Polestar 3 review - Electric motor, drive & performance

The Polestar 3 is based on many of the same underpinnings as the Volvo EX90 SUV, but where Volvo focuses on comfort first and foremost, Polestar has emphasised its intent to offer a more driver-focused experience with the Polestar 3 – to what extent the brand has succeeded, however, is another question.

Getting into the Polestar 3 we were very impressed with its driving position for an SUV overall, but didn’t like the fact that we had to go through five steps via the infotainment screen just to change the steering wheel position. Visibility is excellent, and the ridges on the edges of the bonnet made it easy to place the car, even when there was a lack of feedback through the steering wheel.

Although it’s a big SUV, the Polestar 3 has a low centre of gravity and plenty of power on tap in either guise. From launch every Polestar came in a dual-motor configuration, but while standard cars get 483bhp, the Performance Pack bumps this up to 510bhp for even more punch, and it’s this model we tested first. While that sounds like a good start, once we were on the move there was no avoiding the fact that it still felt like a very heavy car and the suspension setup means it can feel quite soft until you enter its ‘Firm’ setting.

The upside to this is that the Polestar 3 does a better job of smoothing out road imperfections at lower speeds than the Polestar 2’s harsh setup thanks to the sophisticated self-levelling dual-chamber air suspension and adaptive dampers. Really, then, the 3 feels more comfort-focused, but driven back to back with the Audi Q6 e-tron the Polestar still offers better body control.

The Polestar 3’s Brembo brakes provide an impressive amount of stopping power, and although the regenerative braking system comes on very smoothly, we wish there was more adjustability to it. In ‘High’ mode you get enough braking force to drive the Polestar 3 with just one pedal, and the ‘Low’ setting makes this slightly less aggressive, but other than that, the only option is to turn it off completely, and we found the Audi Q6 e-tron better judged in this respect.

Is the Polestar 3 good to drive in town?

Given its large size there are certainly easier cars to drive around town, but the Polestar 3 doesn’t do a bad job thanks to its tight turning circle – a feat it manages despite a lack of four-wheel steering. The steering feels light and quick which helps make it more nimble, although it does cause the Polestar 3 to feel a little wallowy at times. While the suspension setup can feel a bit floaty, good visibility and a view of the edges of the bonnet makes it straightforward to manoeuvre.

Is the Polestar 3 good to drive on long journeys?

At motorway speeds the Polestar 3 does a good job of offering a smooth comfortable ride, even on the 22-inch wheels our test car had. Polestar has done a particularly good job of insulating the cabin from road and wind noise, so it feels refined and quiet inside. We recommend putting the Polestar 3 into ‘Nimble’ or ‘Firm’ modes when on the motorway as it feels more settled.

Is the Polestar 3 good to drive on B-roads?

Although Polestar has reiterated that it intended to create a more driver-focused driving experience with the Polestar 3, B-road driving is unfortunately not really its forte. The steering can be put into one of three modes: ‘Standard’, ‘Firm’ or ‘Light’ – the problem is that it feels over-assisted and artificial in Firm. While the Polestar 3 certainly feels agile and grippy enough to cope with fast, twisty bends, there’s an unfortunate lack of feedback through the steering which makes it hard to confidently push it.

Carbuyer notes

“There’s not much communication done via the steering in the bends, which is a shame because the front end is quick, and there’s a clear overall balance to the Polestar 3.” Alastair Crooks, Senior News Reporter