Verified vehicle record
2026 Polestar 3
Car and Driver says the 2026 Polestar 3 introduces an entirely new electrical system, switching from a 400-volt platform to an 800-volt setup that lets it charge at speeds up to 350 kW, with a 10-to-80-percent charge now estimated at 22 minutes -- 25 percent quicker than before; the 2026 models also trade their old nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries for lithium-ion packs providing up to 315 miles of estimated range, and a new in-house rear electric motor gives every Polestar 3 more power than its predecessor, with the mightiest model now peaking at 671 horses. MSRP runs $68,900-$86,300. MotorTrend says the Rear motor variant gets 34 extra horsepower for a total of 333 hp and 354 lb-ft, and says the Polestar 3 is far from a cheap car but a decent value by electric SUV standards -- athletic enough to hang with Porsches and BMWs while costing less than either; MotorTrend lists top-ranked competitors as the Porsche Cayenne Electric, BMW iX, Tesla Model X, Cadillac Lyriq, and Lucid Gravity.
Current archiveChecked Aug. 28, 2026United States specification
PowertrainElectric motor(s), single or dual
Output299 / 489 / 517 hp
DrivetrainRWD / AWD
Seating5
Decision answers9Trim, ownership and verification
What changed for 2026
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 Polestar 3 introduces an entirely new electrical system, with the 800-volt platform enabling faster charging. With the 800V system, the Polestar 3 can now charge at speeds up to 350 kW, with the time it takes to go from 10 to 80 percent now estimated at 22 minutes; Polestar says that's 25 percent quicker than before. Along with improved efficiency, the 2026 models trade their old nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries for lithium-ion packs, which now provide up to 315 miles of estimated driving range. Thanks to a new rear electric motor developed in-house, every Polestar 3 has more power than its predecessor, with the mightiest model now peaking at 671 horses.
Pricing and powertrain for 2026
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) lists MSRP at $68,900-$86,300. All three trims received a power boost for 2026: the Rear motor variant gets 34 extra horsepower for a total of 333 hp and 354 lb-ft.
How it compares to its closest rivals
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the Polestar 3 is far from a cheap car, but it's a decent value by electric SUV standards: it's athletic enough to hang with Porsches and BMWs, and it costs less than either. MotorTrend lists top-ranked competitors as the Porsche Cayenne Electric, BMW iX, Tesla Model X, Cadillac Lyriq, and Lucid Gravity.
Questions buyers ask
What's new for the 2026 Polestar 3?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says a switch to an 800-volt platform for faster charging, new lithium-ion batteries with up to 315 miles of range, and more power from a new rear motor.
How much does the 2026 Polestar 3 cost?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) lists MSRP at $68,900 to $86,300.
Research paths
Move from the vehicle to the decision.
Compare like with like: the closest configuration, not an unrelated advertised maximum.
Record summary
What to know first
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).
Model-year note
All three trims share the same 111-kWh battery: range differences come from motor count and output, not battery size.
Trim map
How the lineup separates.
Trim descriptions identify the meaningful change from one trim to the next; individual options can still vary.
| Trim | Place in the lineup | Notable equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Long Range Single Motor | Entry trim | Single motor standard, 299 hp, 361 lb-ft, RWD, up to 291 mi range |
| Long Range Dual Motor | Trim 2 of 3 | Dual motor standard, 489 hp, 620 lb-ft, standard AWD, up to 315 mi range |
| Long Range Dual Motor Performance | Top trim | Dual motor standard, 517 hp, 671 lb-ft, standard AWD, up to 279 mi range |
01
Entry trim
Long Range Single Motor
- Single motor standard, 299 hp, 361 lb-ft, RWD, up to 291 mi range
02
Trim 2 of 3
Long Range Dual Motor
- Dual motor standard, 489 hp, 620 lb-ft, standard AWD, up to 315 mi range
03
Top trim
Long Range Dual Motor Performance
- Dual motor standard, 517 hp, 671 lb-ft, standard AWD, up to 279 mi range
Complete certification table
5 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 502293 Long Range Dual Motor (21 Inch Wheels) | Electric motor / not listedEV | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1) | Electricity | 95 | 84 | 90 | 312 mi |
| 502303 Long Range Dual Motor (22 Inch Wheels) | Electric motor / not listedEV | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1) | Electricity | 85 | 76 | 81 | 281 mi |
| 502313 Long Range Dual Motor Performance Pack | Electric motor / not listedEV | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1) | Electricity | 85 | 76 | 81 | 281 mi |
| 502323 Long Range Single Motor (20 Inch Wheels) | Electric motor / not listedEV | Rear-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1) | Electricity | 102 | 88 | 95 | 286 mi |
| 502333 Long Range Single Motor (21 Inch Wheels) | Electric motor / not listedEV | Rear-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1) | Electricity | 105 | 89 | 97 | 291 mi |
Direct answers
9 questions tied to this model-year.
Each answer names its source.
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.
Source: Polestar
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.
Source: Polestar
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.
Source: Polestar specifications
Q04Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 3?
The 2026 Polestar 3 is offered with RWD / AWD.
Source: Polestar specifications
Q05What changed for the 2026 3?
All three trims share the same 111-kWh battery: range differences come from motor count and output, not battery size.
Source: Polestar model-year information
Q06What are the 2026 Polestar 3 trim levels?
Long Range Single Motor, Long Range Dual Motor, and Long Range Dual Motor with Performance pack.
Source: CarsDirect and Autoblog 2026 Polestar 3 research
Q07How much does the 2026 Polestar 3 cost?
The Single Motor starts at $67,500 and the Dual Motor at $73,400.
Source: CarsDirect and Autoblog 2026 Polestar 3 research
Q08What changed on the 2026 Polestar 3?
A move to an 800-volt electrical architecture, supporting DC fast-charging speeds up to 350 kW.
Source: CarsDirect and Autoblog 2026 Polestar 3 research
Q09How long does the 2026 Polestar 3 take to charge at home?
EPA lists 10 to 11 hours on a 240-volt Level 2 charger, depending on configuration: the 3 Long Range Single Motor (20 Inch Wheels) is quickest and the 3 Long Range Dual Motor (21 Inch Wheels) takes longest.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2026 Polestar 3.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Move from the guide to the VIN record.
Trim research establishes the marketed lineup. These primary-source paths resolve recall applicability, manufacturer-submitted identity fields and exact EPA configuration data.
01 · NHTSARatings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck unresolved safety recalls by VINOfficial remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAResolve the exact fuel-economy configuration1984–current browser →
Other model years
Compare the Polestar 3 across model years.
Source trail
Evidence behind the record
01
Polestar 3 official model pageManufacturer lineup, equipment and specifications
↗ (opens in a new tab)02FuelEconomy.gov vehicle dataEPA-certified configuration and fuel-economy records
↗ (opens in a new tab)03NHTSA vehicle data and recallsVIN attributes, safety campaigns and ratings
↗ (opens in a new tab)Specifications and pricing can change after publication. Critical purchasing decisions should be confirmed against the exact vehicle window sticker or manufacturer build record.