Head-to-head
Polestar 4 vs Volkswagen ID.5
At $62,990 the Volkswagen ID.5 undercuts the Polestar 4 by $15,510 (20%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · Coupe
Polestar 4
Polestar's mid-size coupe-SUV trades a rear window for camera-based rearward vision — a polarising design choice. The 620 km WLTP Long Range Single Motor is the volume seller; the AWD Dual Motor goes hard.
- From
- $78,500
- Range
- 620 km
- Battery
- 94 kWh
Option B · Coupe
Volkswagen ID.5
Volkswagen's coupe-SUV version of the ID.4 — same MEB platform, same 77 kWh battery, sleeker fastback roofline. 544 km WLTP range in Pro RWD trim.
- From
- $62,990
- Range
- 544 km
- Battery
- 77 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Polestar 4 and Volkswagen ID.5, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 goes 76 km further on a charge (620 vs 544 km WLTP).
- 2
Battery · advantage Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 carries a 17.0 kWh larger battery (94 vs 77 kWh).
- 3
DC charging · advantage Polestar 4
The Polestar 4 accepts 65 kW more DC peak charging (200 vs 135 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 4
Price · advantage Volkswagen ID.5
The Volkswagen ID.5 undercuts the Polestar 4 by $15,510 (20%) on starting price.
- 5
Boot · advantage Volkswagen ID.5
The Volkswagen ID.5 swallows 114 L more cargo with the rear seats up (549 vs 435 L).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Polestar 4 wins
- ▸ 76 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (200 kW vs 135 kW)
Where the Volkswagen ID.5 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $15,510
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (6.7s vs 7.1s)
Polestar 4
What we like
- ✓ Class-leading 620 km WLTP range in Single Motor trim
- ✓ Striking, distinctive coupe-SUV design
- ✓ Long-range Single Motor variant offers best value
What we don't
- ✕ Camera-based rear vision divides opinion
- ✕ Built in China, which matters to some buyers
- ✕ Premium pricing for the AWD variant
Volkswagen ID.5
What we like
- ✓ Strong 544 km WLTP range
- ✓ Big 549 L boot for a coupe-SUV
- ✓ 5-star ANCAP rating (inherited from ID.4 testing)
What we don't
- ✕ VW Group software has been a sore point
- ✕ Pricing climbs above $70k for the GTX AWD variant
- ✕ Coupe roofline cuts rear headroom
Frequently asked: Polestar 4 vs Volkswagen ID.5
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Polestar 4 or the Volkswagen ID.5?
- The Volkswagen ID.5 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $62,990 versus $78,500 for the Polestar 4, a $15,510 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Polestar 4 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 620 km, 76 km further than the Volkswagen ID.5's 544 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Polestar 4 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 200 kW versus 135 kW for the Volkswagen ID.5. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Volkswagen ID.5 does 0–100 km/h in 6.7 seconds — 0.4 s quicker than the Polestar 4's 7.1 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the Volkswagen ID.5 better value than the Polestar 4?
- On paper the Volkswagen ID.5 is $15,510 cheaper, but the Polestar 4 edges ahead on most other measurable specs. Whether the saving justifies the gap depends on which features matter most to you, and how much weight you give to brand and dealer factors.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Polestar 4
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (76 km further per charge)
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you match the profile: design-led buyers
Choose the
Volkswagen ID.5
if…
- ✓ you want to save $15,510 on the sticker
- ✓ you regularly load it up (114 L more boot)
- ✓ you match the profile: style-led family buyers
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.