Polestar 3 Full Review: Family-Friendly, Long-Range - Is this the Best EV SUV?

Car Reviews 05/06/2025

Watch DriverReviews ambassador Vicki Butler-Henderson give her verdict on the Polestar 3.

Join Vicki Butler-Henderson as she gets behind the wheel of the Polestar 3 – a powerful and stylish electric SUV from Sweden, blending bold design with everyday practicality.

With up to 517hp and 348 miles of range in Performance spec, or 438 miles in the entry-level version, the Polestar 3 combines comfort, space, and serious pace. It’s packed with tech, loaded with safety features, and even has Dolby Atmos sound and adjustable air suspension.

Is this the most compelling electric SUV on sale right now? Join Vicki to find out!

Specifications

• Price: Starting at £70,000 rising to approximately £81,500 for the model in our review.
• Battery Range: approx. 352 miles
• Power: approx. 510bhp
• Acceleration: 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds
• Towing capacity: up to 2,200kg
• Charging time: 10-80% in 30 min (rapid charging) / 0-100% in 11hrs (home or public charging 11kW AC)

Exterior Design

In the ever-expanding electric vehicle market, the Polestar 3's design really stands out. It’s striking and distinct, with huge road presence. Vicki says that it makes you look twice, no matter which angle you view it from. Starting at the front, there’s a sizeable aerodynamic wing to help the car glide through the air and improve its overall electric range. The Thor hammer-shaped headlights add to the car's presence, and the door mirrors provide a contemporary edge with their ball-and-socket design and frameless glass.

Looking at the sides of the Polestar from afar, you might question where the door handles are, as they sit flush with the doors. They only pop out when you approach the car with the key in your pocket, which might help with the car's aerodynamic properties. It has a wide stance and is a similar size to the BMW iX and the Audi Q8 E-Tron.

In terms of exterior design, the Polestar 3 features a low roofline and black trim around the glass, which helps disguise its size. At the rear, there is a sleek light bar surrounding the brake lights and indicators, an aerodynamic wing, and two unfamiliar aero blades on the sides of the bumper.

Boot Space & Entry

The theme of concealment continues when we look at the boot, as it may take you a minute or two to find the release button. Vicki does point it out, though: it can be found under the top lip of the diffuser. However, this isn't the only way to access the boot from the rear. There is also a 'kick method', whereby you can open the boot by waving your leg under the rear bumper.

This is a very handy feature if you are carrying shopping bags in both hands and are unable to reach the release button. Once you are in the boot, either by opening it with the key or by using the hands-free boot opening feature, you have access to almost 500 litres of space, which increases to just over 1,400 litres when the back seats are folded forward. While this isn't class-leading, Polestar has made up for it with a couple of nifty boot-accessible features.

Firstly, you can lower the rear by 40 millimetres, which could be helpful when loading awkwardly shaped or heavy items. Next, the floor folds down to provide extra storage space, and hooks are attached to its underside, which are perfect for hanging shopping bags and preventing them from toppling over!

Wheel & Tyre Talk

To complement the car's imposing overall look, Polestar has given the 3 a set of large alloy wheels. The model in the video is the Performance Pack specification and has 22-inch alloys, but you can opt for 21-inch or even 20-inch alloys.

The wheels in our review are clad in Pirelli P Zero PZ4 tyres, which have achieved an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from thousands of drivers on DriverReviews.

Interior Design

Vicki points out that, while the exterior of the car is bold, the interior is quite subtle. However, there are some features that really stand out, such as the golden seatbelts, which are only available as part of the Performance Pack, and the matching trim flowing through the door cards. Polestar is committed to sustainability, which is why the dashboard features repurposed aluminium.

When it comes to audio, the Polestar 3 is at the very top of its game thanks to its optional Bowers & Wilkins cinematic sound system. With Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound and speakers in the headrests and doors, the listening experience is quite something. The system is completed by a distinctive aeroplane engine-style tweeter perched on top of the dashboard.

Safety, Tech & Storage

As you would expect, the Polestar 3, which is part of the Volvo group, is packed with safety aids and driving assistance, with updates being sent over the air as soon as they are created. These aids and assistance are guided by haptic controls on the steering wheel, and if you need help getting to grips with them, you can always ask the onboard voice-activated assistant. Even the smallest of tasks, such as opening the glove box, require the car’s brain, as there is no physical button! We’d love to know your thoughts on this, so please let us know in the comments section of our YouTube video.

Other storage options include a set of door bins, a deep centre box and a flap located under the armrest, the purpose of which we're not quite sure of. If you have any suggestions, please let us know! There’s also a wireless phone charging mat that doubles as an area for recharging your car key (but you can’t use both functions at the same time).

Rear Seat Space & Features

As you would expect given that it shares a platform with the Volvo EX90, there is ample space in the rear of the Polestar 3, which has only five seats. The flat floor, a feature of EVs, gives the car a real open-plan feel, especially with the panoramic roof. Passengers are treated to USB-C ports, heated seat controls and a wide armrest with pop-out cup holders.

On Road Driving: Handling & Driving Experience

Now let's move on to how the car performs and drives. First, however, it is worth mentioning how you start the Polestar 3. You simply sit in the driver's seat, which may take some getting used to. As the driver, you can adjust the suspension, brakes and steering to suit the surface you are driving on, so there’s plenty to get involved with in the set up of this car. For example, if you want the best steering feedback, you can firm it up; at the other end of the scale, you can soften it for driving around town.

With one-pedal driving, you only use the throttle to move forwards, and when you lift off, you will slow right down. Vicki likens this to the control on a Scalextric set, which is another feature you’d need to get used to.

Range & Performance

As this is an electric car, it is worth talking about battery range. If you opt for the entry-level model, you will get an impressive range of 438 miles. However, if you prioritise power and opt for the performance pack, your range will decrease to 348 miles, which is still impressive. It is also worth mentioning the performance of this near two-and-a-half-tonne car, which can go from 0 to 60 in about 4.5 seconds.

Vicki’s Verdict

If you're looking for an electric car for family transport and are considering a Tesla, Vicki advises adding the Polestar 3 to your shortlist. The reason is that it is a refreshing alternative with some practical features and a really good look. It rivals the BMW iX and the Audi Q8 E-Tron, so there is plenty of choice in this market segment.

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