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Polestar 3
MotorTrend says just one year after its debut, the 2026 Polestar 3 returns with a host of upgrades, gaining more power and faster charging via a new 800-volt architecture allowing speeds up to 350 kW, though the single-motor base trim's battery pack is downgraded, reducing driving range; where the 3 sets itself apart is handling, feeling like a much smaller car and even drawing a comparison to a Porsche 911 during MotorTrend's testing, and it competes with the Tesla Model X, BMW iX, and Porsche Cayenne Electric. Kelley Blue Book says the Polestar 3 is Polestar's first proper SUV, an all-electric luxury SUV able to run up to 350 miles between charges, getting so many things right straight out of the gate with abundant style and tech to attract luxury buyers, excellent range to quell anxieties, quick recharging, and plentiful standard power, positioning it to mix with offerings from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
More power, faster charging for 2026
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says just one year after its debut, the 2026 Polestar 3 returns with a host of upgrades, gaining more power and faster charging via a new 800-volt architecture allowing speeds up to 350 kW, though the single-motor base trim's battery pack is downgraded, reducing driving range.
Handling that feels like a smaller car
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says where the 3 sets itself apart is handling, feeling like a much smaller car and even drawing a comparison to a Porsche 911 during testing, competing with the Tesla Model X, BMW iX, and Porsche Cayenne Electric.
Polestar's first proper SUV
Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) says the Polestar 3 is Polestar's first proper SUV, an all-electric luxury SUV able to run up to 350 miles between charges, getting so many things right straight out of the gate with abundant style and tech, excellent range, quick recharging, and plentiful standard power, positioning it to mix with offerings from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Questions buyers ask
How much range does the Polestar 3 have?
Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) says up to 350 miles between charges.
How does the Polestar 3 handle?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says it feels like a much smaller car, even drawing a comparison to a Porsche 911.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Polestar 3 is built around Electric motor(s), single or dual, rated at 299 / 489 / 517 horsepower across its electric midsize luxury SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 3 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 3 seats 5 and is a Electric midsize luxury SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 3.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Polestar 3
Single Motor is RWD at 299 hp with the longest range (up to 291 mi); Dual Motor adds AWD at 489 hp; Performance steps up to 517 hp with the shortest range (279 mi).
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Polestar 3 model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Polestar 3 | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Polestar 3 | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Polestar 3.
The Polestar 3 is a battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by Swedish manufacturer Polestar, an affiliate of Geely Holding and Volvo Cars, since 2024. The Polestar 3 is the first vehicle to use the SPA2 platform, a vehicle platform which is dedicated to battery-electric vehicles. The vehicle is based on Volvo's similarly sized EX90 crossover.
- Equipment
- 20 to 22-inch wheels, Android Automotive, which is seen in the Polestar 4 and the 2 comes standard. A 14.5-inch central touchscreen, a central computer from Nvidia, 3-zone climate control air conditioning with the CleanZone system, heated steering wheel, and USB-C charging (2 front, 2 rear) all come standard on the 3.
- Powertrain
- The 3 has a choice of two models: the Dual Motor, and the Dual Motor Performance Pack. The base Dual Motor has a combined output of 360 kW (489 PS; 483 hp) and 840 N⋅m, and a WLTP-rated range of 610 km (379 mi).
Source: Polestar 3 (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Year by year
The Polestar 3 across 2 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Polestar 3 | 81–97 | $800–$950 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2025 Polestar 3 | 77–95 | $800–$1,000 | 7 | 6 | 78 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Polestar 3, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 7 to 5 | 86.0 to 89.0 | 315 to 297 | Labels: 3 Long Range Dual Motor (20 Inch Wheels), 3 Long Range Single Motor (22 Inch Wheels) |
Trim by trim
Every 2025 Polestar 3 trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Range Single Motor | RWD | Electric Motor | 299 | 361 | 5,886 | 3,500 | – | $68,900 |
| Long Range Dual Motor | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | 489 | 620 | 5,886 | 3,500 | – | $74,800 |
| Long Range Dual Motor Plus | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | – | – | 5,886 | 3,500 | – | $80,300 |
| Launch Edition Long Range Dual Motor | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | 489 | 620 | 5,886 | 3,500 | – | $80,300 |
| Long Range Dual Motor Plus & Performance | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | 517 | 671 | 5,886 | 3,500 | – | $86,300 |
| Long Range Dual Motor Performance | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | 517 | 671 | 5,886 | 3,500 | – | $86,300 |
| Launch Edition Long Range Dual Motor Performance | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | 517 | 671 | 5,886 | 3,500 | – | $86,300 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2025 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
Polestar 3: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | 6 | 78 | electrical system, backup camera, visibility/wipers, structure |
| 2024 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | not available | ||
| 2022 | not available | ||
| 2021 | not available | ||
| 2020 | not available | ||
| 2019 | not available | ||
| 2018 | not available | ||
| 2017 | not available | ||
| 2016 | not available | ||
| 2015 | not available |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Polestar 3?
Federal recall records don't single out a best Polestar 3 model year: recall counts across the 1 published model years checked here stay within a normal range of this nameplate's own average (about n/a recalls per year), with no year standing out as notably higher or lower. Recall count is one input, not a purchase verdict. It says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record.
Q02What are common recall-related problems on the Polestar 3 by model year?
2025: electrical system, backup camera, visibility/wipers, structure.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Climate and electrical, Buying, records and recalls.
Compared with
Models this Polestar 3 is most often compared with.
Nearest Polestar models
Other Polestar models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 3 come in?
The 2026 Polestar 3 (electric midsize luxury SUV) comes in 3 trims: Long Range Single Motor, Long Range Dual Motor, Long Range Dual Motor Performance.
Q02What are the 2026 3 trims?
The 2026 Polestar 3 trims are Long Range Single Motor, Long Range Dual Motor, Long Range Dual Motor Performance, listed from the entry Long Range Single Motor up to the top Long Range Dual Motor Performance.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 3 use?
The 2026 Polestar 3 is built around Electric motor(s), single or dual, rated at 299 / 489 / 517 horsepower across its electric midsize luxury SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 3 have?
The 2026 Polestar 3 is rated at 299 / 489 / 517 horsepower (Electric motor(s), single or dual).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 3?
The 2026 Polestar 3 is offered with RWD / AWD.