claimed 22 minutes. This drastically cuts down on journey times and is crucial for high-mileage drivers.

🧬 Design: The Precept Vision Made Real

The Polestar 5 stays incredibly faithful to the 2020 Precept concept, defining a new aerodynamic language for the brand.

• Exterior: The profile is long (5,087mm) and extremely low (1,425mm), yielding an exceptional drag coefficient of 0.24. Its most striking feature is the absence of a traditional rear window, replaced by a sleek structural beam and an aerodynamic roof spoiler, with a camera feeding a virtual view to the rearview mirror screen.
• Interior: Polestar describes the cabin as a “4+1” seating layout, emphasising comfort for four adults but with the option for a fifth passenger.
  • Sustainability: The interior features sustainable materials like Microtech vegan upholstery and natural fibre composite panels (made from flax), which are up to 40% lighter than plastic.
  • Luggage: Practicality is maintained with a 365L rear cargo area (expanded to 1,128L with seats folded) and a handy 62L ‘frunk’ (front boot) perfect for storing charging cables.
  • Tech: The cabin is dominated by a large infotainment screen running the Android Automotive OS, with the Performance model featuring the high-end Bowers & Wilkins for Polestar sound system.

⚔️ The Taycan Challenge: Polestar’s Advantage

Why should an Australian buyer choose the Polestar 5 over a Porsche Taycan?

1. Range: The Polestar 5 Dual Motor offers significantly more range (678 km WLTP) than most comparable Taycan models, offering genuine touring comfort.
2. Battery Size: The 112 kWh pack dwarfs many competitors, delivering a larger energy reserve without compromising charging speed (thanks to 800V).
3. Cost: Achieving 650kW and a 3.2-second sprint for under $200,000 (pre-ORC) is a performance bargain in this segment.
4. Torsional Rigidity: The bespoke bonded aluminium platform is a unique structural advantage, promising tighter handling and less flex than its rivals.

🌟 EV Evolution Verdict

The Polestar 5 is the full package. It’s blisteringly fast, exceptionally efficient, and technologically advanced, all wrapped up in a breathtaking Scandinavian design. It elevates the luxury EV conversation from simple horsepower figures to architecture and engineering prowess.

In mid-2026, this car will not just challenge the status quo; it will redefine it for Australian luxury buyers.

🤖 Join the Evolution: Get the Full GT Briefing

The Polestar 5 is a complex machine with groundbreaking architecture and intricate option lists (from $10,000 paint to $13,000 leather upgrades).

Do you know which options are worth the premium? Are the MagneRide dampers necessary for your commute?

Don’t make a $200,000 decision based on guesswork.

At EV Evolution, we encourage you to try chatting with our AI-powered chatbot today. It is trained on the latest global specs, accessory pricing, and technical deep-dives on the 800V system.

• “Compare the Polestar 5 Performance acceleration curve against the Porsche Taycan Turbo.”
• “What is the actual maximum charging speed achieved by the Polestar 5 in testing?”
• “Explain the benefits of bonded aluminium chassis rigidity over traditional chassis.”

About EV Evolution

EV Evolution is the leading online platform dedicated to Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. We foster a vibrant community, delivering essential EV news and insights, and enhancing user engagement through our innovative, AI-powered chatbot for dynamic discussions. Our mission is to empower Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts by fostering a vibrant, AI-driven online community that connects, informs, and advances the nation’s electric vehicle landscape.