We get behind the wheel of Polestar’s spectacular new child on the block…
New Polestar fashions are just a little like ready for a bus. You look ahead to ages, then two come alongside directly.
Full marks to the rightly in style Polestar 2 for flying the flag since its launch in 2020, however the larger, extra upmarket Polestar 3 and 4 will present a fine addition to the luxurious EV efficiency maker.
Regardless of its decrease quantity, the topic of this evaluate is the costlier automobile (newer fashions get excessive numbers in Polestar land).
Constructed on the identical platform that underpins the brand new EX90 of sister model Volvo, the modern Polestar 3 appears like no different SUV on the street, with its low roofline, sloping bonnet and easy surfaces.
Inside, it’s what we’ve come to count on from cutting-edge premium EVs, however fortunately, it’s not as minimalist as some, and at the least there’s a driver’s digital show with important data to enrich the huge 14.5-inch portrait-orientated touchscreen working Google’s excellent Android Automotive working system.
And though there are short-cuts on the homescreen, having to regulate the steering wheel top/attain and door mirrors by way of the display and steering wheel pads is a faff. And like a Tesla, opening the glovebox includes a prod of the touchscreen too.
Oh, and a particular point out for the epic Bowers & Wilkins audio system fitted to our automobile.
And due to its not insignificant 2985mm wheelbase and 4900mm general size, it spacious inside. Surprisingly, there’s ample headroom within the rear too, although the excessive ground does imply passengers sit in a knees-up place and there’s little room to place your toes underneath the entrance seat if the driving force lowers their seat.
Priced from £69,900, three variations of Polestar 3 might be on provide – an entry-level single motor (coming quickly) and an all-wheel drive twin motor (£75,900), plus the latter with a Efficiency Pack (£81,500).
All get a 111kWh (107kWh usable) battery as normal, giving the base-spec mannequin 390 miles of vary on a single cost, whereas even the range-topper will get a powerful 348 miles.
At launch, solely the twin motors might be accessible, delivering 483bhp or 510bhp (Efficiency Pack), which interprets into brisk 0-62mph occasions of 4.8 and 4.5 seconds. We examined the previous, which provided greater than sufficient grunt.
On the street, Polestar 3 initially feels massive, however such is the driver-focused set-up and low centre of gravity, it’s surprisingly agile for a considerable automobile that weighs round 2.5 tonnes.
In fact, there aren’t any points with traction and its greater than quick sufficient. If something, the trip is on the agency aspect (the non-obligatory 22-inch wheels in all probability didn’t assist issues), however for probably the most half it’s easy and cozy.
There are Vary and Efficiency drive modes, plus changes may be made to the adaptive suspension and steering really feel (all by way of the touchscreen).
It’s at its greatest cruising, however if you happen to do determine to push on in Efficiency mode, Polestar 3 is effectively as much as the problem, feeling planted with minimal physique lean in more difficult corners with numerous know-how, equivalent to torque vectoring, working its magic.
Responsive brakes (not a given with EVs, even on this value vary) and sharp steering full the image, serving to to encourage confidence.
Frankly, it’s exhausting to choose holes in Polestar 3. Maybe the one disappointment is the boot house, which is extensive however shallow, leading to a modest capability of 394 litres (1,411 litres with all of the seats down). On the plus aspect, there’s additionally a 32-litre ‘frunk’ underneath the bonnet – excellent for storing charging cables.
Speaking of which, there’s a 400-volt structure (although some cheaper rivals have 800-volt techniques), which is able to give a 10-80% recharge in as little as half-hour by way of a 250kW connection.
There are three brake regen settings, however sadly no steering wheel paddles. As a substitute, choice is by way of the touchscreen.
We’d want an extended time behind the wheel to provide a real-world estimate of the automobile’s effectivity, however pushed sensibly, round 3 miles per kWh needs to be attainable, which is par for the course.
Polestar 3 is produced within the US and China, and its rivals embody every thing from the BMW iX to the Audi Q8 e-tron, Tesla Mannequin Y, Jaguar I-Tempo and Mercedes EQE SUV.
Verdict: Good wanting, spacious, full of tech, participating to drive and oozing high quality, the distinctive Polestar 3 SUV has been effectively well worth the wait.
Polestar UK
