Polestar 5 Is the New Tesla Model S
When the Tesla Model S arrived, it was a groundbreaking moment in the auto industry. Not only was it a battery-electric vehicle with enough range to satisfy most driver needs, but it was also stylish, something the industry’s fuel-sipping Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt couldn’t claim. And, as the years went on, the Tesla was continually improved via over-the-air updates. In May, production of the Model S ended after nearly 750,000 of them rolled off the line. That’s three times the number of vehicles Polestar has sold in its company history.None of Polestar’s vehicles have had Model S-like moments. The Polestar One is widely considered its most attractive production vehicle to date. The Polestar Precept concept car was highly praised when it debuted. Polestar 5 is nearly identical on the exterior to that concept.Forward-facing interior of the Polestar 5.What the Polestar 5 and Tesla Model S have most in common is their design and engineering intent to be grand performance vehicles. Each has executed upon that mission with aplomb. But, at the moment when the Model S has gone out of production, the 5 is going into production.Where the Model S left off with advanced computing, comfort, performance and style, the 5 has picked up the mantle for. Not just that, it’s excelling in areas where the Model S faltered, like ride quality.But, there is a gap in timing for U.S. shoppers. They will have to wait for it to come onshore. The latest update Polestar provided explained that it was not “if” but “when” the 5 will come to America.The automaker is currently facing headwinds with tariffs in the U.S. and economic uncertainty, in addition to battery-electric vehicle buyer hesitancy.While much can be said about Elon Musk’s personality and idealism driving Tesla sales, especially in the company’s early years when the Model S was the only vehicle it sold, little is being said about Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller evangelists, if there are any. That hasn’t stopped the executive from being an outspoken advocate for more sustainable vehicles, throughout their entire lifecycle.The tall German businessman is just as emphatic as Musk that the future is zero-emissions vehicles.The 5 marks Polestar’s true step into a maturity that matches the bold statements that Lohscheller makes. Not only is the 5 a very good electric car, it’s also a very good car by any standard.The lip-biting rear design is matched by a Porsche-like front end. Inside, it follows simple, premium styling made popular by its Swedish rival Volvo and adopted by Chinese car companies. Unlike BMW’s attempt at simplicity in the iX3, this Polestar actually accomplishes it without wading too deep into a “different for different’s sake” tech conundrum.Seating in the Polestar 5.Not just that, but 5 is an inherently good drive. Whether on rural roads, city streets, or highways, it has plenty of power, even throttle response, and dynamic handling as it proved on a long, indirect test drive route from Polestar’s home city of Gothenburg, Sweden to Copenhagen. Plus, it’s a peaceful, comfortable ride, even after several hours.When it arrives in America, the 5 will not be cheap, but neither was the Model S. With the Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan and Model S out of the picture, only the Porsche Taycan remains as the 5’s true competitor.Related ArticlesStart your unlimited Newsweek trial
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