Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor Performance

Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor Performance

The Polestar 3, launched for the 2024 model year, represents the brand's entry into the critically important performance electric SUV segment. As Polestar's first SUV and the model that CEO Thomas Ingenlath has described as essential to the brand's long-term viability, the 3 carries enormous expectations — it must establish Polestar as a genuine alternative to Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz in a segment that generates enormous revenue and customer loyalty.

The Polestar 3 is built on the same SPA2 platform as the Volvo EX90, but with significant differentiation in tuning, specification, and character. The Long Range Dual Motor Performance variant produces 517 horsepower and a massive 910 Nm of torque through permanent magnet motors at both axles. The 111 kWh battery pack (usable capacity) provides an EPA-estimated range of approximately 300 miles, placing the 3 competitively against the Porsche Cayenne Electric and BMW iX xDrive50.

Design is one of the Polestar 3's strongest suits. The proportions are athletic — a long hood, short overhangs, a steeply raked windshield, and a distinctive rear end with a full-width light bar create a silhouette that manages to look both muscular and refined. The SmartZone front module replaces the traditional grille with a panel housing radar, cameras, and sensors required for advanced driver assistance systems. The overall aesthetic is unmistakably Polestar: clean, modern, and Nordic in its restraint.

The chassis features double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension with electronically controlled air springs and active damping. The Performance variant adds Brembo six-piston front brake calipers (finished in the signature Polestar gold), a performance-tuned software calibration, and 22-inch forged alloy wheels. The driving experience prioritizes precision and feedback — Polestar has deliberately tuned the 3 to feel more driver-focused than the comfort-oriented Volvo EX90 with which it shares its platform.

Inside, the Polestar 3 continues the brand's commitment to sustainable luxury. The cabin features animal-free upholstery options using bio-attributed MicroTech materials, reconstructed wood trim panels, and a 14.5-inch portrait-orientation central display running Android Automotive OS with native Google services. A 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system is available, and the front seats feature ventilation, heating, and massage functions.

The Polestar 3 also features one of the most advanced autonomous driving hardware suites in the industry, with a Luminar LiDAR sensor integrated into the roofline and Nvidia Drive computing platform — though full autonomous capability will be enabled through over-the-air software updates. Standard safety equipment includes pilot assist (level 2+ semi-autonomous driving), 360-degree camera array, and a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety systems.

Manufacturing takes place both in Chengdu, China and at a new facility in Ridgeville, South Carolina, with US production ensuring favorable positioning under the Inflation Reduction Act's EV tax credit provisions. The Polestar 3 is the model that will determine whether Polestar can grow from a niche electric brand into a genuine competitor to the established luxury performance brands.