The Polestar 3 is the car that feels like the brand has been building towards since its rebirth. The Polestar 2 gave it a foothold in the EV world, while the Polestar 4 grabbed headlines with its blistering pace and its radical deletion of the rear window. But this is the responsible grown-up of the family.
The Polestar 3 is intended to be a proper luxury SUV that can finally take on the establishment, competing directly with top-end EV rivals, particularly from German brands. Yes ultimately this is a Chinese-owned brand now, but under the ‘Polestar’ banner, it doesn’t want to compete against the likes of BYD and XPeng, it’s going after BMW, Mercedes and Audi.
On paper, the credentials are certainly there. The Long Range Dual Motor version produces 483bhp from a 111kWh battery, which is enough to launch this near two-and-a-half-tonne machine from rest to sixty in just 4.8 seconds. Tick the Performance Pack box, and the power goes up, bringing that sprint time down to 4.5 seconds.
Polestar claims a range of 390 miles on the WLTP cycle, which is more than healthy for something of this scale. Prices begin at £75,900, though the car I tested, finished in Magnesium paint and equipped with the Plus Pack, the Pilot Pack and HD Matrix LED headlights, came to an eye-watering £85,300.
From the kerb the Polestar 3 looks every inch the premium SUV it wants to be. It avoids the flashiness of Tesla or the bullish bravado of the BMW iX. Instead, it wears clean, sharp lines with the sort of understated Scandinavian confidence that makes a strong impression without ever needing to shout.
The signature Thor’s Hammer headlights sit low and narrow at the front, while carefully sculpted surfaces and a unique airblade mounted at the top of the front of the bonnet, help the aerodynamics.
The side profile has real presence, with strong haunches, flush detailing and a roofline that flows neatly into the rear, where a full-width light bar underscores the car’s broad stance. It is a big vehicle, stretching to almost 4.9 metres in length and more than 2.1 metres across, but the proportions keep it looking taut and athletic rather than bloated.
Practicality is often the deciding factor in this class and the Polestar 3 does not disappoint. Open the tailgate and you find 484 litres of luggage space, which can be expanded to nearly 600 litres if you load up to the roofline.
Plus, there is also a useful little 32-litre frunk up front which is perfect for storing charging cables. It is not the outright biggest in the segment, but it is perfectly usable for family life.
Step inside the rear cabin and the sense of luxury is immediate. The long wheelbase of nearly three metres means legroom is generous, though the feet might be a little tight and your knees a tad higher due to the raised floor housing the battery.
Headroom remains decent despite the coupe-like slope of the roof. Rear passengers are treated to heated seats and their own touchscreen to control climate and media, and that expansive panoramic glass roof which floods the cabin with light. It feels more like a rolling Scandinavian lounge than the back of a traditional SUV, and the quality of materials reinforces that impression.
Up front, the minimalist Polestar ethos is laid bare. The cabin is stripped of clutter but not of luxury, with MicroTech upholstery, aluminium inlays and vegan-friendly trims giving it a modern, premium feel while still ticking the sustainability boxes.
The centre is dominated by a 14.5-inch portrait-style screen that runs Android Automotive, complete with Google Maps, Google Assistant and access to the Play Store. Ahead of the driver sits a smaller 9-inch display, and above that a sharp head-up display. Having said that, a few more buttons and more intuitive controls (like knobs to adjust the mirrors and steering position) would be welcome.
A highlight on this particular car (specced with the £5k Plus Pack) is the Bowers & Wilkins sound system. With 25 speakers and Dolby Atmos, it delivers an audio experience that is frankly astonishing. It really does feel like a concert hall on wheels. You can even select the ambience of the famous Abbey Road studios, and the little jet engine-like tweeter mounted on the centre top of the dash is an exquisite feature.
The driving position is commanding and the visibility forwards is good. The cameras are clear and comprehensive, which helps, but the beeps and bongs can become relentless in London traffic.
Out on the road, the Polestar 3 is more impressive than its heft would suggest. Acceleration is brisk and feels more than adequate for a car in this class. It is not as jaw-droppingly quick as the Polestar 4, but it does not need to be.
The real star of the show is the dual-chamber adaptive air suspension. It can soften itself for comfort, hunker down for aerodynamic efficiency, or firm up when you want to tackle a twistier road. Modes called Standard, Nimble and Firm give you plenty of choice, and Nimble, in my experience, offers the best balance for UK roads. You can also raise and lower the suspension.
Despite weighing over two and a half tonnes, the Polestar 3 remains composed through corners, cornering flatly and gripping with confidence. The steering is accurate, even if it lacks true feel, and the brakes are strong with adjustable regenerative settings. Oddly, while the one-pedal mode on the Polestar 4 was too grabby in the standard mode, in this 3 it was perfectly manageable.
On the motorway it settles into a serene rhythm, gliding along quietly and comfortably. Adaptive cruise and lane-keep assistance work well and reduce the strain of long journeys.
Another surprise – while the Polestar 4 appeared to give true range readings, the 3 tended to lose miles even around town, so I’d err on the side of around 20% less when it comes to the real-world range. But with 250 kilowatt DC charging capability, a 10 to 80 per cent top-up can be achieved in around half an hour if you find the right charger.
The Polestar 3 is a hugely impressive package. It is neatly designed, inside and out. It is comfortable, spacious and luxurious. It delivers strong performance, a useful range and a refined, comfortable ride.
It does have its downsides. At £85,000 as tested, it is serious money for a family SUV. And for that money, I’d want a few more buttons inside too.
But overall, the Polestar 3 feels like the most complete car the brand has built so far. It is stylish, practical, satisfying to drive and handsome.
If you want a family EV SUV that combines Scandinavian design, sustainability, genuine luxury and the kind of audio system that makes you linger in the driveway just to finish a song, then the Polestar 3 deserves a place in your shortlist.
