car tests Electric

The minimalism is especially evident in the way these numbers come to life. You won’t find shiny chrome or a screaming exterior, artificial engine noises or exaggerated “sport mode” on this car. No, all the luxury and performance is concealed under a layer of Snow White.

A stylistic Scandinavian designer jacket

An abandoned parking garage with light bars proves to be a fitting backdrop for this gleaming white spaceship with black accents and gold brake calipers. The reflections of the light emphasize the unusual shapes of this performance SUV and show it exactly as it is meant to be: modern, mysterious and a touch otherworldly. It is as if the Polestar 3 is lined up here for its next flight in Star Wars.

The Polestar 3 is not a traditional SUV, but neither is it a calibrated crossover. It balances exactly in between with a lower build and sharper lines. Despite its hefty dimensions – it sits on the same platform as the Volvo EX90 – it looks remarkably sporty, with an elegant roofline and a body optically low to the ground.

From the front you immediately recognize that this spaceship comes from Sweden. The typical Thor’s Hammer headlights characterize the front of the car, and here we find a special piece of aerodynamics. A continuous panel on the nose – a kind of open letterbox – directs airflow across the front of the car. At the rear, the bodywork slopes gracefully with an integrated rear spoiler that again optimizes aerodynamics.

It’s all in the details

The test car is finished in Snow White. This is not the standard factory color, but it does look very good. The contrast with the black accents around the wheel arches and door sills makes for a stylish whole and in this color scheme almost looks futuristic. The 22-inch rims from the Performance Pack more than fill the wheel arches and give the car extra visual power. Behind them are gold-colored Brembo brake calipers, a subtle hint at the serious performance possible with this car.

If you look closely, you will see even more stylistic design. The thinly framed exterior mirrors are works of art in themselves, and on the rear end, the continuous light bar beautifully accentuates the width of the car. The recessed door handles automatically slide out as you approach, and retract as soon as you get out – not only beautiful to look at, but also functional for air resistance. Opening the door also feels refined: no big tug on a latch, but a subtle, almost mechanical “click. Even the turn signal has its own sound, soft and minimalistic – as if a pebble is tapping against a window. Such details betray that the Polestar 3 was designed with care.

Flying over the road

The Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack is the most powerful version the brand currently offers. You can already see that subtly on the outside, but most of all you feel it as soon as you step on the gas pedal. Under the floor lies a 111 kWh battery, good for an official WLTP range of 567 kilometers. Together, the two electric motors deliver 380 kW (517 hp) and an impressive 910 Nm of torque. Four-wheel drive is standard with this Dual Motor, but Polestar has cleverly arranged the powertrain. During leisurely driving or long highway trips, the front electric motor can be switched off so that the car temporarily drives with only rear-wheel drive. That makes a noticeable difference in energy consumption, without sacrificing stability or instant throttle response.

If you depress the right pedal deeply, the two engines are engaged and the Polestar 3 shoots toward 100 km/h with brutal agility in 4.7 seconds. That’s a serious pace for an SUV of this size. Torque is always readily available, allowing you to effortlessly overtake or be the first one out at the traffic lights every time. There always seems to be power left over; acceleration is linear, quiet and convincing. The Polestar 3 is always there for you, without getting nervous – exactly what you expect from an electric performance SUV from Sweden.

Athletic giant

Driving the Polestar 3 Performance is all about balance: brute force on one side, refined suppleness on the other. The powertrain smoothly distributes power to both axles, making acceleration feel not only impressively quick, but also extremely controlled.

Despite its hefty size and weight, the Polestar 3 is surprisingly agile. It is not a hardcore sports car, that much is clear, but the way it corners deserves a little applause. The steering is direct and precise enough that the car handles nicely without feeling unnatural in a car of this size.

Here the adaptive air suspension system plays a leading role. In standard mode, the suspension comfortably filters out bumps and is somewhat softer sprung. As a result, you sometimes notice that the air suspension and body are not quite one. A little lateral movement takes place when you hit a bump in a corner, for example. However, if you put the suspension in the firm position, the car pulls together more tightly. The body moves less above the suspension and the Polestar 3 takes on a much more direct, sporty character. Only then do you notice how well this SUV knows how to control its mass – it dives sharply into corners and remains exemplarily stable in rapid changes of direction.

The driver’s position is also good, with seats that are not only pleasantly supportive, but also have adjustable cheeks so you can wedge yourself in a little deeper. This enhances the sense of control even more. You may sit a little higher than in a sports sedan, but you still become involved enough to enjoy what the Polestar 3 is capable of. It feels big, yes, but never unwieldy. Rather like an athletic giant that knows how to distribute its weight.

Figures in practice

With its 111 kWh battery pack, the Polestar 3 Performance is among the electric heavyweights. That means a considerable driving range, but also that you may have to be a bit patient with regular AC charging. If the battery is almost empty and you hang it at the public 11 kW charging station in the evening, keep in mind the large capacity – it may take a while to fill up completely.

On the road, fortunately, the pace is much faster. The Polestar 3 can fast charge up to 250 kW, allowing you to top up to about 80 percent within half an hour in favorable conditions. That makes the car suitable for long distances, especially if you plan charging routes via the integrated Google navigation. However, it is not comparable to the extreme performance of, say, the Lotus Eletre, which offers 355 kW of charging power. In practice, we noted an average consumption of 24 to 25 kWh per 100 km, representing a realistic range of about 400 kilometers. This makes it not as economical as a Polestar 4 – which manages to achieve 500 kilometers in practice with a 100 kWh battery pack.

Not only spacious, also practical

The Polestar 3 is not only powerful and beautifully designed, but also surprisingly thoughtful in everyday use. Take the trunk space. In the back, you’ll find a clever feature where you can lower the air suspension at the push of a button or, conversely, lift it slightly. This makes loading and unloading heavy items just that little bit easier – a typical example of the almost lavish luxury with which this car is equipped.

Under the charging floor is extra space to neatly store the charging cable, for example, while the floor itself is foldable. Folding it up reveals small hooks to hang shopping bags – cleverly thought out. In the front, the car also offers an additional 32 liters of storage space in the frunk.

The Polestar 3 also has serious towing capabilities: up to over 2,200 kilograms of braked trailer weight. This makes it not only an electric performance SUV, but also a practical travel companion for caravan or boat enthusiasts.

In the back seat, you benefit from the long wheelbase – 2.99 meters in total – so legroom is generous. Plenty of room in this ship. Behind a tall driver, you can sit comfortably as an adult. Still, it is not all perfect: due to the sporty, sloping roofline, headroom is somewhat limited, especially for tall passengers of around two meters. Also, because of the battery pack, the floor is relatively high, so your knees point up slightly. An adjustable rear seat would have been a welcome addition here.

Silence and style

Stepping into the Polestar 3, you immediately notice that this is not an average car. The interior exudes tranquility, simplicity and therefore has a typically Scandinavian feel. The test car was equipped with the Pilot Pack and the Plus Pack, which means you are immersed in a Polestar 3 with semi-autonomous driving capabilities and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

Additionally, this car had a Nappa upgrade with nice upholstery on the seats. The seats are exemplary: firm, but not hard, with perfect support on long drives. And yes, with Polestar you can turn on seat heating and ventilation at the same time. That may seem strange, but this is a conscious choice. For those driving in the winter with a thick coat, it can just get too hot. A little heating and cooling at the same time keeps the body in balance.

Speaking of details, the seat belts subtly bear the inscription Since 1959, a nod to the year Volvo released the patent for the three-point belt to the entire industry. Even the small tabs on the safety badges, visible on the floor mats in front of each seat betray that the Volvo roots are still present in this Polestar.

The choice of materials is remarkably diverse. Polestar dares to play with textiles, leather and light wood tones without looking unsettling. The whole thing feels sleek and modern, with a nod to minimalism. This already made the Polestar 2 a very different car from, say, the Tesla Model 3. The air vents are nicely integrated into the dashboard, although the wood texture around them turns out to be just hard plastic when touched. Not disturbing, but it takes away a bit of the illusion of natural material.

Technology is the standard

In contrast, there is the Bowers & Wilkins audio system with 25 speakers, one of which is elegantly visible on the dashboard and others are also integrated into the headrests. The sound quality is impressive and like a concert hall on wheels – clear, spacious and powerful.

For the driver, a compact digital display is located behind the steering wheel, displaying all essential information in typical Polestar design: clear, sleek and without unnecessary visual clutter. The central infotainment system runs on Google Services, which works intuitively. Navigation takes place with Google Maps and voice control is also controlled by Google. So it does know answers to your questions through its connection to the Internet, but an adjustment in the car itself is sometimes unclear.

Apple CarPlay is present wirelessly as standard, but Android Auto works only with a cable for now. Wireless support will follow via a software update. In practice, the bluetooth connection also proved not always stable; sometimes the system had to think for a while before connecting. That is a minor blemish on an otherwise very refined user experience.

The fixed panoramic roof provides an airy feeling in the interior. It cannot be opened, but the biothermal coating prevents it from getting too hot in summer. Combined with the quiet powertrain and excellent sound insulation – aided by active suppression of road noise – the Polestar 3 forms a particularly serene travel environment. It is a place where technology and tranquility meet – without noise, without excess – and exactly with the balance you would expect.

Silence with a backbone

The Polestar 3 Performance is a car of contrasts: huge and elegant, quiet and powerful, sporty and comfortable. It combines down-to-earth Swedish sobriety with design that can safely be called sci-fi-worthy. It is definitely a special appearance and an idiosyncratic player in the field of electric SUVs and crossovers.

Not that this spaceship can match the competition in all technical areas, but it is especially good at sailing its own course. As soon as you get in and press the gas pedal, it’s as if the Polestar 3 whispers: may the force be with you.

See and read all about the Polestar 5 – the new four-door performance GT