The Polestar 3 from Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC - electric SUV pushes range and comfort

Reviewed: ad hoc news Classics & Longseller desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-28, 22:02. Details in the imprint.

Polestar 3 slides onto the driveway with that low, almost coupé-like roofline and a light bar that glows like a horizontal strip of neon at dusk. You pull the flush door handle, sit down on the firm seats, and the cabin feels quietly Scandinavian rather than loud and flashy.

Battery, range and drivetrain

The Polestar 3 uses a large 111 kWh battery pack (approximate usable capacity 107 kWh) and is offered initially as a dual-motor all-wheel-drive SUV with up to 360 kW of power and 840 Nm of torque in the Performance Pack version. The standard dual-motor variant is rated slightly lower at 360 kW without the Performance Pack but still accelerates this sizeable SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in around 5 seconds.

Depending on specification, Polestar estimates WLTP range figures of up to about 610 km for the long-range dual-motor version on 21-inch wheels, while the more powerful Performance Pack cuts that figure somewhat but still stays comfortably above 500 km. In everyday motorway driving, early testers such as the team at Autocar report real-world consumption around 22-24 kWh per 100 km, putting it in line with other large premium electric SUVs.

How it feels on the road

On a typical suburban loop, the Polestar 3 feels planted rather than playful, helped by standard air suspension with active dampers that adjust on the fly to smooth out broken tarmac. Steering is tidy and predictable, and the low seating position relative to many SUVs makes the driver feel more inside the car than perched above it.

During a recent drive, Autocar's reviewer Matt Prior noted that the Polestar 3 "never really feels heavy-handed" despite weighing well over two tonnes, attributing that to careful tuning of the chassis and torque distribution across the two motors. You notice it when you turn into a roundabout: the front end tucks in cleanly, and the body stays remarkably flat, even if you are not in the sportiest setting.

Interior, screens and sound

Inside, the Polestar 3 follows a clean, horizontal design language with a tall central touchscreen running Google's Android Automotive-based infotainment, plus a compact digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Chief design officer Maximilian Missoni pushes a mix of textile and vegan leather surfaces that feel tactile rather than glossy, and cabin lighting is discreet even at night.

You notice the thin metal speaker grilles set flush into the doors when the optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system fires up, filling the cabin with sharp, well-defined sound rather than heavy bass alone. Autocar and other reviewers highlight the good visibility to the front, although the sloping rear can make the view through the back window feel slightly tight.

Charging and everyday practicality

The Polestar 3 supports DC fast charging at up to 250 kW, with Polestar quoting a 10-80 percent charge in around 30 minutes when plugged into a suitably powerful charger. AC charging is rated at up to 11 kW in European markets, which suits most home wallbox installations.

Boot space is competitive for this class, with around 597 litres behind the rear seats and more than 1,411 litres when they are folded, according to the official specifications. There is also a small front trunk useful for storing charging cables and small bags so they do not roll around the main boot.

Positioning and market context

Polestar places the Polestar 3 firmly in the premium electric SUV bracket, aimed at buyers who might otherwise look at a BMW iX, Mercedes EQE SUV or a high-spec Tesla Model Y but want a slightly more understated design. Initial production comes from a Volvo plant in Chengdu, China, with additional production for North America planned in South Carolina, although recent U.S. regulatory decisions on connected vehicles add uncertainty to long-term sales in that market.

Earlier this week, Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC confirmed that the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security denied its authorization to sell connected vehicles in the U.S. from the 2027 model year, forcing the company to lean even more on European demand. For buyers in key markets such as Germany, Scandinavia and the UK, the Polestar 3 becomes a strategic pillar rather than just a niche halo product.

Company context and shares

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC, headquartered in Göteborg with a UK holding structure, positions itself as a pure-play electric performance brand spun out of Volvo and Geely. Alongside the Polestar 2 liftback and upcoming Polestar 4 coupe-SUV, the Polestar 3 forms the core of its mid-term line-up in Europe.

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC shares (ISIN US7311052010) are listed on Nasdaq in the U.S., giving international investors direct exposure to the EV maker's product cycle and regulatory risks, even as future U.S. sales after the 2027 model year remain constrained by the recent connected-vehicle decision.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.