As the electric vehicle market continues its rapid expansion, automakers are vying to stake their claim with compelling new EVs across all segments. The latest entry is the highly anticipated Polestar 3 – the first all-electric luxury SUV from the Swedish EV brand Polestar. This stylish and agile electric SUV blends cutting-edge technology with a sporty driving experience, setting it apart in the increasingly crowded electric SUV landscape.
A Brand With a Clear Vision
When Polestar split from Volvo in 2017, its mission was to transform Volvo’s performance tuning arm into a stand-alone electric performance brand. However, its first offerings – the plug-in hybrid Polestar 1 and the Polestar 2 EV built on an aging Volvo platform – left the brand’s identity a bit muddled.
With the Polestar 3, riding on a new dedicated EV platform shared with the upcoming Volvo EX90, the brand’s vision is finally crystallizing. While the EX90 leans toward family-focused practicality, the Polestar 3 prioritizes a sportier driving character and sleeker design tailored for performance enthusiasts.
Design: Sleek, Aggressive, and Distinctly Swedish
From its low-slung stance to its crisp, minimalist lines, the Polestar 3 exudes a modern yet unmistakably Swedish design ethos. At 192.9 inches long, 77.5 inches wide, and just 64.1 inches tall, it cuts a sleeker, more athletic figure than its boxier Volvo EX90 cousin.
Up front, the smooth “SmartZone” replaces a traditional grille, housing cameras and sensors for the driver assistance systems. The sculpted hood features subtle wings to improve aerodynamics, while the sloping roofline and angled D-pillars create a dynamic, almost coupe-like profile. Around the back, a full-width light bar and an integrated roof spoiler give the 3 an aggressive, sporty stance on the road.
Standout Exterior Design Features:
- Low-slung, coupe-inspired silhouette
- Smooth “SmartZone” in place of a traditional grille
- Aerodynamic hood wings
- Sloping roofline and angled D-pillars
- Full-width rear light bar
- Integrated roof spoiler
- Low 0.29 coefficient of drag
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Polestar 3
A Spacious Yet Driver-Focused Cabin
While the Polestar 3’s exterior strikes a sporty tone, the interior balances driver focus with premium space and amenities. The sloping roofline avoids feeling too confining thanks to a large panoramic glass roof, which bathes the cabin in natural light.
Up front, the driver faces a 9-inch digital instrument cluster along with an available head-up display. A central 14.5-inch touchscreen runs the Android Automotive infotainment system with built-in Google apps and services. The only physical controls are the volume knob and air vents, a nod to modern minimalism.
Polestar hasn’t skimped on premium materials and creature comforts either. Available upholstery choices include Nappa leather, wool blends, and synthetic options made from recycled plastic bottles. Real wood trim adorns the dash, while the optional 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system brings concert-like sound quality.
The front seats, available heated and ventilated, provide a wide range of power adjustments via a nifty square control dial that can be toggled intuitively in multiple directions to alter positioning, bolstering, and lumbar support.
Polestar 3 Standout Interior Features:
- The standard panoramic glass roof
- 14.5-inch central touchscreen with Google built-in
- Digital instrument cluster and head-up display
- Premium upholstery options: Nappa leather, wool, recycled plastic
- Wood trim accents
- Heated, ventilated, and highly adjustable front seats
- Optional 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio
While the Polestar 3 forgoes a third row, it still offers decent cargo capacity with up to 47 cubic feet behind the rear seats. A small front trunk (or “frunk”) provides an additional 1 cubic foot of lockable storage as well.
Electrifying Performance
Under the skin, the Polestar 3 promises a driving experience as invigorating as its athletic design suggests. The long-range dual-motor AWD powertrain (standard on launch models) generates 483 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque – or up to 510 hp and stout 671 lb-ft with the optional Performance Pack.
Even without the Performance upgrade, Polestar estimates the 3 will hit 60 mph in a swift 4.8 seconds. And with gobs of instant electric torque, acceleration feels linear and relentless rather than explosive off the line.
But the Polestar 3 is about more than just straight-line thrills. The dynamic chassis highlights include:
- A mechanically locking rear differential to precisely vector torque between the rear wheels
- Sharp control-arm front suspension geometry
- Firm but well-damped adjustable air suspension
- Sophisticated vehicle dynamics control systems
These hardware upgrades, combined with a fairly low center of gravity for its size, give the Polestar 3 real agility and sporting poise when carving through corners. The steering, selectable between light and heavy modes, is accurate if a bit artificial in its heft.
Brembo performance brakes are standard, providing strong stopping power to rein in the SUV’s near-three-ton heft. But drivers can also take advantage of adjustable regenerative braking to aid in stopping and maximize efficiency through one-pedal driving.
Performance Highlights:
- 483 hp / 620 lb-ft (up to 510 hp / 671 lb-ft)
- 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds
- Rear torque-vectoring differential
- Adjustable air suspension
- Selectable steering weights
- Brembo performance brakes
- Strong regenerative braking
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Polestar 3
Robust Range and Fast Charging
Providing the power is a 107 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which in the long-range dual-motor configuration enables an estimated 300-mile driving range (279 miles with the Performance Pack’s extra punch). When it’s time to recharge, the Polestar 3 can intake electricity at rates up to 250 kW from a DC fast charger, replenishing the battery from 10-80% in around 30 minutes.
For homes or offices with Level 2 charging, the 3 includes an 11 kW onboard charger that can fully replenish the battery in about 11 hours. The slippery aerodynamics and ability to decouple the rear motor when cruising help maximize efficiency as well.
While the range and charging speeds are competitive with segment leaders, unfortunately, the Polestar 3’s large battery still means some amount of “charging guilt” and wait times are unavoidable when road tripping. At least drivers can pass the time in comfort and style inside the well-appointed cabin.
Advanced Driver Assistance Technology
Like many modern luxury EVs, the Polestar 3 offers an impressive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The available Pilot Pack includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, and even hands-free driving capability on certain mapped highways.
The key enabler is the “SmartZone” sensor housing at the front, packed with cameras and radar to provide a 360-degree view of the vehicle’s surroundings. More advanced versions add lidar sensors for improved detection.
Utilizing the intelligent systems properly will likely take some adjustment for new owners. But the ability to enable hands-free highway operation – combined with over-the-air software updates to steadily improve functionality – illustrates how ADAS can steadily evolve the driving experience.
Tons of Tech and Smart Car Features
Beyond ADAS, the Polestar 3 aims to deliver a cutting-edge smart car experience through seamless connected technology. At its core is the Android Automotive OS that powers the sharp 14.5-inch central touchscreen and digital displays. Google apps and services are built-in, enabling natural voice commands, real-time traffic data, automatic updates, and much more.
The Polestar 3 takes further advantage of its online connection with additional smart features like:
- Over-the-air software updates to steadily improve the vehicle over time
- A vehicle digital key that uses your smartphone for locking/unlocking
- In-car WiFi hotspot capability
- Real-time monitoring of battery status and charge levels via mobile app
Polestar also aims to deliver a unique digital experience with features like the camera-based “Polestar Panoramic Roof” that uses the central display to simulate an open-air driving environment. Whether these virtual flourishes feel gimmicky or genuinely useful remains to be seen.
The 3 further raises the technology bar with an available digital camera rearview mirror and fully digital control of the climate system through the touchscreen – no physical buttons or knobs necessary.
Competitive Pricing but Limited Availability
With cutting-edge technology and premium positioning, the Polestar 3 comes with a luxury price tag attached. The launch edition long-range dual-motor model starts at $75,300, with the Performance Pack increasing that to $81,300.
It’s worth noting these are just the starting prices before options, and a fully loaded Polestar 3 could easily crest above $90,000. Still, these figures undercut many competing luxury EV SUVs and even some gas-powered rivals like the Porsche Cayenne that Polestar calls out as a benchmark.
At launch, the Polestar 3 will face a bigger challenge from simple availability. The initial production run from the brand’s Chinese manufacturing facility is capped in the tens of thousands of units. But a U.S. production line in South Carolina should open by mid-2024, aiming to substantially boost supply and qualify Polestar for federal EV tax credits.
The Verdict: An Electrifying Luxury EV
With sleek Swedish styling, invigorating electric performance, and abundant premium tech, the Polestar 3 looks to be a seriously compelling entry into the luxury electric SUV arena. While it faces heavy competition, its unique blend of attributes could make it an ideal fit for buyers prioritizing dynamic driving characteristics without sacrificing spaciousness and digital amenities.
Polestar as a brand has an opportunity to carve out its own identity with vehicles like the 3. If it can deliver on its sporting yet sustainable vibe and steadily improve availability, Polestar could become the BMW of premium electric vehicles. The journey starts with the Polestar 3 electric SUV.
Polestar 3 Specifications
Price:
- Long Range Dual Motor: $75,300
- Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack: $81,300
Powertrain:
- Front Motor: Permanent-Magnet AC, 241 hp, 241/310 lb-ft
- Rear Motor: Permanent-Magnet AC, 268 hp, 268/361 lb-ft
- Combined Power: 483 hp / 510 hp (Performance)
- Combined Torque: 620 lb-ft / 671 lb-ft (Performance)
- Battery Pack: 107 kWh lithium-ion
- Onboard Charger: 11 kW
- Peak DC Fast Charge Rate: 250 kW
Dimensions:
- Wheelbase: 117.5 inches
- Length: 192.9 inches
- Width: 77.5 inches
- Height: 64.1 inches
- Curb Weight: 5,750-5,950 lbs (est)
Performance (est):
- 0-60 mph: 4.2-4.5 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 12.3-12.5 seconds
- Top Speed: 130 mph
EPA Range (est):
- 280-310 miles (Performance pack: 279 miles)
Let us know your thoughts on the Polestar 3 in the comments below! Does this premium electric SUV have what it takes to make a splash?