The Polestar 3 looks much as it did when it debuted in 2022, but the electric SUV has received substantial technical updates as competition from premium rivals grows. The changes address some of the model’s previous weaknesses, including charging speed and energy consumption.
The most significant change is the move from a 400-volt to an 800-volt electrical system, shared with the Volvo EX90, which uses the same platform. At compatible charging stations, the Polestar 3 can accept up to 350 kW. Polestar says charging from 10 to 80 percent takes about 22 minutes; that figure was also achieved during the test, under ideal temperature conditions.
The update also brings a newly developed rear motor and an Nvidia processor that the manufacturer says provides eight times more computing power. In the tested all-wheel-drive version, an additional front motor can switch off when its power is not needed, a change intended to improve efficiency. The increased computing capacity also supports the car’s driver-assistance systems.
On the road, the tested version produced 522 horsepower and reached 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. A more powerful 588-horsepower model is available, with a claimed 0-to-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds. The SUV’s speed is electronically limited at 230 km/h. Despite weighing around 2.5 tonnes, it felt composed in corners, while its air suspension helped smooth rough roads.
The 106 kWh battery is smaller than the one in the previous model, but the revised Polestar 3 proved more efficient. The test reported nearly 500 kilometers of real-world range on the highway, compared with an official WLTP figure of up to 647 kilometers. At a 400-volt charging station, however, charging power is limited to 120 kW, lower than the previous model’s capability at those older chargers.
The exterior design remains largely unchanged, with a closed front, slim headlights and a rear light bar spanning most of the vehicle’s width. The cabin also retains its previous layout, combining dark wood, aluminum, leather and plastic. Its central portrait display and smaller driver screen responded quickly during the test, while Google’s Gemini assistant can help with route planning and climate settings.
The review concluded that the updates make the Polestar 3 more competitive in the premium segment, particularly by addressing its charging and efficiency shortcomings. The SUV starts at €78,900 with rear-wheel drive and €87,900 with all-wheel drive; the tested vehicle was priced at €109,400.
Sources: Handelsblatt.