2025 Polestar 3: Sleek New Electric SUV Bolsters Polestar’s Lineup

Madrid, Spain—The long wait is almost over. The highly anticipated Polestar 3 electric luxury SUV is set to launch in Canada in the fourth quarter of 2024, with units coming from the brand’s retooled factory in South Carolina.

This model, along with the upcoming Polestar 4, will bolster a lineup that currently features the Polestar 2 sedan exclusively. Expanding with SUVs and crossovers is naturally a smart move by Polestar, and The Car Guide was among the media invited to Madrid for an opportunity to test drive pre-production models of the Polestar 3, whose SPA2 platform is shared with larger Volvo vehicles.

• Also: 2025 Polestar 4 Makes North American Debut, Pricing Announced
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Front Aero Wing

The exterior of the Polestar 3 borrows various design cues from the Precept concept unveiled in 2020, such as the front aero wing integrated into the hood that maximizes aerodynamic performance. Together with the aero wing integrated into the rear spoiler and the rear aero blades, the sporty electric SUV (which tips the scales at nearly 2.6 metric tons, by the way) achieves a remarkable drag coefficient of 0.29.

We’re not sure how effective the front aero wing will prove to be during winter when snow and ice build up between the wing and the hood. We’ll see. Just below is what the company calls the “SmartZone,” which collects several of the forward-facing sensors, a heated radar module and camera to form a signature of Polestar design.

Dual Motors

The five-passenger Polestar 3 is motivated by dual electric motors generating a combined 489 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque as standard or 517 horsepower and 671 lb-ft with the available Performance Pack. It can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds or 4.7 seconds, respectively. A decoupling function for the rear motor allows the vehicle to run solely on the front motor to save energy under certain circumstances. Incidentally, a single-motor variant will join the lineup in the future.

The Polestar 3 has a few other tricks up its sleeve, including an electric Torque Vectoring Dual Clutch function on the rear axle that was developed with the help of Borg Warner and makes the outside wheel spin faster when cornering. We put the system to the test in a Polestar 3 equipped with the Performance Pack and immediately felt the difference. A good jab at the throttle just before hitting the apex will pivot the vehicle into the perfect line to get out of the corner.

Adaptive Air Suspension

The dual-wishbone front and integral-link rear suspension on the Polestar 3 comes standard with adaptive air dampers that adjust electronically once every two milliseconds. These active dampers also enable 60 mm of ride height adjustment, meaning you can raise the vehicle for easier off-road driving or lower it for optimum wind-slicing performance and increased range on highways. The suspension is controlled via the centre screen and offers three settings, just like the steering system.

Mark our words, the Polestar 3 is impressively dynamic considering its weight and size. The Brembo brakes use four-piston callipers and 400mm discs up front and single-piston callipers and 390mm discs in the rear. Engineers have done an excellent job of tuning the regenerative braking system for seamless operation with the conventional brakes. Brake pedal feel is smooth and progressive at all times.

111kWh Battery

The Polestar 3 draws energy from a 111kWh battery that uses 17 modules comprising a total of 204 prismatic cells. It delivers an EPA-estimated range of 506 km—or 449 km with the Performance Pack. DC fast charging capacity of up to 250 kW combines with AC charging capacity of 11 kW.  

A heat pump is included as standard, helping the Polestar 3 utilize ambient heat for climate- and battery preconditioning. The vehicle is additionally equipped for bidirectional charging, enabling future potential for vehicle-to-grid and plug-and-charge capabilities.

Clean Cabin

A full-length panoramic glass roof floods the clean-looking cabin with sunlight. Taking centre stage is a tablet-style, 14.5-inch touchscreen split into three sections. Similar to the Polestar 2, the Polestar 3 benefits from Android Automotive OS as the in-car operating system, though wireless Apple CarPlay integration is available. A nine-inch digital instrument cluster faces the driver. Some of the controls require getting used to as they force you to go through the screen, even for adjusting the steering wheel and side mirrors.

During our test drive, we had to reset the system twice because the screen stopped responding to input. Hopefully this will be fixed in time for the production models. Remember, software issues are what caused the Polestar 3 to be delayed. Elsewhere, the floating centre console incorporates a pair of cup holders, a storage compartment, dual USB-C ports and a 15W wireless smartphone charging pad.

Meanwhile, Polestar designers have made extensive use of sustainable materials. The list includes bio-attributed MicroTech, animal welfare-certified Bridge of Weir leather and fully traceable wool upholsteries. There’s plenty of space in the first and second rows, with rear-seat passengers enjoying very generous legroom.

Available Packages

At launch, the first units will come with the Pilot Pack and the Plus Pack. The former includes a number of advanced driver assistance systems, while the latter is highlighted by a 1,610W Bowers and Wilkins premium sound system with 25 speakers.

Pricing for the Polestar 3 starts at $93,200, with the Performance Pack requiring an extra $7,000. The launch models featuring the Pilot Pack and Plus Pack will retail from $97,400. Needless to say customers won’t be entitled to any EV rebates from the federal and provincial governments.

One last thing: the resale value of Polestar 2 sedans currently on the used-car market is not that great, and we fear that upcoming models from the brand will suffer a similar fate. That’s definitely something to think about—unless you plan to lease, of course.

WATCH: The Car Guide drives the 2025 Polestar 3