Our Thoughts Exactly: 2025 Polestar 3

You have a choice of premium/luxury electric SUVs. So many brands – including start-ups – and so many variations on the same theme.

Yet, we think we may have found a suitable vehicle that resides in that segment. Or, have we?

The 2025 Polestar 3 is one such contender where you expect it to be worth the money. That means, it must meet a high level of expectations for discriminating consumers. It has to be of high quality, high content, advanced technology, superb engineering, and made to last for a very long run. 

Before we dive into the vehicle itself, just a gut check. Do we need to go over what Polestar is?

By now, you should know that it is a separate unit within Geely’s corporate family. While it was “spun” from Volvo, it does share some details between the two brands. It also shares production facilities alongside Volvo outside of China. 

In the case of the 2025 Polestar 3, its final assembly is near Charleston, South Carolina in a plant that was originally built for Volvo. That is the plant where the EX 90 is produced. 

The Polestar 3 is in an EV SUV space that is hotly contested. Some of the most talked about offerings in the marketplace compete directly with it. All we want to know is whether it stands out against those competitors. And, how?

Outside, it is a very distinctive and future-forward design. Yes, the “Thor Hammer” headlamps are a giveaway to its family semblance, as do the “shoulders” at the rear of the vehicle. Everything else is distinctively Polestar. 

That brand-specific design includes a grille-less front end with deployable grille shutters below. You also have a sleek roofline with a slanted C-pillar glass, leading to an almost-upright rear end. On the lower rocker panels and doors, there is a chunky black trim that show some “protection.” The rear end design shows a horizontal LED lightning signature across it. 

This Performance Pack tester came with a set of 22-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels mounted with performance tires. 

Before you get inside the 2025 Polestar 3, you must swipe the key card against the driver’s door handle. Then, you place the card on the wireless charging pad to get going. Once you flip the right stalk to either drive or reverse, the vehicle gets under way. When you are done, just press the park button, exit the vehicle and swipe the key card on the handle to lock and shut off the vehicle. If you remember all of this, then you can enjoy your 2025 Polestar 3. 

Taking its cue from its corporate sibling, the 2025 Polestar 3 offers a modern and minimalist cabin. A nine-inch digital driver display is cleanly designed with great graphics. It is also part of the steering column, which can be adjustable for tilt and telescope. You also have a large head-up display with clean, large fonts for more attentive driving. 

Most of the vehicle is operated from the 14.5-inch center touchscreen display. They can enable the buttons on the steering wheel. The knob on the center console operates the audio system. Our tester came with the upgraded 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. There are three categories of preset sound, with options for each one. The Abbey Road option sounded just awesome for anything we put through the system – including podcasts.

There is also a large stowage area underneath the console – perfect for small-to-medium sized bags. This Polestar 3 tester was upholstered the available Nappa Leather front seats. They offer a mix of support and comfort. Rear seat room was generous, as well. 

Cargo space is plentiful with up to 21.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Woth the rear seats down, that space expands to 49.8 cubic feet. There is also extra storage underneath the cargo floor and under the front hood. 

Powering our Performance Pack models was a pair of 180-kilowatt permanent magnetic motors that are mounted at each axle. In all, this driveline puts out a combined 517 horsepower and 671 pound-feet of torque. All four wheels benefit from this massive power pack. 

These motors are fed by a 17 module, 111-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Polestar claims it can recharge from 10-80% in just 30 minutes at a 250-kilowatt DC Fast Charge. While this configuration is rated with an estimated range of 279 miles, we found that we were able to maximize that to 300 miles from a full state of charge. 

In just normal driving, the overall throttle response was exceptional. There is a lot of instant torque with no reserve. If you happen to press the Performance button on the large touchscreen, it will pick up the pace beyond anything you can imagine. It is extremely quick and rapid using that mode. Once you take a deep breath, let the Pilot Assist simply chill you out on the highway. 

That moment of Zen will not be interrupted. The ride quality was very solid, with excellent dampening on various surfaces. Handling was quite controlled with nominal lean and roll. It just feels so good as you smoothly command the road. 

The steering rack does have a detached feeling. It will accomplish turns quite nicely – even tight maneuvers. On-center feel was fine, but Pilot Assist will keep you in the lane perfectly. The brakes felt superb. It could be the Brembo calipers painted in gold. They do stop well in normal and panic situations. Brake pedal feel was great, and, yes, you have a one-pedal driving mode that is adjustable. 

There are three choices to make when it comes to your 2025 Polestar 3 – single motor, dual motor, and the dual motor version with the Performance Pack. Pricing starts from $67,600. Our Performance Pack tester came with a sticker price of $93,100 – including the addition of the Pilot and Plus Packs. 

If we were to choose a premium/luxury electric SUV, the 2025 Polestar 3 would be high on the shopping list. The minimalist cabin works in their favor, along with the fresh and future-forward design. The driveline and battery system were also top notch. 

Yet, there is a concern that is at top of our minds. The retail network is only available in select metropolitan areas. Luckily, we have a Space in the Twin Cities with a nearby service center. A bit of searching on the internet would connect you with a retail and service location for Polestar.

The point being that the 2025 Polestar 3 is worth it. It is what well-heeled SUV customers are looking for – something different, distinctive, well-engineered and thought out. Something the other such vehicles in this segment might or might not be. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Polestar US – our opinions are of our own.

Photos provided by Randy Sterm and George Torline