Polestar’s numbering for its models keeps going up, which might be confusing, as despite the 5 due this year, the 3 is as large as Polestars will get for now. It shares Volvo’s SPA2 platform with the Volvo EX90, and now that we’ve driven that car, we felt it was time to revisit the Polestar 3.
Design and interior
There is no doubt that the Polestar 2 is a great EV, but outside it perhaps borrows too much Volvo style. Almost as result of this, the Polestar 3 and 4 have been the opportunity for Volvo’s sporty EV sister company to define its own look. With the Polestar 3, the key part of its look when compared to the EX90 must be the lower, more coupe-like roofline – which despite its 4.9 metre length, has the effect of making this big SUV look smaller and shorter. Elsewhere, there’s a different take on the split front headlights, an unusual grille funnelling air up the bonnet, distinctive wing mirrors, and a noticeable lower cut-out down the flanks.
The Polestar 3 is an attractive and distinctive car on the outside, and it’s the same on the inside. The lower roofline feels more big estate than SUV, yet headroom front and rear isn’t an issue even for the tallest. The driving position is comfortable, and the seats look and feel like Volvo items which are plushily trimmed in responsible leather trim (neither is a bad thing!). The simple horizontal dashboard design is attractive, and in our opinion, the vertical 14.5in infotainment screen (more like the Polestar 2) is easier to live with than the vertical screen in the Polestar 4. There’s also a smaller 9in screen in front of the driver.
Move to the rear, and space remains excellent, although you’re sitting quite high, with raised knees, because you’re sat on the battery. The panoramic glass roof is an attractive feature, as it lets welcome light into the interior. The fit and finish feels special enough considering our test car’s £89,000+ price. Most impressive is the interior detailing, particularly items such as the type of leather on the seats. Another impressive interior feature is the incredible 1,610-watt, 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which is part of a very full optional ‘Plus Pack’, priced at a not inconsiderable £5,000! There is also a generally practical 484-litre boot – although that curvy rear window limits some of its usefulness.
Considering Polestar is the sister company to Volvo, it’s disappointing that we feel Polestar 3 drivers will be too reliant on the infotainment screen – as too many features are hidden in too many menus that are not always easy to access on the move. We’re sure it would get easier to operate the more time you spend using it, but we found it fiddly and sometimes distracting on our test drive.
The Polestar 3 is also the brand’s first car to feature centralised computing with the NVIDIA DRIVE core computer, running software from Volvo Cars. Serving as the AI brain, the NVIDIA platform can process data from the car’s multiple sensors and cameras to enable driver monitoring and assistance features. In our opinion, this technology is better integrated into the Polestar 3 than the Volvo EX90.
Performance and drive
The Polestar 3 has a 111kWh battery pack, 400-volt architecture, and can be charged at up to 250kW. There are two versions, both with twin motors, offering 483hp or 510hp, with Long Range Single Motor versions due next year. We had the 483hp version, which has 361lb ft of torque, acceleration to 60mph in 4.8 seconds, and most importantly has an official range of 380 miles.
On the road, standard air suspension means that despite the 20in wheels fitted to our Long Range Dual Motor car, the ride generally is impressively supple. However, it’s less convincing on some of the smaller, less well-kept roads, where it can feel occasionally floaty.
Next up is the steering, which feels sportier, thanks to its weightier feel, and is sharper in response than its sister car the EX90.
The Polestar 3 is fitted with a clever torque vectoring differential. The way this car, which weighs over 2.5 tonnes, turns in and exits corners, plus the body control, is truly impressive. With nearly 500hp, you never feel short of performance, but efficiency and range are also impressive.
The Single Motor version is likely to have the longest range, and as such will be more suitable for fleets. However, this Polestar, even in Long Range form, is the brand’s most impressive model yet, with its unusual styling, attractive and spacious interior, and the keen drive.
Positive: Keen drive, distinctive interior and exterior styling, good range.
Negative: Some infotainment issues, boot on the small side, sometimes feels large.
Standard equipment: LED headlights, panoramic glass roof, Bio-attributed WeaveTech upholstery, sports comfort front seats, heated front seats, comfort rear seats, three-zone electronic climate control, touch-sensitive multi-function steering wheel, 9in driver display, 14.5in infotainment screen, 300-watt 10-speaker audio system.
Engine: Electric: 483hp, 536hp
Equipment grades: Long Range Single Motor, Long Range Dual Motor, Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack
Transmission: Single-speed auto
| Model | Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor 360kW 111kWh |
| P11D | £75,845 |
| Residual value | 47.6% |
| Depreciation | £39,838 |
| Fuel | £4,217 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £4,022 |
| Cost per mile | 80.12p |
| Range | 380 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (3%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £38/£76 |
| Luggage capacity | 526 litres |
| Battery size/power | 111kWh/483hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
