Polestar 4 vs Volkswagen ID.5
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Volkswagen ID.5 scores higher, 76 vs 75
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 26 Jun 2026, price 25 Jun 2026
Polestar 4
25 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 no dataFrom
$78,500
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric Motor
- Power
- 200kW
- Energy use
- 16.8 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 526L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Volkswagen ID.5
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 9 no dataFrom
$62,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 210kW
- Energy use
- 16.6 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2021
- Boot (seats up)
- 549L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 75
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$78,500RRP
- with the Volkswagen ID.5's standard kit: $78,500 (nothing to add)
$62,990RRP
- 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.
Price and cost per week
Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor
$78,500
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $340 a week in repayments ($78,500 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Volkswagen ID.5 Pro
$62,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 25 June 2026
$66,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by Volkswagen Australia
About $287 a week in repayments ($66,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Volkswagen ID.5 starts $15,510 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$287/wk(≈$1,242/mo)
Estimate on the Volkswagen ID.5 at $66,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Polestar 4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the Polestar 4 at 5 stars (2025) and the Volkswagen ID.5 at 5 stars (2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2021). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 92% for the Polestar 4 and 93% for the Volkswagen ID.5, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 9 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Polestar 4, against 6 on the Volkswagen ID.5.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control. Airbag count is 7 in the Polestar 4 and 6 in the Volkswagen ID.5.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 9 of 10 key systems on the Polestar 4 and 6 on the Volkswagen ID.5.
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.
Recalls on our record
Polestar 4
None open on our record
Volkswagen ID.5
None open on our record
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 a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
100kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 200kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 200kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
77kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 175kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 175kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Polestar 4 features a 15.4-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen ID.5 gets a 12.9-inch display and 5.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Polestar 4 stands out with panoramic roof, ventilated seats and Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen ID.5. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Polestar 4 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen ID.5 offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Polestar 4 and 3-zone in the Volkswagen ID.5.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Polestar 4 uses a Electric Motor producing 200kW and 343Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed fixed gear to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.1 seconds.
The Volkswagen ID.5 responds with a Electric making 210kW and 545Nm, paired to a auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
The Volkswagen ID.5 has the clear power advantage at 210kW vs 200kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volkswagen ID.5 is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 100kWh (Polestar 4) vs 77kWh (Volkswagen ID.5), giving WLTP ranges of 620km and 544km. DC fast charging peaks at 200kW (Polestar 4) vs 175kW (Volkswagen ID.5).
Space & Comfort
The Polestar 4 measures 4,840mm long on a 2,999mm wheelbase, 256mm longer than the Volkswagen ID.5 at 4,584mm (2,769mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 4 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 526L in the Polestar 4 and 549L in the Volkswagen ID.5, giving the Volkswagen ID.5 a 23L advantage.
For towing, the Polestar 4 leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 1,000kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Volkswagen ID.5's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 11.4 m against 11.6 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Polestar 4 costs about $806 a year (16.8 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Volkswagen ID.5 about $797 a year (16.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $9 a year less for the Volkswagen ID.5.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Polestar 4) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volkswagen ID.5).
Where each one leads
The Polestar 4: the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 1,000kg).
The Volkswagen ID.5: the lower starting price ($62,990 against $78,500), more power (210kW against 200kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (549L against 526L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($797 a year against $806).
The Verdict
Volkswagen ID.5 scores higher, 76 vs 75
The Volkswagen ID.5 scores 76 to the Polestar 4's 75 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 6 of the 9 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Volkswagen ID.5 ahead by 7 points), value (Volkswagen ID.5 ahead by 5 points), practicality (Polestar 4 ahead by 3 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Volkswagen ID.5 costs about $9 less (16.6 kWh/100km against 16.8 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh).
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$287/wk(≈$1,242/mo)
Estimate on the Volkswagen ID.5 at $66,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Polestar 4Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Polestar 4 and Volkswagen ID.5?
The Volkswagen ID.5 is the cheapest at $62,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 4 by $15,510.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Polestar 4 has the most range at 620km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Polestar 4 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 200kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Polestar 4 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025) and Volkswagen ID.5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2021). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen ID.5 has the largest boot at 549L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Polestar 4 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen ID.5 makes the most power at 210kW. The Volkswagen ID.5 is quickest to 100km/h in 6.7s.
Track the Polestar 4 & Volkswagen ID.5
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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