Polestar 5 vs Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
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.
Polestar 5
From $193,100
Sedan
Electric
Electric Motor
650kW
—
ANCAP: no data
365L
Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance
From $189,900
Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid
Hybrid
500kW
6.1 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
359L
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
Track the Polestar 5 & Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance
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Price Breakdown
The Polestar 5 starts from $193,100 before on-road costs, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance opens at $189,900. That makes the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance the more affordable entry point by $3,200.
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 $212,410 and $208,890 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
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
103kWh usableAC charging · to 100%
Power point
10A wall socket · 2.4kW
Caravan socket
15A · 3.6kW
Home wallbox
single-phase 7kW · 7.4kW
Three-phase AC
11–22kW · 22kW
DC fast charging · to 80%
Public DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 350kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 350kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
6.1kWh usableAC charging · to 100%
Power point
10A wall socket · 2.4kW
Caravan socket
15A · 3.6kW
Home wallbox
single-phase 7kW · 7.4kW
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Polestar 5 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 9-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance gets a 11.9-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Polestar 5 stands out with V2L and Bowers & Wilkins audio that you will not find on the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance. The Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance counters with panoramic roof, ventilated seats and Burmester audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Polestar 5 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance offers nappa leather. Climate control is 4-zone in the Polestar 5 and 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance.
Drivetrain
The Polestar 5 uses a Electric Motor producing 650kW and 1015Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.2 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance responds with a Hybrid making 500kW and 1020Nm, paired to a 9-speed auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds.
The Polestar 5 has the clear power advantage at 650kW vs 500kW. In the real-world sprint, the Polestar 5 is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 112kWh (Polestar 5) vs 6.1kWh (Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance).
Space & Comfort
The Polestar 5 measures 5,087mm long on a 3,054mm wheelbase, 245mm longer than the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance at 4,842mm (2,865mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Polestar 5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 365L in the Polestar 5 and 359L in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance, giving the Polestar 5 a 6L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.3m diameter
Large
Based on 12.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
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 (Polestar 5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Polestar 5 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Polestar's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Polestar 5 takes 5 of 6 key spec categories. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Polestar 5 and Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance is the cheapest at $189,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Polestar 5 by $3,200.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance uses the least fuel at 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Polestar 5 and Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 S E Performance carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Polestar 5 has the largest boot at 365L.
Which can tow the most?
The Polestar 5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Polestar 5 makes the most power at 650kW. The Polestar 5 is quickest to 100km/h in 3.2s.
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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
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