After spending time with the Long Range Dual Motor version of the Polestar 3 earlier this year, we concluded it was Polestar’s most impressive current model – but did wonder if the Single Motor version might be more suitable for fleet. Well, the Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor is finally available in the UK, and we can answer the question of which version is best.
Design and interior
Outside, Single and Dual Motor versions of the Polestar don’t look any different, and this is deliberate. Even coming up to a year on-sale, the Polestar 3 still stands out against key rivals, such as the recently facelifted BMW iX.
The design highlight, when compared with the Volvo EX90 (they share the same SPA2 platform), is the distinctive, lower, more coupe-like roofline. At 4.9 metres long, the Polestar is a big car, but that lower roofline has the effect of making this SUV look smaller and shorter, with the unusual lower cut out down the flanks. Other key identifiers are the split front headlights, the sealed grille funnelling air up the bonnet, and distinctive wing mirrors.
The Polestar 3 is an attractive and distinctive car on the outside, and it’s the same on the inside. The lower roofline makes it feel more like a big estate than an SUV, yet headroom front and rear isn’t an issue for the tallest. The driving position is comfortable, and the seats look and feel like Volvo items. The simple horizontal dashboard design is attractive, and in our opinion, the vertical 14.5in infotainment screen (more like the Polestar 2) is still easier to live with than the vertical screen in the Polestar 4, and 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 a particularly attractive feature, whatever the weather, as it lets welcome light into the interior. This might be the entry-level Polestar 3, but it doesn’t feel any less attractively detailed than our previous £89,000+ Dual Motor test car, even though it’s considerably cheaper, with prices starting at £69,910. Most impressive remains the interior detailing – there’s no leather here, but the animal welfare wool trim still looks good on the seats. Another impressive interior feature is the incredible 1,610 watt, 25 speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, part of a very full optional ‘Plus Pack’ that was fitted to our test car, and priced at a not considerable £5,000! There is also a 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, as we’ve mentioned before, that we feel Polestar 3 drivers will be too reliant on the infotainment screen – as too many features are hidden in too many menus and 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. Serving as the AI brain, the NVIDIA platform can process data from the 3’s multiple sensors and cameras to enable driver monitoring and assistance features. In our opinion, this technology is better integrated into the 3 than the EX90.
Performance and drive
The Single Motor version of the Polestar 3 retains a 111kWh battery pack, with 400-volt architecture, and it can be fast charged up to 250kW. There is just one Single Motor version, but performance at 299hp is still substantial. This Polestar 3 also boasts 490Nm of torque, acceleration to 62mph in 7.5 seconds, and most importantly an official range of up to 438 miles.
There are changes for the Single Motor version of the Polestar 3 underneath, as it gets a newly developed chassis. Gone is the air suspension, to be replaced by all-new passive dampers, with steel springs. Designed to offer the same comfort and ride quality as an air suspension-equipped car, on the road, in the main we found this to be true. Standard wheel size is 20in – our car was fitted with optional 21in wheels (part of the Pro option pack), and if you go for a Performance version, they are on the biggest 22in wheels. The only obvious demerit over the air suspension was the unsettled low-speed ride; elsewhere, the ride remains impressively supple.
There are no ‘Performance’ or ‘Range’ modes in the Single Motor Polestar 3, but there are three steering modes, ‘light,’ ‘standard,’ and ‘firm’. We found ‘firm’ was the only mode with a noticeable difference, as a decent change in weight is obvious.
The Single Motor car, in our opinion, is the keener drive – there’s none of the occasional float on smaller, less well-kept roads that affects Dual Motor cars, plus the steering feels even more precise, and even keener to turn in, because there’s less weight at the front.
With nearly 300hp, you never feel short of performance, but efficiency and range are also impressive.
With its longer range, and lower price, it’s a no brainer that the new Long Range Single Motor version is our pick of the excellent Polestar 3 range. However, on top of this, we believe the cheapest version of the Polestar 3 is also the best to drive.
Closest rival, in our opinion must be the BMW iX 45, in M Sport spec, which has less range at 367 miles, but more performance at 408hp. It is also more expensive too, with a base price of £77,400 – without options. With its attractive, unusual styling and pleasing detailing, plus comfortable and practical interior, the Polestar might swing our decision, if we were in the lucky position to be able to choose either for a company car.
Positive: Keener drive than the Dual Motor version, distinctive interior and exterior styling, attractive brand detailing, good range.
Negative: Unsettled low speed ride, some infotainment issues, boot on the small side, can sometimes feel 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 watts 10-speaker audio system.
Engine: Electric: 299hp,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 Single Motor 220kW/111kWh |
| P11D | £69,845 |
| Residual value | 44.2% |
| Depreciation | £39,020 |
| Fuel | £3,771 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £3,751 |
| Cost per mile | 77.57p |
| Range | 438 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (3%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £35/£70 |
| Luggage capacity | 526 litres |
| Battery size/power | 111kWh/299hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
