Review: Polestar 3
Polestar 3 Review
You’ll have probably seen the Polestar 2 on the UK’s road. The swoopy, angular electric vehicle has been the Scandinavian firm’s primary model for some time and while it has proven to be popular, Polestar has been keen to get some additional vehicles into its range for some time. That all starts with this - the Polestar 3.
It’s a model which enters into the uber-popular electric SUV segment but does so with some very clever on-board technology alongside a decent amount of range that’ll help out during those longer journeys. Is it any good though? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
There’s a whole that is new underneath the Polestar 3. It’s on a fresh platform which was created by owners Geely and shared with Volvo for its EX90. However, whereas the EX90 is available as a seven-seater, the Polestar 3 will only be offered in five-seater guise. Why? Well, Polestar wants to maximise interior space to ensure that this car is comfortable and easy to travel over long distances.
Inside, there are loads of high-quality materials and while Polestar may have pioneered the use of Vegan-friendly materials, you can get the 3 with a full leather interior which helps to boost that premium feel overall.
What’s under the bonnet?
As with the 2, the Polestar 3 will be available with a series of powertrain options as it progresses. However, it’ll launch with a Long range dual motor setup which can be optionally equipped with a Performance Pack to increase power and reduce acceleration. However, the standard version will no doubt prove punchy enough for most, with 0-60mph coming in 4.8 seconds alongside a range of up to 390 miles. A single-motor version due later in the year will no doubt offer more range between trips to the plug, too.
The Polestar 3 is also equipped with super-fast charging speeds of up to 250kW, meaning that it a 10 to 80 per cent charge of its large 107kWh battery could be finished in just 30 minutes when it’s hooked up to a suitably rapid charger.
What’s the Polestar 3 like to drive?
Polestar has equipped the 3 with a clever torque-vectoring system on the rear axle which allows it to cleverly divide power between the back wheels to ensure that grip is maintained no matter how hard you’re cornering. It pays dividends in the bends, that’s for sure, as this 2.67-tonne SUV handles far better than you’d expect from its size and shape. Rearward visibility is slightly compromised due to the thick pillars, mind you, but the view forward is great thanks to the large front screen.
Naturally, being this large means that the Polestar 3 takes a little effort to drive through narrower lanes or roads, but you soon get used to it while the intuitive gear selector means that getting up to speed with the Polestar 3 is a simple enough process.
How does it look?
It’s nice to see that Polestar has chosen to tie the 3 in with the older 2 in terms of design, though there are plenty of touches that help it to stand alone in its own right. The upright stance teams with slim headlights to create a very eye-catching car overall, while the general size of the 3 means that it commands attention wherever it goes.
There are plenty of other neat touches across the car, too. It’s very clean overall - though we like the writing close to the front wheels which showcase the powertrain’s details - while at the rear there’s the full-width lightbar which appears to be a must-have in this segment.
What’s it like inside?
The benefit of the electric-first platform underneath the 3 is meant to be plenty of space and that’s definitely the case when you first get into the car. There’s bags of room throughout while rear-seat passengers benefit from plenty of head- and legroom. Up front, both driver and passenger have a comfortable place to sit while a handy readout for the person behind the wheel means you don’t have to rely on the large central screen for all of your information.
Boot space isn’t bad, either. There are 597 litres of space back there when loaded to the roof and you can, of course, lower the rear seats to extend this. What we really like is the inclusion of a 55-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet which is ideal for storing the charging cables. It means you don’t have to unload the boot to access some kind of under-floor area - which is the case in a lot of current electric vehicles.
What’s the spec like?
Polestar is pitching the 3 as a premium product, which is reflected in its starting price of £79,900. However, it’s absolutely jam-packed with technology and features, including a massive portrait-orientated screen which runs Android’s Automotive software as standard. This helps to give quick access to a lot of the most popular applications out there, including Google Maps which runs seamlessly and looks great overall.
Elsewhere, there are plenty of other standard features which would quickly ramp up the price of rival offerings when added as optional extras. Highlights include a huge panoramic roof, an electric tailgate and a high-definition 360-degree parking camera.
Polestar 3 Verdict
There’s a lot of competition in the electric SUV segment. Rivals from established German carmakers are commonplace, so the Polestar 3 definitely has a tough job in front of it. However, from this initial drive things look positive; the 3 is comfortable and easy to drive while incorporating loads of features that drivers will appreciate.
It may be worth hanging on for the single motor version - as this, traditionally, offers the best-possible range - but if extra performance is what you’re after, then this launch version of the Polestar 3 makes for a very appealing prospect.
Polestar 3 Lease Deals
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