Audi A5 vs Polestar 2
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 25 Jun 2026, price 21 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$79,900RRP
- no option data for this car
$66,400RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Audi A5 & Polestar 2
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Audi A5 starts from $79,900 before on-road costs, while the Polestar 2 opens at $66,400. That makes the Polestar 2 the more affordable entry point by $13,500.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $87,890 and $73,040 respectively.
The Polestar 2 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Audi A5 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
Both the Audi A5 and Polestar 2 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 87% for the Audi A5 and 92% for the Polestar 2.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Polestar 2, against 8 on the Audi A5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Audi A5 and 8 in the Polestar 2.
Recalls on our record
Audi A5
- REC-005841 · published 30 Nov 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the outer backrest frame of the front seats may have been incorrectly welded.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-001665 · published 3 Sep 2021Some nuts fitted to the rear axle assembly did not meet manufacturing specifications and may break.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2021
- REC-001650 · published 23 Jul 2021The seatbelt warning (acoustic warning tone and visual display) may occasionally operate rather than continuously, in circumstances such as a seatbelt not fastened or unfastened while the vehicle is moving.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2021
- 10 more on the model page.
Polestar 2
- REC-006363 · published 17 Jun 2025Due to a software issue, under certain driving conditions if the vehicle’s one-pedal drive function is activated it may lead to a loss of braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2024
- REC-006078 · published 25 Sep 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the front passenger seat mounting bolts may not have been tightened according to specifications and could become loose or detach.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005743 · published 2 Aug 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the left front suspension ball joint may have been incorrectly attached.Year range on the notice: 2022
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
82kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 205kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 205kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi A5 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 11.9-inch digital dash, while the Polestar 2 gets a 11.2-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi A5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, ventilated seats and Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Polestar 2. The Polestar 2 counters with Apple CarPlay, wireless charging and panoramic roof. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi A5 gets leather upholstery while the Polestar 2 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi A5 and 2-zone in the Polestar 2.
Drivetrain
The Audi A5 uses a 4-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection, turbocharging producing 150kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed s tronic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.8 seconds.
The Polestar 2 responds with a Electric Motor making 220kW and 490Nm, paired to a single-speed fixed gear driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds.
The Polestar 2 has the clear power advantage at 220kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Polestar 2 is 1.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi A5 measures 4,829mm long on a 2,892mm wheelbase, 223mm longer than the Polestar 2 at 4,606mm (2,735mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi A5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 445L in the Audi A5 and 407L in the Polestar 2, giving the Audi A5 a 38L advantage.
For towing, the Audi A5 leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m to 11.5m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi A5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Polestar 2). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A5 if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Polestar 2 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Polestar's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Polestar 2: Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 73
The Polestar 2 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (76 vs 73), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: performance (Polestar 2 ahead by 14), value (Polestar 2 ahead by 8), practicality (Audi A5 ahead by 3). If boot space matters, the Audi A5 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A5 and Polestar 2?
The Polestar 2 is the cheapest at $66,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A5 by $13,500.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A5 uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Audi A5 and Polestar 2 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Audi A5 has the largest boot at 445L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi A5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Polestar 2 makes the most power at 220kW. The Polestar 2 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.2s.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
