Text by Tom Appel
Polestar 3
Dual Motor, Pilot, Plus, Performance
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize Crossover
Country of Manufacture: U.S.
Color: Thunder
Miles driven: 188
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | A |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 671 |
| Engine Type | Electric Motors |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Battery capacity: 111 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 81 city/73 hwy/77 combined
EPA-estimated driving range: 279 miles
Consumer Guide range estimate (ideal conditions): 300+ miles
Charge Port Location: Rear driver-side fender
Charging Standard: CCS
Snow Performance: N/A
Base price: $84,900 (not including $1400 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($1300), Nappa leather seats ($5500)
Price as tested: $93,100
Audio-System Brand
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Fresh design including modern and functional cabin, rewarding driving dynamics
The good: Impressive ride quality and interior quietness
The not so good: Optional upgrade leather seating very pricey
Review
And the 2025 award for the best vehicle facing 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 moment.
Polestar Manufacturing
The Polestar brand may not yet be familiar to you, but we hope it will be soon. The start-up spin-off of Volvo, now dedicated to producing only premium electric vehicles, is owned—more or less entirely—by Chinese carmaker Geely. And though not well known in the U.S., Geely owns Volvo, and also sells vehicles—mostly in China—under the Geely, Zeekr, Proton, and Lynk & Co. brands. Geely also now owns British design and engineering firm Lotus.
Confusing matters somewhat, is the fact that Volvo employs the Polestar moniker for performance versions of its own models, none of which is pure electric (think plug-in hybrid).
China
As for those hurdles to U.S. distribution, Polestar had intended to build all of its vehicles in China, this to help contain manufacturing costs. Unfortunately, in May of 2024 the Biden administration imposed a 100-percent tariff on all electric vehicles imported from China, halting entirely Polestar’s U.S. distribution plans.
Polestar Lineup
Polestar has moved quickly to keep its supply pipeline full of product, though the resulting scheme may seem confusing to the casual observer. Here’s the breakdown:
Polestar 1: This high-performance plug-in hybrid coupe—the only gas-powered Polestar—was discontinued prior to any of the tariff confusion. It was built in China.
Polestar 2: This likable small 4-door hatchback is assembled in China, and is being discontinued in the U.S. It will continue to be sold in a number of other markets. (read more about the Polestar 2)
Polestar 3: This new for 2025 midsize crossover is now being built in Volvo’s South Carolina assembly facility.
Polestar 4: This fastback sedan/crossover is produced under contract by French carmaker Renault in a South Korean assembly facility. Really.
So, since the first Polestar went on sale in the U.S. for the 2020 model year, the brand’s lineup has completely turned over. But that’s OK, because the new volume model, the 3, is very good, and currently on sale. We’ll talk about that sale in a moment.
Polestar 3 Prices and Trim Levels
New this year, the Polestar 3 slots nicely into the premium midsize crossover segment, featuring 2 rows of seating, and plenty of storage space aft of the 3rd-row.
For ’25, the 3 is offered in 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 models, which are expected to be largely unchanged, have not yet been published.
Power and Range
Single Motor models boast 329 horsepower and 350 miles of EPA-estimated range. Single Motor models are rear-wheel drive. The Dual Motor trim level comes in at a stout 536 horsepower with 315 miles of estimated range. The Dual Motor performance is rated at 671 horsepower and 279 miles of range. The Polestar 3 in Dual Motor trim features standard AWD.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week with a well-optioned Model 3 Dual Motor Performance in Thunder (color). Though listed as options on the window sticker, the cost of Pilot Pack, Plus Pack, and Performance Pack is built into the shown base price. The Pilot Pack includes level-2 hands-free driving, the Plus Pack a number of cabin features including Bowers & Wilkins premium audio. The Performance Pack brings with it the expected performance upgrades, plus a number of specific trim upgrades, including gold-tone seatbelt latches. All told, our test car came to $93,100, pretty much fully loaded.
Note that hands-free “level-2 plus” driver assistance is promised as a software upgrade at sometime in the future. The hardware to support that function is included as part of the Pilot Pack.
Cabin
Starting inside, the Polestar 3 cabin presents as fresh and modern. The design is clearly an evolution of Volvo interior sensibilities. We appreciate the generally clean and uncluttered look, and having climate functions permanently anchored at the bottom of the central touchscreen. We would prefer physical buttons and switches for said functions, but this setup works well enough. That said, the touchscreen can be slow to respond to some inputs.
Room and Comfort
As for space, the Polestar 3 is about as roomy as vehicle in the midsize crossover class, electric or gas-fired. Large door openings make easy work of entering and exiting the 3, and there’s plenty of space inside for four adults.
Ride and Handling
Underway the 3 shines as an example of what the Polestar brand is all about. Though not overtly sporty—it lacks the hard-edged feel of, say, Mercedes-Benz AMG products—the 3 is both lithe and fast. The steering, though light, delivers reel road feel, and is satisfyingly accurate.
And, despite the fact that there’s a heavy 111-kWh battery hidden under the car, the 3 rides with the same sophisticated road isolation of even the best Volvo products.
Quietness
Cabin quietness is another Polestar 3 hallmark, underscored by the vehicle’s excellent Bowers & Wilkins sound system. All told, the 3 makes for an outstanding long-trip crossover.
Value
As for prices, something interesting is happening at Polestar. As listed on the Polestar website, the maker is deeply discounting 2025 models. As noted the day this review was published, the 3 is offered with an $18,000 “Clean Vehicle Incentive.” Aggressive lease deals for the Polestar 2 are also being promoted.
We applaud the Polestar 3’s clean and modern take on the contemporary midsize crossover. We are additionally intrigued by the brand’s current round of year-end discounting, which helps make the 3 look like an even better EV options in the category. And, if you own one, you can share the crazy story of how Polestars are made.
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2025 Polestar 3 Pictures
Click below for enlarged images
