Asger Risom
After five years of teasers, Polestar has unveiled its new flagship sedan: the Polestar 5. A sleek Swedish-designed Grand Tourer built in China, it’s set to rival the Porsche Taycan and Tesla’s top EVs.
But with steep tariffs and uncertain U.S. plans, American buyers may never see it on the road.
After five years of teasers, Polestar has unveiled its new flagship sedan: the Polestar 5. A sleek Swedish-designed Grand Tourer built in China, it’s set to rival the Porsche Taycan and Tesla’s top EVs.
But with steep tariffs and uncertain U.S. plans, American buyers may never see it on the road.
A Flagship Five Years in the Making
First shown as the Precept concept in 2020, the Polestar 5 arrives as the brand’s most ambitious car yet. It was revealed at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, showcasing bold Scandinavian design with aviation-inspired aerodynamics.
Built in China, Blocked by Tariffs?
The Polestar 5 is built in Chongqing on a bespoke platform that cannot be easily moved. With U.S. tariffs on Chinese EVs at 100 percent, bringing the car stateside could make it prohibitively expensive.
Pricing Signals Its Ambition
In Europe, the Polestar 5 starts at €119,900 ($140,000), while the Performance version is priced at €142,900 ($167,000). Positioned as a luxury GT, it targets the same high-end market as Porsche and Tesla.
Power and Range to Match the Best
Both trims use a 112 kWh battery and Polestar’s first 800-volt system. Range is up to 330 miles, with charging from 10 to 80 percent in just 22 minutes. The Performance trim delivers 884 horsepower and hits 60 mph in 3.1 seconds.
Engineered for Driving Enthusiasts
Developed with ex-Lotus and McLaren engineers, the Polestar 5 uses a bonded aluminum chassis, Brembo brakes, and MagneRide adaptive dampers in the Performance model. The result: grand tourer comfort with supercar precision.
Swedish Minimalism Inside
The cabin features a 14.5-inch Google-powered display, panoramic roof, and minimalist design. Recaro seats, advanced climate control, and sustainable materials like recycled PET and flax composites highlight its mix of luxury and responsibility.
Lucid Stumbles, Competition Shifts
The Polestar 5 was designed as a rival to the Lucid Air—but Lucid’s recent stock market crash has shaken investor confidence and raised doubts about its staying power. That may leave Porsche and Tesla as Polestar’s more realistic benchmarks.
Sustainable at Its Core
Beyond design, Polestar emphasizes low-carbon materials: recycled fishing nets in carpets, natural fiber composites in seats, and aluminium sourced from renewable smelters. It’s as much an eco-statement as a performance machine.
Will America Miss Out?
While order books are open in Europe, Polestar has only said U.S. availability will be announced “later.” Given tariffs and production locked in China, analysts warn the Polestar 5 may remain out of reach for American buyers.
