2027 Polestar 5 targets Porsche Taycan (original) (raw)

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2027 Polestar 5 targets Porsche Taycan

All-electric grand tourer lives up to automaker's 'performance brand' positioning but has a couple of little flaws

Published Jun 01, 2026 • Last updated Jun 01, 2026 • 7 minute read

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2027 Polestar 5

The 2027 Polestar 5 in Morocco on the final leg of the Sweden-to-Sahara Grand Tour. Photo by Andrew McCredie

When targeting a venerable automaker like Porsche, you need to make a strong first impression, and Polestar did just that with an inspired global media launch called the Polestar 5 Grand Tour which saw automotive journalists from the around the world take part in a 6,000-kilometre drive from “Sweden to the Sahara.” We secured the sole Canadian seat on the seven-leg tour, with the additional privilege of taking part in the final leg, a thrilling drive from Marrakesh to the eastern edge of the fabled desert’s eastern edge. The historic route from the ‘Red City’ to Ouarzazate – known as the ‘Door of the Desert’ and the ‘Hollywood of Africa’, the latter for its film studios and on-site location for such productions as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Game of Thrones and The Last Temptation of Christ – traverses the Atlas Mountains and provides some of the best driving roads on the continent.

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The Polestar 5 is a futuristic looking all-electric, and as we got deeper into Morocco it felt more like we were extras in a James Bond movie (another film made here was the 1987 Bond film The Living Daylights). That sensation was only heightened when we spotted the Ouarzazate Soler Power Station’s tower on the horizon, its top some 25-metres in the air glowing white hot from the concentrated sunlight reflected upwards from a solar field of 7,400 mirrors. Another blockbuster movie franchise immediately came to mind: The Lord of the Rings, the glowing solar tower bearing a striking, and ominous, resemblance to the Eye of Sauron (apologies for the mixed movie metaphor here). Now, about the Polestar 5.

2027 Polestar 5 targets Porsche Taycan | Driving.ca

2027 Polestar 5

The 2027 Polestar 5 in Morocco on the final leg of the Sweden-to-Sahara Grand Tour. Photo by Polestar

What is the 2027 Polestar 5?

The 2027 Polestar 5 is the fifth production vehicle from the Sweden-base automaker, and the fourth consecutive all-electric one. It is an all-wheel drive (dual motor), performance-oriented GT, or grand tourer, and is based on the design language of the 2020 Polestar Precept Concept Car. Polestar has positioned the 5 to be a competitor to the Porsche Panamera long wheelbase in terms of interior space and packaging, and the all-electric Porsche Taycan in terms of driving dynamics. The Polestar 5 is available in two trims: a Dual Motor model and a Performance model.

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What powers the 2027 Polestar 5?

The two 2027 Polestar 5 trims share the same 800-volt architecture, a 112-kilowatt hour battery pack, a curb weight of 2,500 kilograms and a towing capacity of 1,800 kilos. The dual motor model has a power output of 748 horsepower, a zero-to-100-kilometre sprint time of 3.9 seconds and a full charge range of 678 kilometres using Europe’s WLPT rating system. The performance model has a power output of 884 horsepower, a blistering zero-to-100-kilometre time of 3.2 seconds and a full charge range of 558 kilometres. The dual motor model gets 20-inch aluminum aero wheels; the performance 21 inchers. Rubber comes in the form of bespoke tires developed in partnership with Michelin. Where the two models differ the most — apart from that 136-horsepower discrepancy — is the chassis department, with the Performance model getting magneride dampers. More about that later.

What is the 2027 Polestar 5’s exterior like?

The exterior design of the Polestar 5 is that of a classic grand tour and has all the hallmarks of a performance-oriented sedan. The sculpted body is slung very low with a wide stance and big haunches at the rear. That low nose provides a sports car stance seldom seen in the Premium performance sedan segment. The signature highlight of the front end are the pixel LED headlights that give the 5 a distinctive look, particularly at night. It’s a great looking GT from every angle. Well, almost any angle. A rear third-quarter view brings comparisons to – and it pains me to say this – the Tesla Cybertruck. There’s something about the rear slope of the 5’s roofline that really reminds me of the Cybertruck.

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2027 Polestar 5

2027 Polestar 5

As mentioned, the 5’s design language is based on the Precept concept, and as such includes the latter’s virtual rear window. What’s that you ask? Well, it’s actually no window at all, just like the Polestar 4. Designers credit this with allowing for the massive panoramic roof, and more importantly lots of rear seat headroom, but I didn’t like the driving experience in the 4 and same goes for my time in the 5 here in Morocco. Call me old school, but I prefer being able to see out the rear window instead of relying on a camera. It also, in my opinion, diminishes the otherwise fantastic body shape and style of the 5. And yes, there’s a frunk. It’s a good size — 62 litres and is designed to fit carry-on luggage. The frunk lining is made of a recycled material that is 60% lighter than traditional plastic. It’s difficult to tell the Dual Motor from the Performance models from each other, the sole tell being the Performance model getting Swedish gold brake calipers.

What is the 2027 Polestar 5’s cabin like?

Ever since I first sat in a Polestar – way back in 2019 during a first drive of the plug-in hybrid Polestar 1 – I’ve loved the interiors. And the 5 is no exception. Once you step inside, the exceptional exterior design carries forward.

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2027 Polestar 5

2027 Polestar 5 Photo by Andrew McCredie

At first blush it looks like a classic 2+2 seat set-up but lift the armrest in the back and there’s a small seat under there, so it is more of a 4+1. Front seats are designed in partnership with Recaro and have a low hip point, which provides a sports car like seating position. The rear seats have lots of headroom; again, thanks to that unique roof design, and plenty of legroom. The pampering continues back there with seat massage and heating and cooling functions.

2027 Polestar 5

2027 Polestar 5 Photo by Polestar

There’s a 14.5-inch vertical centre display and a 9-inch driver display that use a Polestar-specific Android operating system with Google built-in. One of the sticking points for Polestar vehicles has been an over-complicated infotainment user experience, with simple things like adjusting side mirrors and the steering wheel requiring a deepish dive into sub menus. Polestar engineers have obviously heard these criticisms, as the Polestar 5’s infotainment system now has a place on the home screen to put customized buttons, things like regen braking and mirrors. But these still take you to the respective sub menu pages. Still a little too fussy for my liking. And what is now a Polestar trademark, there are gold-stripped seatbelts and gold detailing on the infotainment rotary dial.

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Driving dynamics of the 2027 Polestar 5

I drove both models during my two-day drive in Morocco and while the driving dynamics of both, particularly in some incredible roads high in the Atlas Mountains, the Performance model really impressed. That magna ride suspension kept the heavy and large sedan stuck to the road, with little body roll and a confidence inspiring steering and braking. A real blast to drive with sports car like handling. The Polestar 5’s bonded aluminum structure lived up to its promise of enhanced stiffness with no noticeable flex or twist in body. Mountain roads in Morocco are surprisingly very good, and the 5 was a treat to throw into corners and accelerate out of them. The power is prodigious, but some serious chassis work and accompanying software makes a good driver feel like a great one. The base model doesn’t live up to the Taycan, but the Performance is close.

Pricing and availability of the 2027 Polestar 5

No word yet on pricing of the 2027 Polestar 5, but expect it to be six figures, though I would be surprised if it will be as costly as the Porsche Taycan ($136,200-$270,700). Also, no word on when the made-in-China 5 will arrive in Canada, though I suspect early to mid-next year.

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2027 Polestar 5

All the journalists who took part in the Sweden-to-Sahara Grand Tour signed the hood on the ‘Mascot’ Polestar 5, which will be retired to Polestar’s standing collection in Gothenburg. Photo by Andrew McCredie

All the journalists who took part in the Sweden-to-Sahara Grand Tour signed the hood on the ‘Mascot’ Polestar 5, which will be retired to Polestar’s standing collection in Gothenburg.

Final thoughts

Full disclosure here: I’ve been a fan of Polestar since I drove the 1 PHEV. Loved the styling, the cabin and the performance, and apart from the 4 – I just can’t get past its appearance – I’ve liked every vehicle Polestar has produced. But apart from the 1, I’ve never felt that the vehicles conveyed Polestar’s declared insistence that it is a performance brand. On paper, there’s little disputing that it is. Serious horsepower; serious chassis features; and serious driving dynamics. But after spending a couple of days in the Polestar 5 on some demanding roads, I can confidently say that this grand tourer fulfills that performance promise. And then some. Is it as good as a Porsche Taycan? Maybe not, but it has a personality all its own and Swedish style that makes it a very aspirational all-electric.

2027 Polestar 5

2027 Polestar 5 Photo by Andrew McCredie

Andrew McCredie picture

Andrew McCredie

Andrew McCredie is a senior editor with Postmedia Driving and has been reporting on the automotive industry for the past 20 years, from consumer-oriented road tests to new vehicle launches to technological deep dives. For the past decade he has increasingly focused on electric vehicles, and his EV-related Postmedia podcast Plugged In continues to feature interviews with the country's, and the world's, experts in the electric vehicle industry.

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