Polestar 3 review: A luxury electric SUV that delivers

Join us as we take a closer look at the Polestar 3, a luxury, fully-electric SUV that packs a punch

The Polestar 3 isn't just another electric SUV.

It's a statement.

Owned by Volvo and Geely Holding, minimalist Scandi inspiration runs through every line of the car — inside and out — and the performance could leave more than a few petrolheads wondering why they haven't made the switch yet.

Taking on the BMW iX, the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Mercedes EQE SUV, it's competing with some seriously established names in the premium electric space. That's not a small ask.

But Polestar aren't just showing up to compete.

The 2026 update brought 800V architecture, faster charging of up to 350kW and revised powertrains across the range — a meaningful upgrade that signals the brand is serious about staying at the sharp end of the market.

Starting from £69,900, the Polestar 3 is a genuine premium choice in the electric SUV market.

But does it live up to the price tag? Let's find out.

What we drove:

• Model: Polestar 3 380kW 111kWh LR DM [Performance/Pilot] 5dr Auto
• Transmission: Dual motor
• Power: Electric
• Colour: Space
• Price: £81,500
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 4.5 sec
• Max Torque (2000-4000rpm): 840 Nm / 620 lbf-ft

*Specifications correct at the time of publication

Or watch our video reviewing the Polestar 3

Scandinavian cool

The Polestar 3 is all about minimalism, inside and out. Its sleek roofline and futuristic proportions make it look more like a concept car than something you'd see on a school run.

Polestar sneaks in some clever aerodynamic tricks to boost efficiency too.

That oddly shaped bonnet?

It's an S-duct, reducing drag for a smoother, more efficient drive.

A rear aero wing reduces turbulence and aids handling, and the flush side profile keeps airflow attached to the body, reducing wind noise in the process.

All of this contributes to an impressively low drag coefficient of just 0.29Cd.

One thing though, the wing mirrors have no edges — they're fully mirror. Great for the aesthetics, less great when the typical British weather hits. Visibility suffers, and you'll struggle to see through them in the rain.

That panoramic sunroof though? Ideal for a cheeky selfie. Though less so when it's drizzling (which, let's be honest, is most of the time).

The 2026 update keeps exterior changes subtle.

New wheel designs and paint options feature, rather than a full visual overhaul.

Given how good the original design looks, that's probably the right call. As they say, ‘If it ain't broke, don't fix it.’

Minimalist’s heaven

Step inside and the minimalism continues. The cabin is clean, considered and premium; exactly what you'd expect from a Scandinavian brand.

A vast 14.5-inch portrait touchscreen dominates the dashboard, handling virtually everything from navigation to climate control. It runs on Google Automotive, so just type "food" into Maps and nearby restaurants pop up instantly.

Handy, mostly.

We did find ourselves on a wrong turn during our photoshoot when the display didn't realign to face the right direction. But it rerouted quickly enough.

Buttons are scarce.

The steering wheel has some, but with no clear labels. We only figured out they could adjust the wing mirrors through the settings.

Cruise control isn't obvious either. You have to select the type in the centre display, before activating it with a steering wheel button. Not exactly something you can just wing on a dual carriageway.

And the indicator? Instead of a standard click, Polestar opted for a popping sound.

Unique, yes.

Mildly disorienting? Also yes.

That said, once you've spent time with it, you do get used to it.

The key card can be added to your phone's wallet, you can share digital keys, and the car remembers settings for up to six drivers — genuinely clever stuff.

Rear passengers are well looked after too.

Legroom is exceptional, which is a real win for anyone over six feet.

The middle seat is a squeeze for anyone sitting in it, but a fold-down table with cupholders more than makes up for it on longer journeys. Rear passengers also get their own heating controls and two USB ports.

And the boot? Seriously spacious.

With the seats up you get 484 litres of space. That’s enough for a full family's worth of luggage.

Fold the rear seats down and that jumps to 1,411 litres.

There's also useful underfloor storage and a 32-litre frunk up front, perfect for stashing charging cables. Pop-up shopping bag hooks are a nice practical touch too.

Opening the boot remotely wasn't immediately obvious. We ended up diving into the settings during our photoshoot before realising it could be done with the keycard. Small learning curve, but worth knowing.

Sustainability is woven into the interior too.

Most materials are recycled, and Polestar is refreshingly transparent about the car's CO2 footprint — the Polestar 3 sits under 25 tonnes CO2-equivalent, meaning on UK electricity it repays its manufacturing debt in under two years.

The 2026 update brought a faster infotainment processor and some small quality-of-life improvements, including the ability to adjust adaptive cruise control following distance.

Steering wheel buttons are also set to get clearer labelling. A long overdue improvement that will address one of the original car's biggest frustrations.

Smooth, silent, and seriously quick

We jumped into the Polestar 3 at Carparison HQ, and after a couple of minutes of fumbling around trying to start the engine (pro tip: Make sure the keycard is in its holder) we were off.

Regenerative braking does take a little getting used to.

Lift off the accelerator and the car slows swiftly, charging the battery as it does. Activate one-pedal drive and you can bring the car to a complete stop without touching the brakes. Magic? Almost.

Then we hit the A38 and let it rip.

The 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds speaks for itself. That hill that would have a combustion engine working overtime? The Polestar 3 flew up like it was nothing.

Polestar claims it's an SUV that drives like a sports car.

They're not wrong.

It doesn't feel like any old SUV. It's composed, responsive and packed with space. Truly, the best of both worlds.

For a car that weighs over two and a half tonnes, body control is genuinely impressive.

Minimal body roll, well-weighted steering and a composure through corners that belies its size. The air suspension — standard on Dual Motor and Performance models — can be adjusted between Standard, Nimble and Firm settings, and does a good job of smoothing out imperfections.

It's not perfect though.

The brake pedal feel isn't the sharpest, and the switch between regenerative and mechanical braking isn't always seamless. On tight urban roads, the size does become apparent too.

The 2026 update revised the powertrains across the range — the Dual Motor now produces 537bhp and gets from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds, while the Performance pushes that to a staggering 671bhp and 3.9 seconds.

Worth knowing if you're considering leasing today.

How far can it go?

With a claimed range of up to 438 miles (WLTP Comb) on the original model, the Polestar 3 puts range anxiety firmly in the past.

In the driver's display it shows how many miles you have left, but we found it wasn't always spot-on — after a 4-mile journey it dropped by 10 miles.

Not a major issue, but worth knowing. Estimated range in most cars isn't 100% accurate, and real-world range will always vary depending on speed, conditions and how you drive.

The original model charged at up to 250kW, taking 10-80% in around 30 minutes.

The 2026 update pushes that to 350kW on Dual Motor and Performance models, bringing the 10-80% time down to just 22 minutes. That’s a significant improvement that makes long-distance driving considerably more convenient.

The 2026 update also brought new CATL battery packs (92kWh for the Rear Motor and 106kWh for Dual Motor and Performance variants) alongside an 800V architecture and up to 6% efficiency improvement. The Dual Motor now offers 394 miles of range and the Performance 368 miles (WLTP Comb).

At home via a 7kW wallbox, a full charge on the Dual Motor or Performance takes around 16 hours.

Simply plug in when you get home and wake up to a full battery in the morning.

What's good, and what's not

The Polestar 3 is a great EV, but it still has its flaws:

The good bits:

• Stunning concept car looks that still turn heads
• Drives better than its size and weight suggest
• Exceptional rear legroom — a real highlight for taller passengers
• Premium, sustainable interior materials throughout
• 484-litre boot expanding to 1,411 litres with seats down
• Free hardware retrofit for existing owners — rare and commendable

The not-so-good bits:

• Lack of physical buttons — steep learning curve
• Steering wheel buttons have no clear labels — confusing until you've figured it out
• Cruise control setup is far from intuitive
• Wing mirrors take the full brunt of British rain — visibility suffers
• Rear wipers not immediately obvious to operate

What's the verdict?

The Polestar 3 is a seriously stylish, high-tech electric SUV that delivers on most fronts. It's fun, fast and genuinely enjoyable to drive — and the 2026 overhaul made a great car even better, with faster charging, more power and meaningful efficiency improvements.

It's not without its quirks.

The infotainment learning curve, lack of physical buttons and the odd indicator sound will frustrate some.

But once you've got to grips with it, you'll wonder why you ever settled for anything less.

Top five reasons to consider the Polestar 3:

1. Up to 394 miles range (WLTP Comb) and 350kW charging — 10-80% in just 22 minutes
2. Drives better than its size and weight suggest — composed, responsive and genuinely fun
3. Premium, sustainable interior with exceptional rear legroom
4. Five-star Euro NCAP rating for total peace of mind
5. 2026 update brought 670bhp Performance variant and significant tech improvements

Would we recommend leasing a Polestar 3?

Absolutely.

The Polestar 3 is ideal for families and business drivers who want luxury, performance and sustainability in one sleek package. And with a 4% Benefit in Kind (BiK) rate, it's a particularly compelling choice for company car drivers too.

The Dual Motor is the sweet spot in the range — plenty of performance, the best range and the full 350kW charging capability.