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Pros
Cons
A relatively new player in the auto industry, Volvo’s electric vehicle (EV) offshoot Polestar recently introduced its first crossover.
The 2025 Polestar 3 is a midsize model with a luxurious interior, plenty of output from a pair of electric motors, and a large battery that provides about 500 km of range. Its pre-tax pricing puts it in the same category as the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, and Porsche Macan Electric, to name a few. Polestar promises elegant Swedish design and a great driving experience to help distinguish this crossover from its many rivals, which it (mostly) does successfully.
Styling 10 / 10
If you buy the Polestar 3 for a single reason, the way it looks is a great one. Crossovers typically don’t draw much attention based on a two-box shape that’s about the most common sight on the road today. However, the Polestar 3 looks almost as if it’s untouched by the constraints of production, like a concept car come to life.
It has a wide stance and a low roofline, mixed with visually striking elements like a hidden front wing, distinctive dual-blade headlights, and a three-dimensional rear light bar. It’s ultra-cool without trying too hard.
The minimalistic design continues inside with an emphasis on open space, clean lines, and expensive-feeling — but sustainable — materials. There are just two screens and virtually no physical buttons anywhere. It’s about as modern as interiors get.
User-Friendliness 7 / 10
It’s not that the interior is just different from almost anything else over the last decade — it’s that it will almost feel like it’s from another planet altogether. There’s no key, and no button to start and stop it; instead, there’s a key card the size of a credit card that can be kept in a wallet or handbag, unlocking the doors at close range. Once inside, simply put it in drive and go. And while that might seem easy enough, there’s a learning curve that comes with breaking with decades of tradition.
It’s the same story with everything else inside, since it’s all controlled through the infotainment system. That means adjusting the lights, mirrors, steering wheel, or even opening the glove box is all done through the central touchscreen. A small driver display above the steering wheel shows speed and other relevant driving information, and a volume dial on the floating centre console is the only physical control.
Getting used to doing everything on the screen takes some time, even though it’s intuitively laid out. There are also no switches on the driver’s side armrest to open and close the back windows, a most irritating cost-cutting move. Instead, there’s a button that’s used to toggle between the front and rear windows in the same vein as Volkswagen.
There were also some glitchy moments during this week-long test, like both interior screens turning off until the vehicle was stopped and restarted (which, of course, involved exiting and walking away, since there’s no “ignition” switch), a window that refused to stay closed, and a warning that the drivetrain required servicing, which also went away after a restart. [That same window issue has cropped up during previous Volvo test-drives.–Ed.]
Comfort 9 / 10
With plush seats, a whisper-quiet cabin, and generous legroom for rear passengers, the Polestar 3 is a great place to spend time in. Winter-ravaged roads resembling the moon’s surface were no match for the standard air suspension that shrugged off the biggest potholes regardless of drive mode setting. Meanwhile, the front seats are exceptional, and the vegan-friendly upholstery feels just as nice as leather and is composed from recycled materials.
Practicality 8 / 10
Based on a slightly shorter version of the platform that underpins the three-row Volvo EX90, the Polestar 3 forgoes the extra seats for a more capacious second row and a good-sized cargo area. (There’s an additional 90 L under the floor, and 32 L more in the frunk.) There’s also useful small-item storage in the door pockets, a deep bin in the armrest, and additional storage below it.
Driving Feel 8 / 10
Polestar’s claim to fame is driving dynamics and this crossover doesn’t disappoint, with well weighted and accurate steering, a beautifully damped ride, and strong braking performance. The air suspension allows just the right amount of body lean in the corners, and the software-based torque vectoring system makes the Polestar feel like it’s being vacuumed into the corner.
It’s not as sharp as the slightly smaller Porsche Macan Electric, swaying more toward the comfort end of the spectrum, but it’s about as buttoned down as a sporty crossover in this category gets. More astonishing is how something as heavy as the Polestar 3 can feel so nimble and agile.
Polestar uses Brembo brakes, and they are a standout here with a completely seamless transition from regenerative braking that uses the motors instead to friction braking, with a nice and firm pedal feel and short stopping distances.
Power 9 / 10
The dual-motor Polestar 3 produces a combined 489 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. There’s a Performance package that raises those figures to 517 hp and 671 lb-ft of torque and adds a sportier suspension tune, 22-inch forged alloy wheels, and gold accents.
The standard dual-motor Polestar 3 is as quick as most people will ever need, and it handles well, making an unconvincing case for springing for the Performance pack that adds $7,200 to the asking price.
Features 8 / 10
The Polestar 3 has a long list of standard features including air suspension, a heat pump, and sustainably sourced interior materials. The optional Plus pack ($7,200) adds luxuries like soft-close doors, active noise cancellation, acoustic rear glass, and a 25-speaker stereo. There’s also a lesser Pro pack ($2,600) that comes with 21-inch wheels and gold accents.
Fuel Economy 9 / 10
The Polestar 3’s efficiency is also worth a mention. (It’s an EV, after all.) Even with temperatures well below freezing, consumption never rose above 25.0 kWh/100 km. On many drives it dropped below 20.0 kWh/100 km even with the climate control system set to a comfortable level. That’s quite a bit better than the 24.2 it’s rated for, according to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
The 111-kWh battery provides up to 506 km of range on a full charge, and the company specifies a fast charge time of 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes in ideal conditions.
Safety 10 / 10
The Polestar 3 comes with a full suite of advanced driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver monitoring system. There’s also a collision avoidance system that can detect other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, and even an interior radar that can detect minute movement of occupants inside to prevent unintentionally leaving a child or pet behind.
Value 7.5 / 10
With a starting price of $98,800 before tax but including a $2,800 freight charge, the Polestar 3 isn’t cheap and can be seen as yet another six-figure electric vehicle in a world full of them. It also has a lot of competition, but its unique design and rewarding driving dynamics help set it apart. (The version tested here was the limited Polestar 3 Launch Edition that starts at $100,200 before tax but comes with the pricey Plus package.)
The Verdict
There’s a lot of choice if you have about $100,000 to spend on an EV. The 2025 Polestar 3 doesn’t break any new ground in its category, but it’s a thoroughly refined luxury crossover with great handling and a cushy ride. Its distinctive styling and relative obscurity in the marketplace are also a bonus for those that don’t want the same vehicle as their neighbour. Polestar might be a newcomer, but it’s quickly proving that its vehicles can run with the best around.
