The Polestar 3 represents the Swedish brand’s most ambitious vehicle yet—a premium electric SUV built to challenge established German luxury players like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. After analyzing 14 detailed YouTube reviews with over 3.4 million combined views, a clear picture emerges of a vehicle that excels in design and driving dynamics but comes with notable compromises.
What Is the Polestar 3?
The Polestar 3 is a large electric SUV measuring 4.90 meters long, sharing its platform with the Volvo EX90. However, as AUTO BILD’s Rolf Klein points out, the key difference lies in positioning: “The Polestar 3 is positioned higher and has the larger battery, while the Polestar 4 is more of an SUV coupé.”
Three powertrain options are available:
- Single Motor (Rear-wheel drive): 220 kW (299 hp), 706 km WLTP range
- Dual Motor (All-wheel drive): 360 kW (489 hp), 636 km WLTP range
- Performance: 380 kW (517 hp), 567 km WLTP range
All variants share a substantial 111 kWh battery (107 kWh usable), making it one of the largest batteries available in production EVs.
Where Reviewers Unanimously Agree
Stunning Exterior Design
Every reviewer praised the Polestar 3’s appearance. Carwow’s Mat Watson called it “a really good looking car” with its “sloping low roof line” and “fully functional front wing.” ADAC appreciated how “Polestar places great value on dynamics and design,” particularly noting the aerodynamic elements that achieve a 0.29 drag coefficient.
Auto Focus went further: “The best compliment I can give a car is that this is how I would have designed it.”
Premium Interior Quality
The interior earned universal acclaim. Die-Autotester noted the “beautiful materials that are well crafted,” highlighting the combination of sustainable fabrics, open-pore wood, and recycled materials. The wool upholstery option particularly impressed Der-Autotester, who described falling “in love” with the seats.
Move Electric’s Jens praised the “very noble” appearance with “only soft materials” throughout, though he criticized the piano black trim on the center console as a “turn-off.”
Exceptional Sound System
The optional Bowers & Wilkins audio system received extraordinary praise. Auto Focus declared it “either the second best or the best speaker system I have ever heard in a car, period,” comparing it favorably to systems in vehicles costing far more. With 25 speakers, 1,610 watts, and Dolby Atmos support, Carwow described the experience: “The sound is causing me to vibrate… it’s like being in a cinema.”
Comfortable and Capable Driving Experience
Reviewers consistently praised the driving dynamics. Auto motor und sport confirmed Polestar’s claim that despite being an SUV, “it drives like a sports car.” The air suspension (standard on Dual Motor variants) earned particular praise for absorbing bumps remarkably well despite the large 22-inch wheels.
Autogefühl’s Thomas noted: “The Polestar 3 actually feels a bit more agile and sportier than the Volvo EX90… even though they share so much.”
Google-Based Infotainment Excellence
The Android Automotive operating system with Google integration impressed nearly every reviewer. ADAC demonstrated the seamless route planning: “We have Google Maps on board… and we can use the voice control. It works really well.”
Move Electric particularly praised the ability to filter charging stations by preferred networks—a feature many competitors lack.
Where Opinions Diverge
Is the Range Sufficient?
This sparked significant debate. Auto Focus expressed disappointment: “Unfortunately this car does not have that much range… about 270 miles. Wish it was more.”
However, 163 Grad’s Oliver Krüger argued context matters: “For experienced EV drivers like me, range isn’t as critical because charging infrastructure is well developed.”
Real-world testing by Move Electric showed consumption around 26-28 kWh/100km at highway speeds, translating to roughly 400 km of practical range—significantly below the WLTP figures but still competitive.
Single Motor vs. Dual Motor Value Proposition
163 Grad explored whether the €7,000 savings on the Single Motor variant makes sense: “The difference in consumption isn’t so dramatically large… I think it’s more about the price difference.” He concluded the Single Motor exists primarily to fit corporate fleet policies with strict price caps.
JÖNOHS praised the Single Motor’s steel suspension as “pleasantly sporty” but noted you sacrifice the height adjustment capability of the air suspension.
Touchscreen-Heavy Controls: Innovation or Frustration?
The Tesla-like approach to controls divided opinion. Auto Focus criticized that “the glove box only opens with a button on the touchscreen—there isn’t even a handle.” Similarly, adjusting mirrors or steering wheel position requires navigating through menus.
Die-Autotester acknowledged this trade-off: “Some things are very close to Tesla, but everything is fundamentally well-solved.” However, they wished for physical buttons for lumbar support adjustment.
Rear Seat Comfort
Carwow noted a limitation: “The seat bases are quite close to the floor because of the battery pack underneath, which means you don’t have much under-thigh support.” However, they added that generous legroom allows passengers to stretch out comfortably.
JÖNOHS was more critical: “You really wonder if it’s even an SUV” given the low seating position in the rear.
Common Criticisms
Piano Black Surfaces
Nearly every German reviewer complained about the glossy black trim. LeasingMarkt lamented: “Unfortunately piano black… I personally don’t like it.” Auto Focus added it “not only will scratch pretty badly but it reflects terribly as well.”
Window Control Compromise
Move Electric called it “an outrage at this price point” that there are only two window switches, requiring a toggle to control rear windows—a cost-cutting measure borrowed from Volkswagen’s ID.3.
Limited Cargo Space
At 484 liters, trunk capacity disappointed several reviewers. JÖNOHS stated bluntly: “For a vehicle this size at 4.90 meters, that’s really too small.” The Polestar 4, despite being smaller overall, actually offers more cargo room.
Fixed Glass Roof Without Blinds
Autogefühl strongly criticized the panoramic roof: “You’re basically at its mercy when it’s really hot in summer… it gets really warm through this glass roof.” Unlike the Polestar 4’s electrochromic option, the 3 offers no way to block sunlight.
Charging and Efficiency Reality Check
Move Electric conducted extensive real-world testing and found:
- Highway consumption at 130 km/h: approximately 27-28 kWh/100km
- Mixed driving: around 22-23 kWh/100km
- DC charging peaked at 190 kW (below the 250 kW maximum)
- 10-80% charging takes approximately 30 minutes
Autogefühl discovered significant efficiency losses at higher speeds: “Constant 130 on the highway, consumption went toward 30 kWh/100km… meaning if you drive constant 130, you’ll get less than 400 km.”
The 400-volt architecture is a limitation, though Polestar is expected to offer an 800-volt upgrade in coming model years.
Pricing and Value Assessment
Base prices start at:
- Single Motor: €74,590
- Dual Motor: €81,590
- Performance: €88,190
Die-Autotester positioned the value proposition clearly: “Compared to a Porsche Taycan or a large BMW, this Polestar is significantly cheaper” while delivering comparable luxury.
However, Carwow cautioned: “This rang-topping version with all the options costs £85,000… so it’s a direct competitor for the likes of BMW iX, Audi Q8 e-tron, and Mercedes EQE SUV.”
Who Should Buy the Polestar 3?
Move Electric summarized the ideal buyer: “If you need this space, if you need a large SUV and have the necessary funds, this is definitely a car you should look at.”
Auto motor und sport emphasized sustainability-conscious buyers: “24.7 tons of CO2 are produced when building a Polestar 3—about 10% below average.”
ADAC offered practical advice: “If you’re looking for a purely electric vehicle in the upper mid-class and want to drive something different, definitely try the Polestar 3.”
The Bottom Line
The Polestar 3 emerges from this review roundup as a genuinely compelling premium electric SUV with exceptional design, outstanding driving dynamics, and class-leading audio. Its Google-based infotainment system sets the standard for route planning and voice control.
However, prospective buyers should approach with realistic expectations about range (plan for 400-450 km in real-world conditions), accept the touchscreen-heavy interface philosophy, and understand that cargo space is modest for the vehicle’s footprint.
As Carwow concluded with their verdict: “I have a crush on this car, but I know it’s not for me… if I designed a car, it would look a lot like this.” That sentiment—admiration tempered by practical considerations—captures the Polestar 3 experience perfectly.
For buyers prioritizing design, driving pleasure, and sustainable luxury over maximum cargo space and range anxiety elimination, the Polestar 3 makes a strong case as the most distinctive choice in its segment.