Polestar 3 down under: the ultimate Tasmanian test drive

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

For Sam Purcell of Drive.com.au, the car’s design instantly set it apart from other EVs. "It looks and feels good, but I also appreciate that it stands apart from the ‘same-same’ designs that, for me at least, miss the mark.” Nathan Ponchard from Chasing Cars echoed Purcell's sentiments, applauding Polestar's bold approach to a “sexier” SUV, which he described as a "strikingly handsome, broadly muscular SUV" with a poised stance, thanks to its wide frame, low center of gravity, and balanced weight distribution.

CarsGuide.com.au’s Chris Thompson highlighted the front of the Polestar 3, noting its commanding road presence, while Bruce Newton of EV Central remarked the car “appeals at a glance and impresses with its detail,” thanks in part to the svelte low-roof profile – a deliberate design choice.

News.com.au’s Danielle Collins remarked on the aerodynamic wings and blades as both functional and futuristic design elements that bring personality to the car. Alan Zurvas of Gay Car Boys agreed, singling out the car’s "elegant wing” perched on the bonnet, a concealed yet striking piece of automotive architecture that curves across the front and frames each headlight – a touch he says is not only visually appealing, but also fully functional.

So, the Polestar 3 looked the goods. But how will this car handle on some of Australia’s most challenging roads?

ON-ROAD

The challenging conditions of Tasmania’s winding country roads would certainly put any car through its paces, but as Stephen Ottley of Torque Café points out, Polestar was quietly confident that the 3 would be up to the challenge: “It says a lot about a company’s faith in its product where they decide to launch it, twisty and winding roads indicates they have faith in its handling," he says.

As expected, the Polestar 3 Long range Dual motor with Performance pack was quick to impress.

Polestar 3 held its own – even on Australian B-roads. Matt Brogan of GoAuto News remarked, “Tassie’s meandering and at times quite pockmarked B roads served only to highlight the strengths of its new Polestar 3 SUV.” Thanks to the car’s dual chamber adaptive air suspension system, shocks were largely absorbed and often unnoticed when travelling on uneven roadways. Ponchard was quick to recognise the well-engineered, capable suspension system, which “quelled sharp impacts while at the same time offered a cossetting ride.”

Tasmania’s open roads proved the perfect testing environment for Polestar 3, which didn’t disappoint. Collins noted the sharpness and responsiveness of the acceleration, while Ottley praised the car’s agility. “Its dual-motor powertrain produces a very healthy 380kW of power and 910Nm of torque, so it has the ability to launch out of corners with ferocity,” he remarked. Newton highlighted the car’s seamless driver experience. “The car is in sync with the road and you are in sync with the car. Sure, it points and shoots, but it also grips and steers with a level of connection that’s surprisingly unexpected,” he says.

But perhaps the most fun in Polestar 3 was to be had just around the bend. Literally.

When cornering the car at speed (safely, of course), that’s when the Borg-Warner dual clutch system really shone. Brogan was impressed with the car’s ability to deliver powerful, fast and agile driving in challenging driving conditions, as the car’s all-wheel drive and torque vectoring systems achieved remarkable traction and provided confident handling at every turn. Ponchard echoed these sentiments, praising the Borg-Warner dual clutch's ability to transfer power to either rear wheel, effectively pointing the car into corners. Giles Parkinson of The Driven added, “The handling of this vehicle is really quite extraordinary. It’s so fun to drive ... it is the steering through bends and corners that delivers the most pleasure.”

DESIGN AND INTERIOR

As a proud design-led brand, it was important that every aspect of Polestar 3 be meticulously planned from the ground up, to ensure maximum luxury and comfort, without compromising on functionality and sustainability. 

Almost unanimously, the group were impressed with the high-quality materials used in the minimalist Scandinavian interior. Newton, Purcell, Parkinson and Collins all appreciated the attention to detail, impressed that the use of recycled materials didn’t detract from the interior, but rather enhanced the uncompromising, high-quality finishes in the cabin. Ponchard goes on to say that Polestar 3’s, “... lounging five-seat comfort, panoramic vision and alluringly minimalist cabin treatment serve as a brilliant reminder that less is indeed more.” Collins adds, “The attention to detail in design really does enhance the overall driving experience.”

Taking a step back from the finer details, the group were wowed by the sheer space inside the car. Zurvas likened Polestar 3’s interior to that of a ballroom, both in space and feel, while Ponchard dubbed it a “loungeroom on wheels.” For any adult occupants concerned about space in the rear, Zurvas assures they needn’t worry. “Rear legroom is astounding, and lowering the roof hasn’t affected 201mm worth of ground clearance, bettering many SUVs by a considerable margin,” he says.

AUDIO, TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY

It was non-negotiable for Polestar 3 to be equipped with the ultimate in driver (and passenger) comfort, including innovative technology and robust safety and driver assistance systems. Newton says Polestar 3 has achieved just that, with a “generous amount of luxury, technology and safety equipment” in the car.

Complete with the Android-based system, the infotainment screen is intuitive and includes Google built-in, offering seamless access to navigation, apps, and over-the-air updates that keep the system current. Ponchard appreciated Polestar 3’s “... relative simplicity and effortless cognition of its digital interfaces,” while Parkinson liked the “big screen and the simple, easy to follow lay out of controls and icons."

The 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system is a high point for the Polestar 3, enhancing the cabin with concert-level sound. Brogan says it’s a car for the audiophiles, offering “concert-hall clarity” with “rich, rounded sound offered almost irrespective of where you choose to sit.” With the car’s low noise profile, the system is a cherry on top of a car that exudes refined sophistication.

Safety is an area where Polestar leans heavily into its Volvo heritage, incorporating an impressive array of technology that’s designed to be helpful without being invasive. As Thompson notes, “the safety tech in the Polestar 3 is incredibly un-intrusive,” meaning drivers can feel secure without experiencing constant alerts or interventions. Purcell also highlights the car’s nine exterior and three interior cameras alongside 12 ultrasonic sensors for enhanced safety and visibility.

THE VERDICT

So, how did this Swedish electric SUV fare on Australian roads?

Polestar 3 received overwhelmingly positive praise for its powerful performance, comfortable driver experience, minimalistic design and extraordinary levels of safety and tech. Purcell and Parkinson both agree that the Polestar 3 is great value for a luxury electric SUV in its class. Newton says, “The breadth and depth of the Polestar 3’s versatile capability is what makes it stand out from luxury EV rivals,” adding that this is his pick of luxury SUVs on the market right now. Brogan encourages anyone shopping for a large premium SUV to add the 3 to their list, while Thompson says, “... in its own segment there are electric rivals that could learn a lot from it.”

But don’t just take their word for it. Experience Polestar 3 and discover the SUV that handles like a sports car. Book a test drive.