The reviews are in: Polestar 3 impresses on international test drive
Performance. Design. Comfort. Safety. These are just a few of the key highlights identified by journalists who test drove Polestar 3 at the international test drive event in Spain last month. The drive loop, which took media through the busy streets of Madrid to the twists and turns of Spanish mountain passes, was designed to really demonstrate the handling characteristics of Polestar 3. Needless to say, it was up to the challenge.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Before even getting behind the wheel, Polestar 3 wowed with its sleek, sporty look and strong stance on-road. Nathan Ponchard of Wheels said, “From virtually any angle, the Polestar 3 appears considered, tasteful and handsome, as well as strikingly individual – especially from behind.”
This sentiment was echoed by John Carey of News.com.au, who states, “In the metal the Polestar 3 is even lower than it looks in photographs. Lovelier, too, with a tapered profile and elegantly sculpted form. The nose provides the design highlight. There’s an aero-aiding wing in the leading edge of the bonnet, above a so-called “smart zone” that houses many of the vehicle’s forward-facing sensors.”
But beauty is only skin deep. What they were really keen to discover was how Polestar 3 would handle on the road.
ON-ROAD
Despite its SUV proportions, Polestar 3 was lauded for its dynamic agility and exceptional performance and handling characteristics.
Byron Mathioudakis of CarsGuide.com.au was immediately impressed, stating, “Wow. This isn’t like any Swedish car we’ve ever driven before. Being electric with a pair of electric motors, acceleration is as you’d expect – instant, rapid and ultra-slick, especially in the sportier modes. Effortless and immediate, it’s a portent of things to come.”
Ponchard lauded the Polestar 3 for its driver confidence, noting, "On Spain’s fast-moving motorways, the Polestar 3 defines driver confidence. It combines a broad stance on the road with delightful fluidity, crisply and effortlessly threading its way through some quite challenging freeway corners...” He highlighted the vehicle’s dynamic rhythm and handling balance, attributing this to the Borg-Warner dual-clutch rear differential which employs mechanical torque vectoring.
Tom Baker of Chasing Cars adds, “The experience begins with seductive motor take-up tuning that, even among refined EVs, sees the Polestar 3 slink off with a noticeable silky richness underfoot, while the blended brake pedal tune – mainly noticeable if regen is turned off – is expertly calibrated.”
Rob Margeit from Drive.com.au found the Polestar 3 to be a joy to drive, stating, "On paper, the Polestar 3 really shouldn’t be this much fun to drive. After all, it is a big and heavy electric SUV. But the engineers at Polestar have done a remarkable job to disguise both its size and mass." He further highlighted the vehicle’s seamless integration of regenerative and friction brakes, providing a smooth and refined driving experience.
DESIGN AND INTERIOR
Design is a hallmark of the Polestar brand, so it’s unsurprising that Polestar 3's design received unanimous praise for its luxurious feel, Scandinavian minimalism, and attention to detail. Margeit highlighted the Polestar 3 interior as a masterclass in design, reflecting Polestar’s philosophy with an uncluttered and classy aesthetic. Mathioudakis noted the use of recycled materials and thoughtful procurement of options, contributing to the vehicle’s luxurious yet environmentally conscious appeal.
Toby Hagon of EV Central also commented on the luxurious feel when considering the interior of Polestar 3, stating, “Dash trim choices include black ash wood or aluminium and those upmarket soft finishes flow elsewhere, too, from mesh-like inserts and the choice of lighter hues, there’s a real luxury ambience. Throw in some Swedish design minimalism...and it makes for a seriously upmarket cabin.”
Mike Sinclair of carsales.com.au highlighted the vehicle's classy simplicity, with a modern, tech-infused cabin that includes a portrait-oriented touchscreen as the centerpiece of the instrument panel. "The quality of the design, graphics, and even the use of Polestar’s own font is first-class," he said.
AUDIO AND TECHNOLOGY
The Polestar 3’s premium 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system garnered significant attention for its exceptional audio quality. Ponchard described it as "truly mind-blowing sound clarity and staging," while Margeit likened it to a concert hall experience. Matt Brogan of GoAuto News was particularly impressed by the system's prowess in handling all types of music with remarkable clarity and depth.
SAFETY
Designed with the latest structural innovations and advanced driver assistance systems, Polestar 3 has safety at its core. According to Mathioudakis, safety innovation in the Polestar 3 is at the ‘forefront of the industry’.
Emerging as a formidable contender in the luxury electric SUV segment, Polestar 3 combines safety with an impressive blend of design, performance, and cutting-edge technology. According to Ponchard, “... from a luxury and niceties perspective, and in terms of active-safety – the Polestar 3 seems like good value compared to the rivals Polestar is quoting.”
After being put through its paces, Polestar 3 has proven itself as a performance powerhouse at the forefront of automotive design. Full of useful, integrated tech and safety features, it is a serious contender in its class, as Baker says it is 'ready to genuinely fight the Porsches of the world'. As Polestar continues to push the traditional boundaries of automotive design, innovation, and performance, for now, Polestar 3 truly defines electric excellence.
