2023 Polestar 3 revealed

On sale: Summer 2023 | Price from: £79,900

In numerology, the number three is said to symbolise stability and good fortune – but it’s not just ancient beliefs that suggests the new Polestar 3 could be a big seller for the Chinese-owned car maker.

You see, the Polestar 3 will enter the brand into the popular electric SUV segment, placing it up against the Audi E-tron and BMW iX. It also marks the start of an expansion of the Polestar line-up, with the Polestar 4 coupé SUV and Polestar 5 performance car due to follow in late 2023 and 2024 respectively.

The 3 is powered by two electric motors that together produce a healthy 482bhp and 620lb ft of torque. With one motor mounted on the front axle and the other on the rear, the model has four-wheel drive and can sprint from 0-62mph in 5.0sec.

Not fast enough? Well, there’s also an optional Performance Pack. When specified, it lifts power to 510bhp with 671lb ft of torque, while reducing the 0-62mph time to 4.7sec. For comparison, the BMW iX xDrive50 can sprint from 0-62mph in 4.6sec.

The electric motors are driven by a 111kWh battery, which gives the 3 an estimated range of 379 miles. That’s slightly further than the iX xDrive50 can take you with its 105kWh battery and 369-mile official range.

We expect a less powerful version of the 3 to arrive later on. It is likely to have a smaller, 78kWh battery (the same as the Polestar 2 Long Range) and a range of around 270 miles, aligning it with the least powerful iX, the xDrive40.

The 3 can charge at speeds of up to 250kW, which means you can get it from 10-80% in around 20 minutes if you can find a suitably powerful charging point. That’s slightly quicker than the iX xDrive50, which can accept up to 200kW of charge and top up from 10-80% in around 30 minutes.

As evidenced by the car’s low, wide stance, front bonnet spoiler and rear boot lid spoiler, aerodynamics have played a key role in the styling of the 3 to help maximise its range. The 3 also features split front headlights, which will become a signature detail on future Polestar models.

Inside, there’s a minimalist theme, with the car’s main infotainment controls integrated into a large 14.5in central touchscreen. The screen houses Polestar’s latest Android-based infotainment system, which has been co-developed with Google. There are lots of sustainable materials, plus a choice of wood and metal detailing to help give the interior a luxurious feel.

As you would expect given that Polestar is the sister brand of Volvo, the 3 features the latest safety technology. For example, it is fitted with the ‘SmartEye’ system, which monitors the driver’s eyes and can stop the car if it detects drowsiness or a distracted driver. The 3 has one central computer system for all the car’s cameras, radars and sensors in an effort to optimise the driver assistance tech.

The model has been designed as an electric car from the ground up (with no need to leave room for a gearbox tunnel, for example), so it should have a roomy interior with plenty of space for passengers in the front and back seats. The 3's rear boot has a capacity of 484 litres, and there's also a 32-litre front boot (or 'frunk'). Combined, that’s a bit more space than you get in the iX (500 litres).

As standard, all versions of the 3 come with air suspension, a panoramic glass sunroof, LED lighting (inside and out) and 21in alloy wheels. A Plus Pack and Pilot Pack are included as standard for the first year of sale, adding a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, soft-closing doors, a head-up display and extra driver assistance tech.

As well as the increase in power, the optional Performance Pack brings a firmer suspension set-up, 22in alloys wheels and gold detailing.

Pricing for the 3 starts from £79,900 for the standard car, and moves up to £85,500 with the optional Performance Pack. The iX xDrive50 costs from £99,785.

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