Polestar 3 prototype review: the most important new Swedish SUV since the last one

With a handsome design and the requisite high-riding seating position, the 2024 Polestar 3 joins the flood of electrified SUVs pouring into the market. Volvo’s spinoff-EV brand has produced only cars to date—though the Polestar 2 could be seen as either a tall car or a low-riding SUV. There will be no such confusion concerning the 3, which will go on sale sometime in the second half of 2024. We’ll admit to being smitten with its streamlined roofline, prominent fenders, and dramatic wheel arches. The SUV’s cabin looks rich too, with a clean design and high-end materials. Power is more than ample in the base model, which is propelled by a 489-hp, dual-motor, all-wheel drive powertrain. For speed freaks, the optional Performance trim boosts it to 517 horsepower and adds unique 22-inch wheels, summer tires, and a tweaked suspension system. The driving range is a decent 300 miles per charge for the standard model and 270 miles for the Performance, and both can be charged quickly via a DC fast charging connection. It’s also equipped with an array of active safety features, and Polestar has future enhancements planned that include Volvo's lidar technology, which will supposedly enable full self-driving sometime in the future. The company is also planning a second SUV called Polestar 4, which will be a fastback-bodied version of the 3.Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The EPA hasn’t released fuel efficiency estimates for the Polestar 3 yet, but we expect it to be slightly less efficient than the Polestar 2 sedan. When we get a chance, we’ll take the Polestar 3 on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route and update this story with its test results. For more information about the Polestar 3’s fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Polestar has decked out its first SUV model with plenty of convenience and luxury features. All models come with a panoramic sunroof that bears an illuminated Polestar logo. A power rear liftgate is standard too, as are power front seats with heat, a three-zone automatic climate control system, and an onboard air purifier. The interior design is clean and modern, and it features high-end materials that Polestar says are also eco-friendly and sustainable. At launch, all models will come with the Plus package, which includes niceties such as a power-adjustable steering wheel with heat and soft-close doors. Cargo space is less generous than in some other similarly-sized SUVs and the Polestar 3's front trunk (or frunk) is a disappointing one cubic foot cubby that's good only for storing the SUV's portable charging cables.EV Motor, Power, and Performance
A dual-motor powertrain is standard on the Polestar 3, but it’s offered in two strengths. The base setup makes 489 horsepower but the Performance trim gets bumped to 517 ponies. Polestar has said that the powertrain is rear-biased even though all-wheel drive is standard. With the more robust electric motors on board, Polestar says the 3 will sprint to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. We had the chance to drive prototypes of both versions at Volvo and Polestar's proving grounds in Sweden and are happy to report both deliver snappy acceleration. Every 3 will come with an adaptive suspension system with active dampers and air springs, but the Performance package includes a sport-tuned version of the suspension. Handling is surprisingly agile. A torque-vectoring rear differential helps curb understeer and gives the Polestar 3 a more planted feel through fast cornering maneuvers. When we get a chance, we’ll take the new Polestar 3 to our test track and update this story with test results and more driving impressions.Range, Charging, and Battery Life
All models come with the same 107-kWh battery pack that can charge at up to 250 kW on a DC fast charging connection. Polestar says that is enough to get the battery charged from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 30 minutes. Once charged up to full, the standard model is said to deliver about 300 miles of driving before needing to be re-juiced; the more powerful Performance model’s estimated range is slightly lower at 270 miles per charge.Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Polestar’s limited warranty sticks to the industry standard, on par with that of Tesla. The company also provides competitive coverage for the 3's electrical components. Surprisingly, Polestar doesn’t offer the same three-year complimentary maintenance program as Volvo, its parent company.Infotainment and Connectivity
A large 14.5-inch infotainment display is standard and runs Polestar’s latest Google-based infotainment interface. A secondary 9.0-inch display serves as the Polestar 3’s gauge cluster. We expect to see Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features, but we know that all models will come with in-dash navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and four USB-C charging ports. The first run of Polestar 3s will also come standard with a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins stereo system that’s part of the Plus package which is expected to become optional after the SUV’s first model year.Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A host of driver-assistance features are standard on every Polestar 3 model, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam headlamps, and a driver-monitoring system. Later on, a LiDAR system will become an option which Polestar says will open up capability for even more advanced semi-autonomous systems. For more information about the Polestar 3’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration