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BMW i5 vs Polestar 4
Selected trimeDrive40 M SportChange trim357 mi · 83.9 kWh · £67,795
Selected trimLong range Single motor · 2024-26Change trim391 mi · 100 kWh · £59,990
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i5 leads on motorway range and running costs, while the Polestar 4 leads on charging speed.
Best value
Too close to call
Range & charging
Too close to call
Practicality
Too close to call
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i5 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Polestar 4 if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i5 edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
Value
BMW
5.6
Polestar
6
Too close to call
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.4
Polestar
4.9
Family
BMW
7.6
Polestar
7.6
Too close to call
ChargingPolestar
BMW
5.2
Polestar
5.8
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
6.4
Polestar
2.1
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £67,795 | £59,990 (better) |
| Official range | 357 miles | 391 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 490 L | 530 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 6 sec (better) | 6.2 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i5
Polestar 4
Length
BMW i55,060mm
Polestar 44,840mm-220mm
Width
BMW i51,900mm-108mm
Polestar 42,008mm
Height
BMW i51,515mm-41mm
Polestar 41,556mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5,060 mm | 4,840 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,900 mm (better) | 2,008 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,139 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,556 mm |
| Turning circle | 12.3 m | 11.6 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 500 mm spare (better) | 392 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L | 530 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1665 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 1,500 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i5
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Polestar 4
- 391 mile WLTP range, longer than 95% of SUVs we track.
- At 4,840 mm, longer than 80% of SUVs we track.
- 2,999 mm wheelbase, longer than 90% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport |  Polestar 4 Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 5.06m | 4.84m-220mm |
| Width | 1.90m | 2.01m+108mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.14m |
| Height | 1.51m | 1.56m+41mm |
| Wheelbase | 3.00m | 3.00m+4mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 166mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L | 530L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1665L |
| Frunk | Not available | 15L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 12.3m | 11.64m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 2,195kg (better) | 2,265kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 1,500kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 83.9kWh | 100kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 357 mi | 391 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 205kW (better) | 200kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £67,795 | £59,990 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Saloon | suv |
| Available | 2023+ | 2024–2026 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 357 miles | 391 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 297 miles (better) | 277 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 205 kW (better) | 200 kW |
| Home AC charging | 22 kW (better) | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 178 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 81.2 kWh | 100 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 6 sec (better) | 6.2 sec |
| Power | 250 kW (better) | 200 kW |
| Torque | 400 Nm (better) | 343 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i5
eDrive40 M Sport
Polestar 4
Long range Single motor
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
BMW i5
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport
Tested 2023
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users86%
Safety Assist78%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Polestar 4 Long range Single motor
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant92%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users81%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i5eDrive40 M Sport | Polestar 4Long range Single motor |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
BMW i5
eDrive40 M Sport
Owners love
- Owners describe it as superbly refined and stable on the motorway, and more relaxing than a Tesla Model 3.
- It feels like a proper 5 Series to drive, with a composed ride and good balance for its size.
- Owners report better real-world range than they expected: about 220-280 miles in winter and over 300 in summer on the eDrive40.
Watch out for
- Many owners point to cost-cutting inside: unlined door pockets, no sill plates, one wireless charging pad and cheaper stalks than the previous 5 Series.
- It is very long and wide, which makes parking and narrow roads awkward.
- Useful equipment such as adaptive cruise control, the surround cameras and rear heated seats came in expensive option packs.
Owner tips
- Choose 19-inch wheels rather than 20-inch for range and ride.
- Check which option packs a used car has: adaptive cruise and the surround cameras were not standard.
Polestar 4
Long range Single motor
Owners love
- Owners praise the build quality and the interior materials, a big step up from the Polestar 2.
- The rear seats are spacious and recline, and the glass roof gives the cabin a light, limousine-like feel.
- Real-world range is good for the class, with owners reporting around 250 miles on cold, wet motorway runs and more in mild weather.
Watch out for
- Early cars had many software bugs: the head-up display failing to start, temperamental haptic steering wheel buttons (some replaced), key and profile recognition, CarPlay drop-outs and glitchy driver aids.
- Some find the ride firm and fidgety on British roads, with body roll in corners, especially on the Dual motor.
- The lack of a rear window takes getting used to and rules out a normal rear dash cam.
Owner tips
- Make sure the latest software is installed; a full software reset at the dealer fixed many early gremlins.
- Test drive it to see whether you can live with the camera mirror and the ride, and try the Single motor if comfort matters most.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Polestar 4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i5
No active listings.
Polestar 4
- £33,6992024Car360View
- £33,7002025EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i5 worth the extra £7,805 over the Polestar 4?
The BMW i5 costs £7,805 more than the Polestar 4. For that premium it adds 50 kW more power. The Polestar 4 is not just cheaper - it also offers 34 miles more WLTP range. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW i5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i5 or the Polestar 4?
The Polestar 4 is £7,805 cheaper to buy. The BMW i5 is cheaper to charge, roughly £160 a year versus £192 for the Polestar 4, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Polestar 4 comes out roughly £7,645 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i5 and Polestar 4 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 297 miles for the BMW i5 and 277 miles for the Polestar 4 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW i5 goes roughly 21 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i5 or the Polestar 4?
The BMW i5 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 108 mm narrower than the Polestar 4. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 500 mm of total clearance for the BMW i5 and about 392 mm of total clearance for the Polestar 4. The Polestar 4 also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i5 or the Polestar 4?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW i5 and 84% for the Polestar 4. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i5 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i5 and Polestar 4 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Polestar 4 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Polestar 4 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Polestar 4 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i5 and Polestar 4 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i5 and Polestar 4 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i5 (2023 on): eDrive40 vs M60, Saloon vs Touring, Recalls & What to Pay
A used BMW i5 buyer’s guide: eDrive40 or M60, saloon or Touring, the option packs to check, the braking-system recall, battery warranty left, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Polestar 4 (2024 on): Single vs Dual Motor, Warranty & What to Pay
A used Polestar 4 buyer’s guide: Single and Dual motor, the no-rear-window design, the short car warranty, huge depreciation, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .