The 2025 Polestar 3 shows off impressive performance, refinement and sophistication. However, the fully electric crossover may lean too much on its design and not enough on the user experience.
If we’re on the market for a fully electric midsize luxury crossover, there are several choices on the market, including the new 2025 Polestar 3. The brand itself is still relatively young, and as this model’s name implies, it’s the third Polestar available so far, with more to come.
It’s equipped with a dual-motor powertrain that develops a combined 489 horsepower and 620 pound-feet of torque. All this muscle is channelled through all four wheels and according to the manufacturer, the Polestar 3 can blast from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. Adding the Performance Pack to the crossover raises output to 517 horsepower and 671 pound-feet, shaving 0.3 seconds off the 0-100 km/h dash. Towing capacity in both cases reaches 1,588 kilograms or 3,500 pounds, pretty much the average in the midsize electric crossover segment.
Thanks to a 111 kWh battery pack, the 2025 Polestar 3 boasts a driving range of up to 506 kilometres on a full charge, though opting for the $7,200 Performance Pack scrubs that down to 449 km. The on-board charger can replenish the battery at a speed of up to 11 kW, while the max charge speed on a DC fast charger is rated at 250 kW. And for those who live in cold climates who are wondering, a heat pump is included to enhance energy efficiency. Here are the ratings:
| Model | City/Highway/Combined Le/100 km | City/Highway/Combined kWh/100 km | Range (km) |
| Dual Motor (21-inch wheels) | 2.6 / 2.8 / 2.7 | 22.8 / 25.1 / 23.8 | 507 |
| Dual Motor (20-inch wheels) | 2.6 / 2.9 / 2.7 | 23.6 / 25.5 / 24.2 | 499 |
| Dual Motor (22-inch wheels) | 2.8 / 3.1 / 2.9 | 24.9 / 27.3 / 26.1 | 462 |
| Dual Motor with Performance Pack | 2.9 / 3.2 / 3.1 | 25.9 / 28.7 / 27.2 | 449 |
During our test of the Polestar 3 equipped with 21-inch wheels, but not the Performance Pack, we managed a very decent energy consumption average of 22.4 kWh/100 km.
While the P3 excels at straight-line speed, it can also handle and stop accordingly. Twenty-inch wheels with staggered tire width come standard, while 21- and 22-inch wheels and tires are optional. Brembo performance brakes are also found on every unit rolling off the assembly line in China. The rear axle gets torque vectoring, the steering offers three firmness modes, and so does the standard air suspension. The Performance Pack also firms up the suspension and adds Pirelli P Zero tires that were specially designed for the vehicle.
Standard features for the 2025 Polestar 3 also include a panoramic glass roof, LED exterior lighting, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a hands-free power liftgate, vegan PVC-based seat upholstery, eight-way power front seats, heated front seats, position and setting memory for six drivers, three-zone climate control, a nine-inch digital driver instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment system touchscreen running Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay integration (but not Android Auto), connected services with a three-year trial and over-the-air updates, Digital Key compatibility, a 10-speaker sound system, a 360-degree camera system and the full boat of advanced safety gizmos.
A bunch of mix-and-match option groups are available as well. The $7,200 Plus Pack adds animated exterior lighting, cornering lights, head-up display, a 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with Dolby Atmos tech, active noise cancellation, soft-close doors, a power-adjustable steering column, an advanced air filtration system, an infrared-coated windshield, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated wiper park and a modular folding load floor.
Also, the $7,000 Nappa Upgrade package adds massaging front seats, ventilated front seats, Black Ash wood trim and, of course, Nappa seat upholstery. The $2,600 Pro Pack includes 21-inch wheels and gold stripes on the black seat belts. Wool or vegan-based vinyl and recycled polyester textile upholstery, as well as a retractable semi-electric tow hitch, are optional as well.
In Canada, 2025 Polestar 3 pricing ranges from $98,900 to $122,200, including freight and delivery charges and the $100 A/C tax. But not the Canadian luxury tax. Our test car was equipped with the Plus Pack, the $1,600 Midnight paint job and the $1,500 21-inch Plus wheels, for a total of $109,000. In the USA, the Polestar 3’s price ranges from $68,900 to $93,400 and is available with a single-motor, rear-wheel drivetrain that’s currently not offered in Canada.
Competition in the midsize luxury electric crossover segment includes the BMW iX, the Cadillac Lyriq, the Jeep Wagoneer S, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, the Tesla Model X, the VinFast VF 9 and the Volvo EX90.
Why You Should Buy a 2025 Polestar 3
- The P3 looks good. Its low-slung, athletic stance matches its performance envelope, while the interior design screams Scandinavia minimalism as Polestar and Swedish brand Volvo are joined at the hip as two brands running under Chinese automaker Geely’s ownership.
- Performance, handling and braking abilities are superb. Yet despite this overall sportiness and the low-profile 21-inch tires on our test vehicle, ride quality is also marvellous.
- Driving range is competitive with its rivals in the midsize segment, even despite the drop when choosing the Performance Package. That said, the Tesla Model X is slightly more efficient and the BMW iX offers more range in its base form.
- There’s plenty of rear-seat legroom in the Polestar 3. The optional foldable load floor panel proves handy to keep objects from rolling around and integrates shopping bag hooks.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2025 Polestar 3
- In some areas of the Polestar 3, form comes before function. While we appreciate the minimalistic design, needing to dig through the on-screen menus to adjust the outside mirrors and the steering column, or to open the glovebox, is pure madness. There are four door windows, but only two power switches on the door panel, flanked by a toggle switch to control either the front glass or rear glass. Three buttons instead of four, just for the sake of minimalism, reduces user friendliness and raises our frustration. We’re humans with fingers and an easily distracted brain, and we need easy-to-grab or easy-to-poke physical controls for a car’s essential functions.
- It’s not cheap, with a starting price of about $100k. EV shoppers swimming in these price waters might want something that flaunts a more prestigious-looking badge, as Polestar’s logo may not offer the aura of prestige they’re seeking.
- The P3’s back seat may be roomy, but its cushions are low to the ground and we end up sitting with our knees awkwardly high. Not the best posture for longer road trips. Also, the low roofline and high door sills force us to climb into the cabin instead of simply sliding in.
- Strangely, given the crossover’s entry price in Canada, we’d expect to see features like a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and heated wiper park to be included as standard. They’re not. Buyers must check the Plus Pack option that adds another $7,200 to the tally—to which the Canadian luxury tax also applies, so that’s another 10% to the final price above $100,000.
Should You Buy a 2025 Polestar 3?
Luxury EV shoppers should find a Polestar dealership and try this crossover. It’s fast, refined and stylish, with decent range and energy efficiency to boot. They’re also still pretty rare at the moment, so it does provide a little exclusivity for the time being.
On the other hand, obtaining a luxury-brand electric crossover that’s as spacious, quick and satisfying to drive can cost less at other brands, such as Cadillac. The BMW iX is similarly priced, but you get the brand recognition that goes with it. In short, the 2025 Polestar 3 has a lot going for it, but it competes in a tough segment and shoppers might feel more confident opting for established brands instead of this relatively new marque. Owners must also learn to deal with the center infotainment screen as main control center, which can be distracting at times, especially for folks who aren’t very tech-savvy.
2025 Polestar 3 vs. The Competition
| Specifications | |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Polestar 3 | 2026 BMW iX | 2026 Cadillac Lyriq | 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV | 2025 Tesla Model X | |
| Price Range Before Luxury Tax ($CAD) | $98,900 to $122,200 | $93,115 to $150,715 | $73,798 to $112,918 | $99,690 to $171,190 | $152,590 to $198,040 |
| Drivetrains | - Dual Motor AWD | - Single Motor RWD - Dual Motor AWD | - Single Motor RWD - Dual Motor AWD | - Dual Motor AWD | - Dual Motor AWD - Triple Motor AWD |
| Output (hp) | 489 to 517 | 402 to 650 | 365 to 615 | 288 to 617 | 670 to 1,020 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 620 to 671 | 516 to 811 | 325 to 650 | 564 to 701 | 713 to 1,050 |
| 0-100 km/h (seconds) | 4.7 to 5.0 | 3.7 to 5.0 | 3.3 to 5.8 | 3.7 to 6.6 | 2.6 to 3.9 |
| Combined Energy Efficiency (Le/100 km) | 2.7 to 3.1 | 2.4 to 3.1 | 2.6 to 3.0 | 2.9 to 3.2 | 2.5 to 2.8 |
| Combined Energy Efficiency (kWh/100 km) | 23.8 to 27.2 | 21.6 to 27.8 | 22.9 to 26.3 | 26.1 to 28.3 | 21.3 to 23.7 |
| Driving Range (km) | 449 to 507 | 449 to 586 | 459 to 525 | 370 to 425 | 473 to 529 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,985 | 3,000 | 3,094 | 3,030 | 2,965 |
| Length (mm) | 4,900 | 4,966 | 4,996 to 5,001 | 4,863 to 4,879 | 5,057 |
| Width (mm) | 1,968 | 1,971 | 1,976 | 1,918 to 1,931 | 1,999 |
| Height (mm) | 1,614 | 1,720 | 1,627 to 1,634 | 1,672 to 1,685 | 1,680 |
| Headroom 1st/2nd/3rd (mm) | NA | 1,054 to 1,067 / 1,006 to 1,011 / - | 980 / 958 / - | 1,058 / 1,001 to 1,003 / - | 1,059 / 1,040 to 1,042 / 944 |
| Legroom 1st/2nd/3rd (mm) | NA | 1,021 / 988 / - | 1,125 / 1,006 / - | 1,031 / 1,031 / - | 1,046 / 983 to 1,012 / 756 to 819 |
| Cargo Volume Behind 3rd/2nd/1st (L) | - / 597 / 1,411 | - / 1,005 / 2,206 | - / 793 / 1,722 | - / 520 / 1,675 | 425 / 935 to 1,050 / 2,497 to 2,614 |
| Max Towing Capacity (kg) | 1,588 | 1,588 | 1,588 | 1,600 | 2,268 |
