An SUV for the Polestar Brand
Polestar has released three models in America, beginning with their last gasoline-propelled car, the sublime limited production 2021 Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid coupe. All following models were 100% electric. Next came the efficient all-electric sedan, the 2022 Polestar 2 Single Motor (rear-wheel drive); followed by the 2023 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Performance Plus with all-wheel drive (AWD); then the 2024 Polestar 2 single and dual motor AWD. Yep, one new model a year!
This week the 2025 Polestar 3 SUV made its North American debut and once again they have delivered a highly developed electric vehicle with the latest technology and high performance.
Who/What is Polestar?
Polestar and Volvo were acquired by Geeley, a Chinese automobile company, in 2010. Polestar was founded in 1995 to develop performance-tuned Volvos. Volvo brought them in-house in 2015 when Polestar badging appeared on Volvos designating performance. A few years later (2018) Polestar became a stand-alone car company.
So, what is a Polestar 3? Polestar says it offers “precise steering and a sporty driving position, creating a more sports car-like experience than can be expected from a large SUV.” What we found was an all-electric five-passenger midsize SUV with eye-catching looks that was comfortable and enjoyable to drive.
This Flash Drive is an introduction to the 2025 Polestar 3 Pilot & Plus and Performance. When Clean Fleet Report has the opportunity to drive the Polestar 3 for a week, as opposed to a couple hours as we did for this review, we will report in detail on the features, performance, efficiency and real world driving range.
Power and Range
The 2025 Polestar 3 initially is being launched in two versions—Pilot & Plus and Performance.
Pilot & Plus Long Range
Dual Motor, AWD
489 hp and 620 lb.-ft. torque
0-60: 4.8 seconds
Top Speed: 130 mph
Energy Consumption: 38.9 kWh/100 miles
All-Electric Driving Range: 315 miles
Performance
Dual Motor, AWD
517 hp and 671 lb.-ft. torque
0-60: 4.5 seconds
Top Speed: 130 mph
Energy Consumption: 43.2 kWh/100 miles
All-Electric Driving Range: 279 miles
A Polestar 3 single motor, with rear wheel drive, is scheduled to be released in early 2025.
All Polestar 3 models sold in the US and Canada are built in Volvo’s manufacturing plant in Ridgeville, South Carolina.
Battery and Charging
When slowing or stopping regenerative braking converts kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the battery. The level of regeneration—Off, Low and Standard—can be set on the touchscreen. We selected the latter for One Pedal Driving with the Creep mode turned off. This combination resulted in strong recharging and a fun way to drive with limited touching of the brake pedal.
The 111 kWh liquid cooled lithium-ion battery is charged through an 11.0 kW onboard charger. These are the estimated charging times.
- 240V (Level 2) – 11 hours (0-100%)
- 480V DC Fast Charging – 30 minutes at 250 kW (10-80%)
It is important to note cold weather can affect the charging time and driving range. Polestar addresses this by including a heat pump that warms the battery to a temperature that will take a faster and higher charge.
Out on the Road
Polestar invited automotive journalists to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to drive the all-new 2025 Polestar 3, the company’s first SUV. We drove both the Pilot & Plus Long Range and Performance iterations, from Jackson, Wyoming, over the 8,431-foot summit of Teton Pass into Idaho and back.
The 3 performed exceptionally well with quick throttle response, smooth acceleration and EV instant torque that was far more than enough to climb the mountain with ease. When descending we relied nearly completely on the regenerative braking which meant only occasionally touching the brake pedal as we glided from the summit towards our host hotel, The Cloudveil, in Jackson at 6,237-feet.
The unseasonably early rain and snow made driving the 3 Performance, with staggered (265/40 front and 295/35 rear) Pirelli P-Zero summer tires, mounted on 22-inch forged alloy wheels, an adventure. The active (Light, Standard, Firm) adjustable air suspension dampers, and adjustable steering (Standard, Nimble, Firm) and torque vectoring made handling sweeping corners and tight twisties enjoyable. Even better was the 50:50 weight distribution and low center of gravity (from the batteries placed below the floor), helping the 3 to handle flat around corners.
When we got onto dry pavement, the summer tires were grippy and, when braking, were a good match for the gold caliper, four-piston ventilated and cross-drilled aluminum Brembo brakes.
A small trailer, for camping, a canoe, kayak or bicycles, can be towed if under 3,500 pounds.
Familiar Polestar Design
Christian Samson, product development at Polestar, told us the “Polestar 3 has attributes of chassis, propulsion and design that form its product identity.” The 3 has a swept-back silhouette, with a low roofline making for a five-door fastback style. The clean design is void of cladding, has minimal chrome accents, no design gimmicks and nothing radical going on. There is a reassuring feeling of a tasteful, practical midsize SUV that will become a favorite as a daily driver.
Premium Interior
The standard ventilated Nappa leather seats begins the list of interior premium features. The front passengers get power adjustments, including lumbar and heat, with the rear outbound passengers also getting heat. The Performance model has bright gold-colored seatbelts that offer a sharp contrast to the black or gray seats. Of note: Polestar says “over 85% of the Polestar 3 is recyclable, and several components can be reused or remanufactured.”
Access was good through the wide-opening front doors, while the tallest will need to duck just a bit getting into the rear due to the fastback design. The rear seat comfortably welcomes two adults that sit a bit higher than the front occupants. The rear 60:40 folding seat that has a ski pass-through and 17.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind that increases to 49.8 cubic feet when the seats are folded-down. Without an engine up front there is a 1.13-cubic foot frunk (front trunk) for stashing small items such as the charging cable.
The wide console intersects the low slung dash at the vertical 14.5-inch color touchscreen. This screen is where the heart of the Polestar 3 lives: the Google Android Automotive operating system. This allows the driver to operate many functions through voice commands for navigation, apps and Google Assistant. These voice commands are a good thing since, except for the limited controls on the steering wheel, there are few buttons or knobs on the dash. The clean Scandinavian design theme thrives in the cockpit.
The Bowers & Wilkins 25-speaker premium audio system, with 1,610 watts, has Spotify, SiriusXM and FM radio along with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Google assistant is always ready to help with calls and vehicle functions. In addition to the infotainment screen there is a 9.5-inch configurable head-up display and a 9-inch driver display for the digital gauges.
Pricing
The 2025 Polestar 3 models we drove had these prices, which included the mandatory $1,400 destination fee. Speak with your tax advisor or dealer for any available federal or state tax credits that could reduce the price you pay. We’ve also included some of the advertised prices of available (or soon to be available) models.
Pilot & Plus $82,600
Pilot, Plus & Performance $93,100
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Pilot & Plus Launch Edition $80,300
Long Range Dual Motor $74,800
Long Range Duel Motor Performance $80,800
Warranty
- Basic – Four years/50,000 miles
- Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Four years/Unlimited miles
- Corrosion Protection – 12 years/Unlimited miles
- Scheduled Maintenance – Three years/30,000 miles
Observations: 2025 Polestar 3 Pilot & Plus, and Performance
The importance of the Polestar 3 to the company cannot be overstated. The Polestar 3 Dual Motor Pilot & Plus, and Performance, are the most sophisticated cars ever made by Polestar.
Christian Samson, Polestar product development, said “The Polestar 3 is incredibly important. It marks our territory and to be a relevant player. Where the Polestar 2 had one offer, the 3 shows the full band from performance to everyday comfort.” He continued, “As the product guy it is my job to make everyone that comes in contact with it, like it, and hopefully loves it. The design, being able to drive it, and swept away with the characteristic with the car.”
So how does the Polestar 3 stack-up against it’s competition? The Porsche Cayenne, BMW iX and the Audi Q8 E-tron are all fine premium electric SUVs. Polestar tunes their cars as well, if not better, than any of their competitors, so the only way for you to become familiar with the Polestar 3 is to visit one of their “spaces” and go for a lengthy test drive.
Though currently in only 31 locations in North America, if there isn’t a retail space near you, don’t worry. Polestar says anyone in the country can take delivery of a Polestar, and their local Volvo dealer can provide any assistance or service.
The Polestar 3 is the latest of a full line-up of all-electric vehicles coming from the Swedish/Chinese company. Next up is the smaller Polestar 4 SUV, the Polestar 5 luxury GT sedan and, we are very hopeful, the stunning and sexy Polestar 6 hard-top convertible.
Make sure to opt-in to the Clean Fleet Report newsletter (top right of page) to be notified of all news stories and vehicle reviews, including when we have had the Polestar 3 for a full week and will provide additional information.
Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Polestar.
Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
