Seller Guide Jul 14, 2026
The 2025 Polestar 3 is the new Swedish brand's first SUV, bringing minimalist Scandinavian design to the luxury electric vehicle space. We experienced the 3 with both problematic software and problem-free operation, and now we know why you might want this EV, and what might make you hesitate.
Design Philosophy — Less is More
Polestar's designers created an exterior that communicates via subtlety and not aggression. The 3's muscular stance demands attention but isn't shouty.
Key Design Features:
Aero Wing integrated into the leading edge of the hood
22-inch forged aluminum wheels (Performance Package)
Glass roof to increase the feel of openness in the cabin
Low-key color palette prioritizing blacks, whites, and grays
A clever touch: the front doors let you see the car's power output in kilowatts, and its battery size, 111 kWh. Functional transparency, wrapped in simple elegance.
Performance That Delivers
The dual-motor Performance version makes 517 horsepower, which makes highway merging a matter of pressing the accelerator—simply no effort. The Polestar 3 weighs close to three tons and the heft is not noticeable in day-to-day use.
Power and Range:
517 hp in Performance trim (489 hp regular)
279 miles EPA range (Performance version)
Smooth acceleration in all driving modes
Performance mode amplifies the throttle response
The adaptive air suspension demonstrates balance. With 22-inch wheels, the ride quality is composed on broken pavement. Steering is responsive, and the level of feedback depends on driving modes chosen.
Tech Integration: Wins and Losses
Inside, a 14.5-inch vertical touchscreen controls almost everything in the vehicle and a 9-inch driver display. The touchscreen is responsive while stationary, but uses more mental attention while in motion than using confessed methods.
The wireless Apple Carplay matches up with the delivery system, and displayed beautifully on the large screen. Android Automotive OS with Google Built-In apps, and while the Polestar 3 has Android Automotive, it does not have Android Auto. This is a glaring omission for Android compatibility.
The steering wheel controls are a miss. The area is filled with unlabeled pads that have an icon replication on the driver display. Very simple adjustments became more complicated than necessary. A Tesla-like complexity without any advantage.
The Interior: Give and Take
The swooping lines of the roof create functional challenges. The capacious nature of the rear view limits rear visibility and limits the forward view. Extra caution is needed when reversing out of a space without full ongoing visibility. Cameras help, but can't overcome poor surrounding visibility effects.
In the Back:
Low seat cushions raise knees
Limited thigh support
Good headroom for taller occupants
It does not recline
Expected Amenities Include:
Heated seats in both front seats
Good rear climate best achieved through rear adjustable climate vents
Dual USB-C charging ports
Fold-flat rear seats extend view cargo area if all other adjustments are made to the rear seats
The Ridiculous Reality of Software
In first, our testing of the Polestar 3, we barely got to use the vehicle due to major software glitches impacting screens and controls. There were problems that were serious enough to turnover the first vehicle. In a long multi-day, multi-city trip, we used a different model the second time without issue.
This speaks to some of the pains of electric vehicles. With automobiles becoming technological wonders, a comprehensive availability of software products existed which very few traditional automobile manufacturers ever experienced. We had a good experience the second time, and it is now unclear if the first problems will be intermittent or consistently problematic.
Pricing and Value Proposition
Current pricing and incentives offer Polestar 3 buyers $10,000 on the table which starting at $58,900 discount provide the Polestar 3 greater intentionally cost than Tesla's Model Y $46,380 starting price and ranged cheaper than BMW's higher model iX xDrive60 $89,675 starting price.
With Some Context Consider the Following:
Polestar's relatively new product
Polestar's reliability history is limited
Polestar performs extremely well with some luxury feel
Polestar hits the mark at length potential pricing against Germans
Final Thoughts
The Polestar 3 can reasonably offer real luxury with great understated luxury, minimalist design. When the vehicle operating properly is enough to compare like for like with other premium electric SUVs, and be an intentionally understated alternative.
We cannot ignore the experiences of the hiccups in software that we experienced. All electric vehicles seem to struggle with reliability, and the Polestar 3 is new and adds uncertainty.
