2025 Polestar 3: Review, Prices, and specs

Text by Tom Appel

Polestar 3

Dual Motor, Pilot, Plus, Performance

Specs

Class: Premium Midsize Crossover

Country of Manufacture: U.S.

Color: Thunder

Miles pushed: 188

Battery capability: 111 kWh

EPA-estimate MPGe: 81 metropolis/73 hwy/77 mixed

EPA-estimated driving vary: 279 miles

Consumer Guide vary estimate (preferrred circumstances): 300+ miles

Charge Port Location: Rear driver-side fender

Charging Standard: CCS

Snow Performance: N/A

Base value: $84,900 (not together with $1400 vacation spot cost)

Options on check car: Special paint ($1300), Nappa leather-based seats ($5500)

Price as examined: $93,100

Audio-System Brand

Bowers & Wilkins

Audio-System Quality

Poor  Fair  Good Very-Good  Excellent

Pros and Cons

The nice: Fresh design together with fashionable and purposeful cabin, rewarding driving dynamics 

The good: Impressive trip high quality and inside quietness

The not so good: Optional improve leather-based seating very dear

Review

And the 2025 award for the perfect car going through the craziest hurdles to U.S. distribution goes to…the Polestar 3! Actually, the Polestar 4 story is crazier, and we’ll get to that in a second.

Polestar Manufacturing

The Polestar model could not but be acquainted to you, however we hope will probably be quickly. The start-up spin-off of Volvo, now devoted to producing solely premium electrical autos, is owned—kind of completely—by Chinese carmaker Geely. And although not well-known within the U.S., Geely owns Volvo, and in addition sells autos—principally in China—below the Geely, Zeekr, Proton, and Lynk & Co. manufacturers. Geely additionally now owns British design and engineering agency Lotus.

Confusing issues considerably, is the truth that Volvo employs the Polestar moniker for efficiency variations of its personal fashions, none of which is pure electrical (assume plug-in hybrid).

China

As for these hurdles to U.S. distribution, Polestar had supposed to construct all of its autos in China, this to assist comprise manufacturing prices. Unfortunately, in May of 2024 the Biden administration imposed a 100-percent tariff on all electrical autos imported from China, halting completely Polestar’s U.S. distribution plans.

Polestar Lineup

Polestar has moved shortly to maintain its provide pipeline stuffed with product, although the ensuing scheme could seem complicated to the informal observer. Here’s the breakdown:

Polestar 1: This high-performance plug-in hybrid coupe—the one gas-powered Polestar—was discontinued previous to any of the tariff confusion. It was inbuilt China.

Polestar 2: This likable small 4-door hatchback is assembled in China, and is being discontinued within the U.S. It will proceed to be offered in quite a few different markets. (learn extra in regards to the Polestar 2)

Polestar 3: This new for 2025 midsize crossover is now being inbuilt Volvo’s South Carolina meeting facility.

Polestar 4: This fastback sedan/crossover is produced below contract by French carmaker Renault in a South Korean meeting facility. Really.

So, because the first Polestar went on sale within the U.S. for the 2020 mannequin yr, the model’s lineup has utterly turned over. But that’s OK, as a result of the brand new quantity mannequin, the three, is superb, and at present on sale. We’ll speak about that sale in a second.

Polestar 3 Prices and Trim Levels

New this yr, the Polestar 3 slots properly into the premium midsize crossover section, that includes 2 rows of seating, and loads of cupboard space aft of the three^rd-row.

For ’25, the three is obtainable within the following configurations:

• Long Range Single Motor ($67,500)
• Long Range Dual Motor ($73,400)
• Long Range Dual Motor Performance ($79,400)

Prices for 2026 fashions, that are anticipated to be largely unchanged, haven’t but been printed.

Power and Range

Single Motor fashions boast 329 horsepower and 350 miles of EPA-estimated vary. Single Motor fashions are rear-wheel drive. The Dual Motor trim degree is available in at a stout 536 horsepower with 315 miles of estimated vary. The Dual Motor efficiency is rated at 671 horsepower and 279 miles of vary. The Polestar 3 in Dual Motor trim options customary AWD.

Test Car

Consumer Guide just lately spent every week with a well-optioned Model 3 Dual Motor Performance in Thunder (colour). Though listed as choices on the window sticker, the price of Pilot Pack, Plus Pack, and Performance Pack is constructed into the proven base value. The Pilot Pack consists of level-2 hands-free driving, the Plus Pack quite a few cabin options together with Bowers & Wilkins premium audio. The Performance Pack brings with it the anticipated efficiency upgrades, plus quite a few particular trim upgrades, together with gold-tone seatbelt latches. All instructed, our check automotive got here to $93,100, just about absolutely loaded.

Note that hands-free “level-2 plus” driver help is promised as a software program improve at someday sooner or later. The {hardware} to assist that operate is included as a part of the Pilot Pack.

Cabin

Starting inside, the Polestar 3 cabin presents as recent and fashionable. The design is clearly an evolution of Volvo inside sensibilities. We respect the commonly clear and uncluttered look, and having local weather features completely anchored on the backside of the central touchscreen. We would like bodily buttons and switches for stated features, however this setup works properly sufficient. That stated, the touchscreen could be sluggish to reply to some inputs.

Room and Comfort

As for house, the Polestar 3 is about as roomy as car within the midsize crossover class, electrical or gas-fired. Large door openings make simple work of getting into and exiting the three, and there’s loads of house inside for 4 adults.

Ride and Handling

Underway the three shines for instance of what the Polestar model is all about. Though not overtly sporty—it lacks the hard-edged really feel of, say, Mercedes-Benz AMG merchandise—the three is each lithe and quick. The steering, although mild, delivers reel highway really feel, and is satisfyingly correct.

And, although there’s a heavy 111-kWh battery hidden below the automotive, the three rides with the identical refined highway isolation of even the perfect Volvo merchandise.

Quietness

Cabin quietness is one other Polestar 3 hallmark, underscored by the car’s wonderful Bowers & Wilkins sound system. All instructed, the three makes for an impressive long-trip crossover.

Value

As for costs, one thing fascinating is going on at Polestar. As listed on the Polestar web site, the maker is deeply discounting 2025 fashions. As famous the day this overview was printed, the three is obtainable with an $18,000 “Clean Vehicle Incentive.” Aggressive lease offers for the Polestar 2 are additionally being promoted.

We applaud the Polestar 3’s clear and fashionable tackle the modern midsize crossover. We are moreover intrigued by the model’s present spherical of year-end discounting, which helps make the three seem like a fair higher EV choices within the class. And, for those who personal one, you possibly can share the loopy story of how Polestars are made.

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