2023 Polestar 3 Overview: Swedish Sensation

The Polestar 3's exterior has been teased in short glimpses, and from what we've seen so far, it is quite a looker. From the side, the Polestar 3 has attractive wheels, flush-fitting door handles, a high-mounted rear spoiler, and a beltline that rises in the vicinity of the C-pillar.

The headlights appear to have a Thor's Hammer lighting signature, similar to the Polestar 2, but more expressive overall. The taillights protrude slightly from the bodywork, and in manufacturer-released footage, we see a solid light bar that stretches the width of the car, curving down into the taillight clusters in a C-shape. The gently sloping roofline at the back of the new Polestar 3 SUV is typical of modern crossovers.

We don't know what colors the 2023 Polestar 3 will be available in yet, but Polestar tends to shy away from bright colors. For example, the 2 sedan comes in white, black, and a range of greys, and press images of the 3 so far stick to these schemes, too.

Together with Volvo's upcoming flagship SUV, the Polestar 3 will ride on the electric-only SPA2 (Scalable Product Architecture) platform. Although the Polestar 3's dimensions aren't known, it's expected to be a midsize SUV as it will share its underpinnings with the electric successor to the Volvo XC90. We expect its length, width, and height to be similar. For reference, the current XC90 is around 195 inches long, 84.3 inches wide, and 69.9 inches tall. That being said, Polestar itself has described the 2023 3 SUV as a large luxury EV, so it may be even bigger than the figures here suggest with a hefty curb weight. The dual-motor Polestar 2 sedan weighs 4,650 lbs, while Volvo's XC90 Recharge tips the scales at around 5,100 lbs - we expect the Polestar 3 to be even heavier than latter.

The Polestar 3 will be powered by dual electric motors but details about outputs and 0-60 times remain unknown. With two motors, all-wheel drive is likely standard. Considering that the dual-motor Polestar 2 makes over 400 hp, we expect the Polestar 3 to be at least as powerful. Polestar confirmed a focus on performance and bringing sport elements to the forefront with this SUV, so expect impressive specs. We'll update this story as more information about the Polestar 3 is revealed, as it's also possible that a single-motor derivative will be available.

Information relating to battery packs and charging times remain under wraps at this stage. However, we do know a bit about what to expect from range. A target range of 600 km (around 373 miles) has been announced by Polestar based on the WLTP cycle. US-specific MPGe and range ratings must still be published; once this happens, we expect a range of closer to 300 miles for the Polestar 3 EV.

Not too much is known about the Polestar 3's interior at this point. We anticipate that the same minimalist approach to design inside will make it into the full-electric Polestar 3, along with a large vertically-oriented touchscreen interface. It could also draw inspiration from the Polestar Precept Concept pictured below. Like the Polestar 2, we expect that the Polestar 3's seats and other materials won't make use of any animal-derived products. Polestar makes use of Google Android Automotive OS software for its infotainment interface, and that should make its way into the 3 SUV as well. A large panoramic roof should give the cabin an airy ambiance, and the vehicle's size should make for a spacious second row.

Being Polestar, the list of standard and optional safety technologies will be a long one. Expect features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian/cyclist detection, road sign information, and steering assistance. The brand's Pilot Assist system takes over acceleration and braking duties at speeds of up to 80 mph in the Polestar 2, and is a likely addition to the 3, making long-distance travel in the electric SUV effortless. Polestar has also stated that autonomous highway piloting with LiDAR sensors will be offered on the 3, in due course.

The Polestar 3's trunk space should be better than its sedan sibling, but a final figure for its cargo space hasn't been shared yet.