Polestar 3 First Drive: Luxury Means Never Having to Apologize for Power
It was the first thing that Christian Samson, Polestar’s head of product, told us about the 2025 Polestar 3 all-electric luxury SUV: We wouldn’t need to worry about range or sacrificing performance for power.
The Polestar’s system is intricately designed to save power when it can, and to be as efficient as possible. The driver should be able to harness as much power as she wants and not feel like she has to choose between range or horsepower. She’ll have both.
In fact, the Polestar 3’s powertrain is designed to deliver four or five hours—or up to 315 miles—of driving while tapping its 489 (or 517) HP. If you need to top off the battery, you can get nearly 200 miles in about 10 minutes at a DC fast charger.
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used. Additionally, I was Polestar’s guest for this test drive, but all opinions are my own.
Power Means Capability On the Road, Too
The Polestar 3 is designed to lean into every curve, to deliver torque to the wheels as needed, to instantly respond to the driver’s steering and acceleration. Polestar accomplished this with adaptive suspension, Brembo performance brakes, wide-set rear wheels (that are set wider than the front wheels) and a 50/50 weight distribution. You’ll never feel like you’re dragging around a weighty SUV.
All of that can feel pretty luxe behind the wheel, but that’s not where the luxury experience stops. In the tradition of Polestar, Volvo’s performance luxury arm, the Polestar 3 is sublime and elegant.
The First SUV from Polestar Is Innovative and Thoughtful
I first came to know Polestar a few years ago when the company rolled out the Polestar 2 sedan. Beautifully designed, innovative and fun to drive—a lot of fun—the Polestar 2 was intriguing. But, I like the ground clearance and versatile space of an SUV, and one that is designed to not feel so weighty and truck-like? All the better.
And that’s exactly the goal of the Polestar 3: A mid-sized SUV that has all the attributes we associate with luxury sedans, but the comforts and versatility of an SUV.
How Is the Polestar 3 Different From the Volvo EX90?
As the luxury and performance arm of Volvo, it makes sense that the Polestar 3 would have a few things in common with the Volvo EX90, a 3-row family-focused electric SUV. However, the two feel distinctly different.
The exterior of the Polestar 3 has its own sleeker look and feel from the Volvo EX90. It’s roofline slopes more; the rear tail lights are linear; the front end is more chiseled. Inside, the interior is even more minimalist. For example, there are no icons on the steering wheel. The trim details—open pore wood, chrome, leatherette and fabric surfaces—evoke a feeling of calm. And while it’s only 5″ shorter than the EX90, the Polestar 3 feels much smaller thanks to the wider-set wheels, athletic shoulders and sloping roofline.
Related: Designing Women at Polestar: In Charge of Production, Engineering & Sustainability
Performance And Luxury Lead the Polestar Brand
Then, there’s the performance. The Volvo EX90 is no slouch when it comes to performance; in addition to its engineering differences, it harnesses enough power and torque to challenge any SUV on the road. In fact, the EX90 delivers almost as much horsepower in the top trim as the top of the line Polestar Performance.
While Volvo takes an elegant approach to the modern mobility pod, the Polestar 3 feels more like an elevated sports sedan. It seats 5, and the cabin feels more imitate than the cabin in the EX90.
Responsible and Sustainable…Leather Seats? In an EV?
This was sort of a surprise, especially in an electric car: Buyers can opt for Nappa leather seating that is sustainably and responsibly sourced from Bridge of Weir, the leather supplier to Rolls Royce. The partnership ensures transparency and a humane approach to leather production and adds to the company’s overall sustainability approach.
Polestar’s goal for every car they build is to reduce the full carbon footprint to zero, not just its emissions, but everything that goes into it, from manufacturing and supply chain to lunchroom meals and snack machines in the assembly plant. The Polestar 3 wears this as a badge of honor; all seats are stamped with the leather responsibility statement.
Buyers who want plant and renewables-based leatherette or responsibly sourced wool can choose those, too. Both Nappa and wool carry a charge, while leatherette is standard.
A Modern, Minimalist Interior That Pampers
This is the hallmark of Volvo, and Polestar takes it a step further: A minimalist interior that feels modern and beautiful. I simply loved that the company didn’t even bother to roll out any test models with black interiors. They were all white with dark accents, and they felt exquisite. The seats were comfortable and carry the look of classic Swedish design, but they are distinctly modern. The headrests can be upgraded with embedded Bowers & Wilkins speakers (part of the Plus package).
Drivers will find a joystick-style button on the side of the front seats for setting seat position. However, they’ll have to use commands on the center screen and buttons on the steering wheel to adjust mirrors and the steering wheel position.
Oh, and push the center of the seat setting button for massaging front seats in models equipped with Nappa leather.
The Center Screen is Everything. Literally, Everything
The front cabin is anchored by a large 14.5″ multimedia screen at the center of the dashboard. It’s placed vertically, and it’s easy to see and use. Almost everything you’ll need is housed there. Give yourself a few minutes to get set up before heading out: Set your level of regenerative braking, position your side mirrors and steering wheel (using the buttons on the steering wheel), set your steering feel, suspension feel, one-pedal drive and driver assist system preferences. All these functions and more are in the center screen.
In fact, this is where you’ll need to go even for basics like headlights, connecting to Bluetooth, and adjusting the head up display. Once you get it, you’ll realize two things: most of these are set-it-and-forget-it features, and you’ll rarely need to access these things. However, the first time may take a while, so give yourself some time, and check Polestar’s site — or A Girls Guide to Cars— for details on how to set yourself up.
There’s one thing you won’t find there: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but Polestar says that’s on the horizon.
The Elegant Cabin Design Lends to the Posh Feel
Under the center screen, you’ll find an open storage bin and floating center console with a wireless phone charge pad, cup holders and the only dial in the entire cabin: A volume dial for the radio station. The floating console is gloss black and reflective, and the sunroof above it adds even more of a “floating” feel; I could see the light and clouds in it all day.
Beneath the console is a space for a small bag, and two USB ports on the wall. This was the perfect place to charge my perpetually energy-challenged phone, which did seem to run down much faster than the Polestar 3.
The View from the Driver’s Seat Is Wide and Open
Polestar’s designers (and those behind the Volvo EX90) sought to create better visibility with a driver display attached to the steering wheel and a head up display. Combined, these create a wider view of the road and remove distractions. A camera on the steering wheel monitors the driver and reminds you to pay attention to the road if it thinks your eyes are wandering.
Overall, I applaud this idea. I hope Polestar will evolve the steering wheel to a squircle, which will improve visibility even further. But as of right now, it’s still very good.
Kids Car Seats Will Fit, Too
If you need them, you need them. The good news is that kids car seats are a natural in this electric SUV. That’s because the rear floor is wide, and there’s plenty of space for child car seats — even rear-facing seats.
There are two full sets of LATCHes, and we measured a roomy 34″ between the front and rear seats. That means there’s plenty of room for car seats. The bench is about 56″ wide, which is better suited for two seats, but three slim car seats should fit.
What the Polestar 3 Costs… and Does It Qualify for Federal Tax Incentives?
Pricing of the Polestar 3 is pretty simple. Here’s how it breaks out:
- Long Range Dual Motor: $73,400 with 489 HP, 315 mile range, Pilot Assist driver assist package with adaptive cruise and lane change assist, 360 camera, park assist, leatherette seating
- Long Range Dual Motor Performance: $79,400, which adds the performance upgrade with performance tuned chassis, 22″ performance wheels, Pirelli performance tires and Swedish gold accents.
Buyers can add the Performance Pack for $5,500, which includes Bowers & Wilkins sound, headrest speakers, head up display, acoustic glass, foldable load floor, heated rear-seats, steering wheel and wiper blades. Nappa leather can be added for $5,500. The good news is that either model, as long as they are priced under $80,000, qualify for the federal tax incentive of $7,500 because the Polestar 3 will be built in South Carolina. Polestar dealers may also be able to simply knock that discount off the top of the price; dealers can do this if they wish.
What Is It Like to Drive?
Exactly as intended. Christian Samson described what we should experience: crisp steering, smooth, flawless acceleration, perfect weight balance between front and rear. A quiet ride (no whiz-bang sounds here, just the quiet of the luxury cabin). He was right, and that’s the essence of luxury. To have the road, the calm, the elegance, and the power all to yourself.
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