We get behind the wheel of Polestar’s impressive new kid on the block…
New Polestar models are a little like waiting for a bus. You wait for ages, then two come along at once.
Full marks to the rightly popular Polestar 2 for flying the flag since its launch in 2020, but the bigger, more upmarket Polestar 3 and 4 will provide a welcome boost to the luxury EV performance maker.
Despite its lower number, the subject of this review is the more expensive car (newer models get high numbers in Polestar land).
Built on the same platform that underpins the new EX90 of sister brand Volvo, the sleek Polestar 3 looks like no other SUV on the road, with its low roofline, sloping bonnet and smooth surfaces.
Inside, it’s what we’ve come to expect from cutting-edge premium EVs, but thankfully, it’s not as minimalist as some, and at least there’s a driver’s digital display with essential info to complement the massive 14.5-inch portrait-orientated touchscreen running Google’s superb Android Automotive operating system.
And even though there are short-cuts on the homescreen, having to adjust the steering wheel height/reach and door mirrors via the screen and steering wheel pads is a faff. And like a Tesla, opening the glovebox involves a prod of the touchscreen too.
Oh, and a special mention for the epic Bowers & Wilkins audio system fitted to our car.
And thanks to its not insignificant 2985mm wheelbase and 4900mm overall length, it spacious inside. Surprisingly, there’s ample headroom in the rear too, though the high floor does mean passengers sit in a knees-up position and there’s little room to put your feet under the front seat if the driver lowers their seat.
Priced from £69,900, three versions of Polestar 3 will be on offer – an entry-level single motor (coming soon) and an all-wheel drive dual motor (£75,900), plus the latter with a Performance Pack (£81,500).
All get a 111kWh (107kWh usable) battery as standard, giving the base-spec model 390 miles of range on a single charge, while even the range-topper gets an impressive 348 miles.
At launch, only the dual motors will be available, delivering 483bhp or 510bhp (Performance Pack), which translates into brisk 0-62mph times of 4.8 and 4.5 seconds. We tested the former, which offered more than enough grunt.
On the road, Polestar 3 initially feels big, but such is the driver-focused set-up and low centre of gravity, it’s surprisingly agile for a substantial car that weighs around 2.5 tonnes.
Of course, there are no issues with traction and its more than fast enough. If anything, the ride is on the firm side (the optional 22-inch wheels probably didn’t help matters), but for the most part it’s smooth and comfortable.
There are Range and Performance drive modes, plus adjustments can be made to the adaptive suspension and steering feel (all via the touchscreen).
It’s at its best cruising, but if you do decide to push on in Performance mode, Polestar 3 is well up to the challenge, feeling planted with minimal body lean in more challenging corners with lots of technology, such as torque vectoring, working its magic.
Responsive brakes (not a given with EVs, even in this price range) and sharp steering complete the picture, helping to inspire confidence.
Frankly, it’s hard to pick holes in Polestar 3. Perhaps the only disappointment is the boot space, which is wide but shallow, resulting in a modest capacity of 394 litres (1,411 litres with all the seats down). On the plus side, there’s also a 32-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet – ideal for storing charging cables.
Talking of which, there’s a 400-volt architecture (though some cheaper rivals have 800-volt systems), which will give a 10-80% recharge in as little as 30 minutes via a 250kW connection.
There are three brake regen settings, but sadly no steering wheel paddles. Instead, selection is via the touchscreen.
We’d need a longer time behind the wheel to give a real-world estimate of the car’s efficiency, but driven sensibly, around 3 miles per kWh should be possible, which is par for the course.
Polestar 3 is produced in the US and China, and its rivals include everything from the BMW iX to the Audi Q8 e-tron, Tesla Model Y, Jaguar I-Pace and Mercedes EQE SUV.
Verdict: Good looking, spacious, packed with tech, engaging to drive and oozing quality, the distinctive Polestar 3 SUV has been well worth the wait.
