The 2025 Polestar 3 marks an inflection point for the company. After launching with an expensive plug-in hybrid and a thrown-together follow-up act, Polestar finally sticks the landing with its third model, a well-rounded SUV that confidently targets top-shelf competitors.
This five-seat, two-row electric luxury crossover SUV is Polestar's moonshot, an assault on established players like Porsche with drum-tight build quality, competitive range, and solid performance all wrapped in an attractive design.
Dual- or Single-Motor Powertrains
Every Polestar 3 is powered by a 111-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack made up of 17 modules, built on a 400-volt electrical architecture. An upgraded 800-volt system for faster charging is likely to arrive in the coming years, as it's set to debut in the upcoming Polestar 5 hatchback and may make its way into existing models.
Buyers can choose between single- or dual-motor powertrains. The base long-range single-motor models deliver 299 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent through the rear wheels for a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph.
Stepping up to the long-range dual-motor model adds an electric motor to the front axle for all-wheel drive, ups power output to 489 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque, drops the 0-60 mph time to 4.8 seconds, and increases top speed to 130 mph.
Wondering how DC fast-charging works in real life? Check out our easy guide: A Primer on Public DC Fast Charging.
The long-range dual-motor Polestar 3 with the Performance package is the quickest and most powerful model, with 517 horsepower and 671 pound-feet of torque sent to all four wheels. The extra power drops the 0-60 mph sprint to 4.5 seconds, but top speed remains at 130 mph.
The base model rides on passive dampers paired with coil springs, a double wishbone front suspension, and an integral link rear suspension. Dual-motor models upgrade to an active air suspension for better control and more adjustability.
Every Polestar 3 is quick, but the Performance pack model is the scorcher. Unlike competitors, it’s not violent, won’t scare your mother, and the speed feels controlled and refined. The steering is nicely weighted and even provides some feedback as to what’s going on at the wheels. It’s not Porsche-level, but for electric power steering, it satisfies.
The suspension is tuned to be firm like a Porsche… but controlled. It’s never jarring, movements are all delivered with poise, and broken Midwest roads fail to upset the Polestar 3 even on 22-inch alloy wheels. If someone slapped a Porsche badge on the Polestar 3 and claimed it hailed from Germany, it might get away with it. Polestar has built a simpler Porsche, of which the world needs more.
Attractive, Understated Design
The Polestar 3’s styling is subdued but striking. Its Volvo-inspired Thor’s Hammer LED daytime running lights bookend a flow-thru front wing mounted at the leading edge of the hoodline. It’s neat and functional, and its aero element is only seen elsewhere on the electric Dodge Charger Daytona. Its sides are flat and minimalist, with flush door handles, giving the side profile an almost aviation-style look. The roofline dips quickly, giving coupe-like proportions similar to the Porsche Cayenne Coupe.
Around back, its pinched rear end appears to be squatting over huge haunches. Some drivers may find that the small rear window in the liftgate impacts visibility. Overall, it's simple, yet gorgeous. From the wheel designs to LED lighting, the Polestar 3 stands on little bits of understated flair.
Thinking of charging your EV at home? Discover the benefits in our guide: Benefits of Home Charging.
Inside, the Polestar 3 looks similar to other popular EVs, and the space will feel familiar for anyone who’s been in a Tesla, Rivian, or Ford Mustang Mach-E. A 9.0-inch digital gauge cluster floats behind the steering wheel, while a portrait-style 14.5-inch touchscreen anchors the dashboard. Polestar's Google-based infotainment system is easy to use and features wireless Apple CarPlay and built-in Google apps and services.
There are enough physical controls to satisfy, like a huge console-mounted volume knob, but usability quiblles are noticeable. While it's not a long list, they're frustrating. The steering wheel buttons are unmarked, and their functions only show in the gauge cluster when touched. We hope the driver has a good memory. Additionally, the driver's side door only has one set of window switches, and they must be toggled back and forth to control the front and rear windows. Perhaps worst of all is that you can't adjust the following distance for the adaptive cruise control.
When it comes to driver assist tech, every Polestar 3 features automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver-attention monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts. A surround-view camera system is optional, along with a package that adds lidar sensors that could deliver a further degree of hands-free driving functionality via over-the-air updates.
Room For Five Passengers and All Their Stuff
Five adults fit comfortably in the Polestar 3. The front seats, with up to eight-way power adjustability, are perfect for long road trips, and the back bench has plentiful leg, knee, and foot room. However, depending on their frame size, anyone seated in the middle of the second row might feel snug.
Polestar nailed the 3’s cargo versatility. The rear seatbacks split 60/40, and the center armrest can fold to create a center pass-through for longer items. With the second row seatback up, there's 21.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 49.8 when that row is folded. There's a hidden storage compartment under the rear cargo floor that's large enough for the vehicle's charging cable or a small backpack, and under the hood, there's a 1.1 cubic foot frunk that's also big enough to hold a small backpack.
Range, Charging, and Pricing
The most efficient Polestar 3 is the long-range single-motor model, which has an EPA-rated range of up to 350 miles. Opting for a dual-motor model reduces range to 315 miles, while a long-range dual-motor model with the Performance pack can go up to 279 miles on a charge.
Polestar says the 3 can go from a 10% to 80% state of charge in 30 minutes using a DC fast-charger. Home charging with a 240-volt Level 2 setup (48 amps) takes roughly 11 hours via the onboard 11-kilowatt charger.
The 2025 Polestar 3 is on sale now. Starting prices range between $68,900 and $80,800, including a $1,400 destination charge.
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