2025 Polestar 3 First Drive Review
The latest Polestar delivers impressive performance and utility in a beautiful electric crossover SUV.
Perry Stern
While Polestar may not be a household name, the Swedish brand has existed for nearly three decades. After originating as an independent racing team, it became Volvo's in-house tuning wing in 2009 and was spun off as a separate electric performance company in 2017. The all-new 2025 Polestar 3 is its latest offering.
With its sleek roofline, wide stance, and flowing shape, the Polestar 3 stands out from other crossovers. As with many electric vehicles, it was designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind, and I find the flowing lines attractive.
With a dual-motor electric powertrain, all-wheel drive, and adaptive suspension, the Polestar 3 delivers on the promise of performance.
The 2025 Polestar 3 base model starts at around $75,000 or as a Launch Edition, which starts around $80,000. I spent a day driving a Polestar 3 Launch Edition and thoroughly enjoyed my time behind the wheel.
With its quick acceleration and smooth, quiet ride, I found the drivetrain delivered excellent performance. In addition, The cabin is elegant and spacious, and I appreciated the high-quality materials along with the outstanding audio system.
Perry Stern
There's Lots to Like About the Polestar 3
The Polestar 3 features an all-new electric vehicle platform developed by Volvo for the new Volvo EX90. It marks Polestar's first foray into the SUV segment.
Polestar has penned a distinctive look for the 3, incorporating unusual functional design elements. For example, the front aero wing adds downforce and improves stability and handling, while an additional wing at the rear helps to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve efficiency. With its stylish LED headlights that frame the front end and a rear light bar that spans the width of the rear hatch, the Polestar 3 has a wide stance, apparent in the daytime or at night.
Inside, Polestar's new SUV has one of the cleanest designs I've seen in a production vehicle. Aside from a single dial for adjusting stereo volume and pausing music playback, there are no physical controls in the Polestar 3. There's not even a start button; get in with the key and the vehicle comes to life.
Perry Stern
Polestar refers to this clean look as "Scandinavian minimalism," and the result is a wide dashboard and open center console that gives the 3 a spacious feel. I found the cabin impressively roomy, with plenty of space for both front and rear passengers.
A 14.5-inch touchscreen display is the primary interface for infotainment features and vehicle functions. The operating system is Google-based, utilizing Google Maps as its native navigation system and Google Assistant as its voice interface. Polestar mounts a 9.0-inch digital driver's display on the steering column, which moves when the steering wheel is adjusted.
Premium interior materials contribute to Polestar's sustainability goals. Even the available perforated nappa leather from Bridge of Weir is chrome free, traceable, and follows animal welfare standards. Other surfaces and features utilize recycled textiles and natural fiber composites.
The Polestar 3 may be a powerful, high-end crossover SUV, but it doesn't skimp on utility. The rear cargo area offers up to 21.1 cubic-feet of space behind the rear seats, which includes 3.2 cu-ft hidden under the floor. There's an additional 1.13 cu-ft of storage under the hood in the front trunk, or the frunk.
Perry Stern
On-Road Performance Is Excellent
Polestar invited me to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to drive a Polestar 3 Launch Edition, which includes the Pilot, Plus, and Performance option packages. The test vehicle had extra-cost Thunder (gray) paint and optional ventilated nappa leather seats, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $93,100, including the $1,400 destination charge to ship the SUV from the Chengdu, China, assembly plant to your local dealership.
The Polestar 3's dual-motor electric powertrain generates 489 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque and has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 315 miles. With the optional Performance Pack, the output measures 517 horsepower and 671 lb-ft of torque, but the range drops to 279 miles. The drivetrain continuously adjusts power distribution depending on the situation, and the rear motor's torque vectoring system can increase power to the left or right wheels for more agile handling.
Perry Stern
When outfitted with the optional Performance pack, Polestar says this electric crossover can reach 60 mph in 4.5 seconds — although it felt much quicker to me. Acceleration from 50 mph is immediate, and your speed climbs quickly, so drivers should be careful when passing.
No matter the situation, the Polestar 3 delivers impressive performance with a smooth and quiet ride. I found the steering response spot on, and that the chassis nicely absorbs bumps in the road while providing remarkable stability in lumpy corners. The Performance pack's 22-inch wheels and tires also deliver plenty of grip, making the 3 enjoyable to push hard on a twisty road.
With comfortable, supportive seats and incredible sound from the Plus Pack's 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, the Polestar 3 is a vehicle I'd happily drive every day.
Perry Stern
The Polestar 3's Cabin Takes Minimalism to the Max
From a design perspective, I understand why Sweden-based Polestar created a minimalist cabin. In regard to commonly used vehicle functions, however, I feel the approach adds complexity instead of simplicity.
For instance, integrating the climate and audio functions into the infotainment isn't unusual in modern vehicles. However, Polestar went a bit further. To adjust the outside mirrors, I had to go into a vehicle settings menu in the infotainment system, choose the appropriate mirror, and adjust via the steering wheel controls. A similar process is necessary to alter the position of the steering wheel.
Granted, such adjustments are often performed infrequently, and settings for different drivers can be saved. Nevertheless, it was frustrating to realize that tweaking the steering wheel position while underway required accessing an onscreen menu. Opening the glovebox also requires locating the release in the vehicle settings menu;there isn't a physical button.
While Polestar 3 owners might get used to such a setup, I found the controls needlessly complicated.
Perry Stern
The Polestar 3 Competes in the Luxury Segment
Polestar may not be the most familiar name in automobiles, but with innovative and stylish vehicles such as the Polestar 3, the relatively new brand is making waves.
Along with its distinctive designs Polestar's dedication to sustainability adds another level of appeal. Though some drivers might find the Polestar 3's interior controls — or lack thereof — frustrating, I found the cabin comfortable and appreciated the premium, high-tech vibe. In my opinion, overall performance is also outstanding, making it a delight to drive.
Those traits position the Polestar 3 as a compelling alternative to other electric crossovers, including the Audi Q8 E-tron, BMW iX, and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
Polestar provided the vehicle for this 2025 Polestar 3 review and paid for airfare, lodging, and meals during the evaluation period.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Perry SternI have loved cars and trucks since childhood, and that fascination with anything that drives is just as strong today. As a teenager, I knew I wanted to become an automotive journalist, and during the past three decades, I have driven, written about, and photographed all manner of automobiles ranging from affordable econocars to exotic supercars. With the idea that there is a perfect car, truck, or SUV for everyone, my goal is to help consumers determine the right one for their wants and needs.
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