Polestar 3

Introduction

The Polestar 3 positions itself as a sportier, more design-focused alternative to premium electric SUVs from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. Built on the same platform as the Volvo EX90 but with a lower, more athletic stance, it promises “SUV practicality with sports car dynamics.” With prices starting at €74,590 for the single motor and climbing to over €100,000 fully loaded, does it deliver? We analyzed 14 YouTube reviews with over 2.4 million combined views to find out.

Key Specifications

Spec	Single Motor	Dual Motor	Performance
Power	220 kW (299 PS)	360 kW (489 PS)	380 kW (517 PS)
0-100 km/h	7.8 sec	5.0 sec	4.7 sec
Top Speed	180 km/h	210 km/h	210 km/h
Battery	111 kWh (107 usable)	111 kWh	111 kWh
WLTP Range	706 km	636 km	567 km
DC Charging	Up to 250 kW	Up to 250 kW	Up to 250 kW
AC Charging	11 kW	11 kW	11 kW
Towing Capacity	1,500 kg	2,200 kg	2,200 kg
Starting Price	€74,590	€81,590	€88,190

What Reviewers Agree On

Reading this article: Numbers like [9/14 reviewers] indicate how many of the 14 reviewers mentioned each point. ★ marks near-unanimous consensus (80%+).

Interior Quality & Materials

• [14/14 reviewers] ★ Premium interior with excellent materials and build quality. Sustainable, animal-free options available with recycled materials and traced wool
• [12/14 reviewers] ★ Piano black surfaces on center console attract fingerprints and scratches—a disappointing choice at this price point
• [11/14 reviewers] ★ Bowers & Wilkins sound system (optional) is exceptional. “Either the second best or the best speaker system I have ever heard in a car,” declared Auto Focus

Design & Exterior

• [13/14 reviewers] ★ Striking, distinctive design with functional aerodynamic elements including front and rear “wings”
• [10/14 reviewers] ★ Successfully balances SUV practicality with a sporty, coupé-like silhouette at just 1.61m tall
• [8/14 reviewers] Larger 21” and 22” wheels look impressive but noticeably impact ride comfort

Driving Experience

• [13/14 reviewers] ★ Air suspension (standard on Dual Motor) delivers excellent ride comfort and handling balance
• [12/14 reviewers] ★ Feels more agile than expected for a 2.6-ton vehicle. Torque vectoring on Performance models enhances cornering
• [10/14 reviewers] ★ Very quiet cabin at normal speeds, though wind noise increases noticeably above 130 km/h

Software & Technology

• [12/14 reviewers] ★ Google Automotive OS is fast, intuitive, and offers excellent route planning with charging stops
• [11/14 reviewers] ★ Ability to filter charging stops by preferred network (Ionity, Aral Pulse, etc.) is a standout feature
• [9/14 reviewers] Too many functions buried in touchscreen menus—glove box, mirrors, steering wheel adjustment all require screen navigation

Practical Limitations

• [11/14 reviewers] ★ 11 kW AC charging limit frustrates when competitors offer 22 kW. Polestar 4 offers 22 kW—why not the larger Polestar 3?
• [10/14 reviewers] ★ Fixed panoramic glass roof has no blind or electrochromic dimming, causing significant heat buildup in summer
• [9/14 reviewers] Unlabeled touch buttons on steering wheel require memorization and aren’t backlit at night

Where Opinions Differ

Real-World Efficiency

• Positive [4/14]: Achieved 18-21 kWh/100km in warm conditions at moderate speeds. Move Electric measured 26.8 kWh/100km on a 300km highway run with tailwind
• Critical [8/14]: Highway consumption of 26-30+ kWh/100km at sustained 130 km/h speeds disappoints for a 111 kWh battery. AUTO BILD noted consumption rises dramatically at German Autobahn speeds
• Mixed [2/14]: Acceptable for the vehicle class but not segment-leading

The split reflects driving conditions: German reviewers driving at 130+ km/h saw 25-30 kWh/100km, while those in temperate conditions at lower speeds achieved under 22 kWh/100km. Real-world range falls between 400-500 km for most drivers.

Cargo Space

• Positive [5/14]: 484 liters is adequate, with clever under-floor storage and a 32L frunk
• Critical [7/14]: Disappointing for a 4.9m vehicle—smaller than the compact Polestar 4. JÖNOHS noted it’s “smaller than a VW ID.4”

The coupé roofline compromises cargo volume. Reviewers prioritizing practicality were more critical than those valuing design.

Rear Seat Experience

• Positive [9/14]: Generous legroom and adequate headroom despite sloping roofline
• Critical [4/14]: Floor is high due to battery placement, raising knees uncomfortably. “You sit quite low,” observed JÖNOHS

Taller reviewers appreciated the legroom while noting the compromised seating position.

Price-Value Proposition

• Positive [6/14]: Well-equipped base model with standard features that cost extra elsewhere (air suspension, Brembos, panoramic roof)
• Critical [5/14]: Over €100,000 when optioned—enters Porsche Macan territory

Value perception depended on what competitors reviewers compared it to. Those comparing to German rivals saw good value; those comparing to Polestar 4 questioned the premium.

Pros

• [14/14 reviewers] ★ Exceptional interior quality with sustainable, premium materials throughout
• [13/14 reviewers] ★ Distinctive, aerodynamic design that stands out from conventional SUVs
• [13/14 reviewers] ★ Outstanding ride quality with air suspension absorbing bumps superbly
• [12/14 reviewers] ★ Google-based infotainment is fast, intuitive, with excellent route planning
• [11/14 reviewers] ★ Bowers & Wilkins audio (25 speakers, Dolby Atmos) is class-leading
• [10/14 reviewers] ★ Sporty handling belies the 2.6-ton weight
• [9/14 reviewers] Generous rear legroom accommodates tall passengers comfortably
• [8/14 reviewers] Large 111 kWh battery enables 500+ km real-world range in good conditions
• [7/14 reviewers] Strong towing capacity (2,200 kg with AWD) unusual for EVs
• [6/14 reviewers] 250 kW DC charging delivers 10-80% in approximately 30 minutes
• [5/14 reviewers] Comprehensive standard equipment reduces need for expensive options
• [3/14 reviewers] Electric deployable tow hitch available
• [2/14 reviewers] Over-the-air updates continuously improve the vehicle

Cons

• [12/14 reviewers] ★ Piano black trim fingerprint magnet throughout center console
• [11/14 reviewers] ★ 11 kW AC charging only when 22 kW is standard elsewhere
• [10/14 reviewers] ★ No roof blind on fixed panoramic glass—uncomfortable in summer heat
• [9/14 reviewers] ★ Unlabeled steering wheel buttons require memorization, no night illumination
• [9/14 reviewers] ★ Too much in touchscreen including glove box, mirrors, steering adjustment
• [8/14 reviewers] High highway consumption of 26-30 kWh/100km at German Autobahn speeds
• [7/14 reviewers] Modest cargo space (484L) for a 4.9m vehicle
• [6/14 reviewers] 400V architecture when 800V is becoming standard (upgrade planned)
• [5/14 reviewers] Only two window switches for four windows—budget car solution
• [4/14 reviewers] No Apple CarPlay at launch (now available via update)
• [3/14 reviewers] Key card required for some functions—awkward placement on charging pad
• [3/14 reviewers] High rear floor raises knees uncomfortably for some passengers
• [2/14 reviewers] No front camera view despite having the hardware installed
• [2/14 reviewers] Wind noise increases significantly above 130 km/h
• [1/14 reviewers] LiDAR option currently unavailable (previously offered)

Verdict

The Polestar 3 succeeds as a premium electric SUV for buyers who prioritize design, interior quality, and driving dynamics over outright practicality. The consensus is clear: it’s exceptionally well-built, drives better than its weight suggests, and offers one of the best in-car audio experiences available.

However, several compromises frustrate at this price point: the 11 kW AC charging limit, fixed glass roof without a blind, and excessive touchscreen dependence feel like oversights on a €75,000+ vehicle. Highway efficiency also disappoints—plan for 400-500 km real range rather than the 706 km WLTP figure.

Best for: Design-conscious buyers wanting a sporty, sustainable luxury SUV for mixed use

Look elsewhere if: You need maximum cargo space, do long highway trips regularly, or want straightforward controls

As carwow’s Mat Watson summarized: “I have a crush on this car but I know it’s not for me.” That captures the Polestar 3 perfectly—beautiful and desirable, but requiring buyers to accept its particular compromises.