Yup, another car with a 3 in its name joins the garage. This time, it’s the 2025 Polestar 3. I know, you’re thinking it’s one model year old already. Unfortunately, the U.S. isn’t getting a 2026 model like Europe. According to rumors, the 3 will get all of those changes and effectively become a 2027 model sometime this calendar year. So yes, that’s a long way of saying this is the only way to get a Polestar 3…for now.
This isn’t our first rodeo with Polestar. We leased a 2021 Polestar 2 for three years and enjoyed the heck out of it. That also means high expectations for its larger, more expensive sibling. Having said that, we picked up the 3 because we wanted to experience living with a Volvo wagon. However, since Volvo only has mild hybrid wagons left, we turned to Polestar for the closest equivalent to a modern, all-electric take on XC70 and Cross Country models.
Enter the 2025 Polestar 3. A lifted wagon masquerading as a midsize two-row SUV. Think of this car as a sportier, more athletic take on the lifted wagon. A sleek, long-roofed car with enough ground clearance for snow, fire roads, and light trails. This car fit the bill to the T, but will it impress us? We’ve got 27 months to find out.
2025 Polestar 3: What We Got
For this lease, we leveraged our experience with the Polestar 2 in the way we configured our 3. As a result, we omitted the Performance pack, which added slightly more power and torque, sticky Pirelli P Zero summer tires, and Swedish gold accents. The other reason we didn’t choose it? Its tires reduced the EPA driving range rating to 279 miles. We wanted something with over 300 miles. As a result, we chose a dual-motor AWD model with 21-inch wheels, giving us 315 miles of driving range according to the EPA. If you want more, the single-motor RWD model has up to 350 miles of driving range, depending on the alloy wheel you choose.
Dual-motor Polestar 3s come standard with the Pilot pack. That includes a surround-view camera, lane change assist, and the Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driver assistance system. We also added the Plus pack, which includes the Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system, heated rear seats, a head-up display, and more. Additionally, we got the Zinc Nappa leather upholstery, which adds ventilation and massage functions for the front seats.
Together with the Midnight exterior color and the 21-inch Plus alloy wheels, which cost $1,300 and $1,200 respectively, our car costs $88,300. Obviously, we didn’t pay that thanks to some seriously good leasing incentives from Polestar. That included an $18,000 lease cash plus loyalty and one other bonus that softened the blow significantly.
So Far, So Good
Initial impressions are positive so far. The Polestar 3 drives like a proper luxury car, supremely quiet and incredibly refined. It also has plenty of space, easily fitting four people and their gear thanks to its roomy cabin. Impeccable fit and finish make the interior feel properly upscale, while its minimalist Scandinavian design gives it a simple, yet elegant ambiance.
As for the driving experience, this car is a true joy. It cruises effortlessly on the highway, handily absorbing road imperfections and eating up the miles. With 489 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque, the Polestar 3 has prodigious power and never feels lacking despite weighing nearly three tons. In typical Polestar fashion, sharp yet light steering makes this SUV feel smaller on the road. Agile, responsive handling and nonexistent body roll add to this sensation. Meanwhile, the torque vectoring rear motor gives the Polestar 3 a lively feel. It allows the rear end to rotate naturally, especially in sport mode, where the car has a more playful personality.
We’re looking forward to the rest of our time with the 2025 Polestar 3. We’ll see all the good and bad, the interesting and frustrating. Most importantly, we get to see if the software, which it shares with the closely related Volvo EX90, is as horrific as it’s made to be. So stay tuned!
