Does the new 884hp Polestar 5 prove that you don’t need a Porsche? 

This is the new Polestar 5, and it’s a bit like Abba Voyage. That’s because it’s conceived in Sweden, engineered in the UK and uses technology from China.

It’s a very powerful car, with two electric motors putting out 884hp in this Performance version. That’s exactly the same as you get in the Porsche Taycan Turbo, but is it as quick as that car from 0-60mph?

Polestar says this car will do 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, and after a couple of launches using my specialist timing gear I managed to match that time. A Taycan Turbo can do it in 2.7 seconds though.

So the Porsche is more likely to crick your neck when you put your foot down, but I think the Polestar is more likely to make you crick your neck turning back to look at it. It’s a much more handsome car in my view.

I love the pointy front end and quad headlight design, and Polestar has managed to neatly integrate the sensor pack into a hidden panel, unlike cars like the BMW i7 which has a big, ugly square slapped on the front.

Alloy wheels start from 20 inches, but you can also get 21- and 22-inch rims. These are the latter, and they fill the arches nicely. I also like the broad rear haunches and sleek taillights, and the lack of rear window does look cool and futuristic, even if it’s not all that practical.

It may look like a spaceship on the outside, but inside it looks pretty much exactly the same as the Polestar 3 SUV. That’s not a bad thing, because it’s a lovely-looking cabin, but it doesn’t feel quite as unique as the exterior.

No matter which model you go for, you get gorgeous Recaro bucket seats. They hug you in all the right places, and they’re covered in some of the softest leather I’ve ever seen.

The layout is very cool and minimalistic, but that does mean you have to control everything through the central touchscreen. It’s a Google-based system which is pretty easy to use, but having to adjust the mirrors and steering wheel through the screen is a faff.

I’m also a bit baffled by the lack of a glovebox in this car. There are decent-sized door bins and some storage under the centre armrest, but an Audi e-tron GT has more interior storage.

At least there’s plenty of space in the rear. At first glance there are just two seats back here, but you can fold that big centre console up to access a third chair for occasional use. The outer two seats are lovely bucket affairs, and they can recline, are heated and have a massage function.

The boot is less impressive at just 365 litres – it’s over 40 litres smaller than a Porsche Taycan’s and it’s even beaten by small hatchbacks like the Skoda Fabia. You do get a decent-sized front boot though, and I managed to fit six carry-on-sized suitcases in total – five in the rear and one in the front.

Driving the Polestar 5 is a very pleasant experience on the whole. It may be a massive, low-slung saloon, but it’s quite easy to judge the corners around town and it soaks up bumps really nicely. The turning circle isn’t as tight as a Taycan’s though, which can make tight manoeuvres tricky.

It’s an excellent motorway cruiser thanks to the near-silent cabin and planted feeling, plus it feels good on a twisty road. It’s not as much fun as a Porsche Taycan – that car just feels a bit more agile and sports car-like – but the Polestar has lovely steering and it remains comfortable over any bumps the UK can throw at it.

I also managed to get a real-world range of 307 miles, which is 88% of the claimed 347-mile figure. That’s not bad for a big car like this, but I managed to get 368 miles out of a Porsche Taycan.

So then, what’s my final verdict? Well I reckon you should shortlist the Polestar 5. It might not be as engaging as a Porsche Taycan, but it’s more comfortable and better-looking.

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