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The Polestar 5 Performance can be thrilling to drive and still feel uncomfortable over a longer journey. In Rob Clymo’s October 6, 2026 road test for Stuff, the car felt planted, quick and rewarding on varied UK roads, but its firm ride and close-fitting seats aggravated the reviewer’s lower back. Those are one driver’s impressions—not a guarantee of how every occupant will experience the car.
Why the Polestar 5 impressed on the road
Clymo drove the Performance on a route that included Kielder Forest and a mix of UK surfaces. He described a rigid-feeling body and a car that held the road confidently, even when driven hard. Its weight—reported in the review at around 2,500 kg—did not prevent it from feeling planted; the review also reports a 50/50 weight distribution. Clymo said the car became more enjoyable the longer he drove it.
Acceleration and braking added to the appeal. Stuff lists the Performance at 817 bhp and 0–60 mph in 3.1 seconds, compared with 737 bhp and 3.8 seconds for the Dual Motor. These are figures reported by Stuff, not independently verified manufacturer specifications in the available source.
What made the drive uncomfortable
A firm ride over varied surfaces
The same taut character that helped the car feel composed came with a firm ride. Clymo wrote, “Sure, the ride is quite hard, and at times felt borderline harsh.” That judgment came from his specific test route; it does not establish how the car behaves on every road or in every setting.
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The test car had MagneRide adaptive dampers, and its steering could be set to Light, Standard or Firm. These adjustments give the driver options, but the review does not say that they eliminated the ride’s harshness.
Seats that bothered the reviewer’s lower back
The seats were figure-hugging, which suited the car’s sporting feel but was uncomfortable for Clymo. “But, boy, they did take their toll on my lower back,” he wrote. The seats had heating, cooling and massage; he welcomed the massage function after feeling discomfort, but did not claim it solved the problem.
Rank #2
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Seat comfort is personal, so the review is a reason to try the car yourself rather than proof that its seats will cause discomfort for everyone. If you are considering one, spend time in the driver’s seat and, if possible, test it on roads similar to those you use regularly.
Performance or Dual Motor: the trade-off in Stuff’s figures
Stuff’s reported figures show the Performance prioritizing power and acceleration over the Dual Motor’s stated maximum range. The figures below are as reported in its 2026 review; confirm current specifications for the market and model year you are considering.
Rank #3
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| Version | Power | 0–60 mph | Maximum range reported by Stuff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Motor | 737 bhp | 3.8 seconds | Up to 421 miles |
| Performance | 817 bhp | 3.1 seconds | Up to 346 miles |
The review also reports that Clymo averaged about 3 miles per kWh during his Performance drive. That is a single road-test observation, not a standardized efficiency result or a promise of real-world range.
Comfort and practicality beyond the ride
Stuff reports an 800 V electrical architecture, a 112 kWh battery and charging capability of up to 350 kW. It lists boot capacity as 365 litres, increasing to 1,128 litres with the rear seats folded, plus a 62-litre front trunk. The reviewer noted that the boot opening and side panels could make awkwardly shaped loads harder to handle.
Rank #4
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Other details may matter during a visit or test drive: the review found the front roof pillars thick enough to make entry somewhat awkward, and noted that climate options sit at the foot of the touchscreen. It also observed that the charging port is on the rear section of the front wing, which could affect positioning at some commercial chargers. These are the reviewer’s usability observations, not universal findings.
How to judge whether the Polestar 5 suits you
- Try the ride on rough roads. A smooth test route may not reveal the firmness Clymo noticed on varied surfaces.
- Assess the seat over time. Check lower-back support and whether the close-fitting shape works for your body; do not assume the massage feature will compensate for a poor fit.
- Choose by priority. In Stuff’s figures, the Performance is quicker and more powerful, while the Dual Motor has the higher stated maximum range.
- Check current local specifications. The cited road test does not independently establish manufacturer figures for every market or model year.
Stuff identifies the Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron GT and Lotus Emeya as contenders. Its review does not provide a controlled comparison of those cars’ ride comfort, seats, range, charging or cargo space, so use like-for-like local specifications and comparable test drives before drawing conclusions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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