2024 Polestar 3 SUV

　　2024 Polestar 3 Review

　　The brand's first proper SUV will enter a very hot segment

　　byNick YekikianNews Editor

　　Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the News Editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.

　　9/28/2022 (updated 5/15/2023)

　　What is the Polestar 3?

　　Right now, Polestar sells just one car: the 2. This electric sedan is an adequate Tesla Model 3 competitor, but its biggest problem — besides the parent company's lack of name recognition — is that it isn't a crossover. To that end, Polestar will launch its first electric SUV, the Polestar 3, early next year. It's here to fill a hole in Polestar's lineup, but the automaker is also relying on the 3 to help it grow in both terms of production volume and brand recognition. Tesla is everywhere, and GM, Volkswagen, Ford and almost every other major brand that builds EVs has significant brand awareness. Polestar, an offshoot manufacturer from Volvo, is a nascent brand, and the 3 is its best chance at gaining some needed traction.

　　The Polestar 3 will first hit our shores with a large battery pack and a dual-motor layout that the company says will feature "electric torque vectoring" thanks to a set of dual-clutch packs on the rear electric motor. The 3 will use a dual-chamber air suspension and active dampers that can swap between comfortable and sporty profiles, all while adjusting to the road conditions once every 2 milliseconds. Polestar also said, over time, the Polestar 3 will be available with autonomous highway driving technology powered by a lidar system.

　　Polestar is targeting a range of up to 300 miles in the standard dual-motor configuration, with estimated range falling to 270 miles if you opt for the Performance Pack. This package juices the Polestar 3 up to 517 horsepower and 671 lb-ft of torque and adds special tuning for the suspension. The Performance Pack also brings some splash, with Polestar's signature gold touches on the valve caps, seat belts and elsewhere.

　　This all sounds good to us, but the Polestar 3 will command a pretty penny. Prices start at $85,300, including destination, and we wouldn't be surprised if Performance Pack-equipped models crest the six-figure mark.

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Learn more about EV charging

　　zzdcar says

　　Electric SUVs are more popular than ever, and the segment is as tough as it gets. Polestar better bring its A game for the 3.