2025 Polestar 3

Is the 2025 Polestar 3 a Good SUV?

"Our affection for the smaller, sedan-like Polestar 2 had us prepared to go gaga for the midsize Polestar 3, but certain aspects leave us cold. One example is the base single-motor model's leisurely 7.5-second lope to 60 mph, which you'll have to live with if you want the 3's maximum 350-mile range. Step up to a dual-motor 3 and you'll have a more competitive balance of acceleration and range, but that puts the price into the $70s. Polestar needs a big hit right about now, and we're not sure the 3 is what the doctor ordered, but it does land squarely in the middle of this competitive segment."—Ranked #3 out of 6 Midsize Luxury Electric SUVs

Which 2025 Polestar 3 Should I Buy?

MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Polestar 3 that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.

1. 2025 Polestar 3 Single Motor Rear-Wheel Drive

• Base Price: $67,500
• Range: 350 mi
• Battery Capacity: 111.0 kWh
• Peak Charge Rate: 250 kW
• Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
• Engine: 1 electric motor
• Horsepower: 299 
• Torque: 361 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 7.5 sec
• Weight: 5,697 lbs
• Length: 192.9 in
• Towing Capacity: 2,000 lbs

The single-motor, rear-wheel-drive Polestar 3 uses the same powertrain as the Polestar 2 RWD, but it's got another 1,300 pounds or so to lug around. Predictably, that slows down the acceleration — the 3 needs 1.6 more seconds to hit 60 mph. At least the 350-mile range is impressive, but for the price, we're guessing folks would like more get-up-and-go. The 3 also doesn't have dramatically more cargo space than the 2 despite its larger exterior dimensions.

2. 2025 Polestar 3 Dual Motor AWD

• Base Price: $73,400
• Range: 315 mi
• Battery Capacity: 111.0 kWh
• Peak Charge Rate: 250 kW
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2 electric motors
• Horsepower: 489 
• Torque: 620 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 5.0 sec
• Weight: 5,886 lbs
• Length: 192.9 in
• Towing Capacity: 2,000 lbs

The first thing to know about the dual-motor Polestar 3 is that the max range quoted here is with the 21-inch wheels — the second-smallest set available. The 3 AWD actually doesn't achieve peak efficiency with the smallest wheels. We see no reason to get the base 20s, then, but if you do, know that the range drops slightly to 310 miles. Upsize to 22s, meanwhile, and you're looking at 287 miles. So, the 21s are the sweet spot, as is the dual-motor configuration in general. The acceleration is more what you'd expect from a $75k EV, and 315 miles of range is pretty darn good for an electric SUV these days.

3. 2025 Polestar 3 Dual Motor AWD w/Performance Pack

• Base Price: $79,400
• Range: 279 mi
• Battery Capacity: 111.0 kWh
• Peak Charge Rate: 250 kW
• Drive Type: All-wheel drive
• Engine: 2 electric motors
• Horsepower: 510 
• Torque: 671 lb⁠-⁠ft
• 0-60: 4.7 sec
• Weight: 5,886 lbs
• Length: 192.9 in
• Towing Capacity: 2,000 lbs

The Polestar 3 Performance Pack might as well be called the Trim of Diminishing Returns. You pay another $6k and you get to 60 mph three-tenths of a second quicker? There's a range penalty, too, although to be fair, it's only eight miles less than the regular Dual Motor AWD's range with 22-inch wheels. Anyway, the value just isn't there with the Performance Pack. Get the regular AWD version with the efficiency-maximizing 21-inch wheels and call it a day.