The 2023 Polestar 3 is a crucial product for Volvo’s younger sibling brand. Being a crossover, it has broader appeal than the Polestar 2 especially with the added utility offered by the hatch. Further making the Polestar 3 an important vehicle is that it will be underpinned by Volvo Car Group’s new platform dedicated specifically for battery-electric vehicles, which will eventually underpin every Volvo and Polestar model. The Polestar 3 is just the start for the young Swedish brand and here’s what we know so far.
2023 Polestar 3 exterior
The 2023 Polestar 3 will split from Volvo in terms of design. However, it’ll still retain many of the key themes that made its sibling so recognizable in recent years. Unlike the Polestar 2, which is essentially the Volvo 40.2 Concept, the 3 will take cues from the Precept, a show car introduced in 2020. That means it’ll reinterpret the Volvo design signature with its unique twist to keep the family lineage while remaining distinct. Some of those key aspects include the split Thor’s Hammer LED headlights and full-width LED taillights. You’ll find a unique face, too, one without the ribbon and Volvo’s iron mark, giving Polestar its unique look. Based on the sole teaser released, the Polestar 3 is a low-slung crossover with a coupe-like roofline to distinguish it from its platform mate, the successor to the Volvo XC90. In typical EV style, it’ll likely look more like a large hatchback.
2023 Polestar 3 interior
In line with its Swedish heritage, the Polestar 3’s interior will have clean lines and a minimalist look. That means you’ll find two displays on the dash as the most dominant features. You’ll likely still see buttons and knobs but there will only be a few of them just like in the Polestar 2. Expect Polestar to make extensive use of sustainable materials on the 3, which should give it plenty of eco-friendly credentials.
The flat floor afforded by an EV-specific platform should make the Polestar 3 incredibly spacious. Passenger capacity to max out at five since the crossover will likely be aimed at the likes of the Audi e-tron Sportback and Jaguar I-Pace. Polestar could also add clever storage solutions to make the most out of the interior space. That means you might find reclining and sliding rear seats and a reconfigurable center console along.
2023 Polestar 3 tech features
The Polestar 3 will be one of the first vehicles to use the Volvocars.OS operating system, which includes the latest version of Android Automotive. This gives the car built-in Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the ability to download apps via the Play Store directly into the vehicle’s infotainment system. A larger 15.5-inch touch screen should house most of the functions while a digital gauge cluster shows important information in front of the driver. Polestar could also offer a head-up display option, too. Expect a fantastic listening experience in the Polestar 3 because it’ll likely get the same Harman Kardon audio system as standard equipment. If that’s not enough for you, likely, the fantastic Bowers & Wilkins system will also be offered as an option.
Volvo Car Group is one of the leaders in driver assistance and safety technology so it’s no surprise that the Polestar 3 will have the company’s latest and greatest in that area. Working together with Luminar, Polestar’s upcoming crossover will be one of the first vehicles under the Volvo Group umbrella to feature LIDAR, meaning it’ll be ready for autonomous driving. The usual suite of active safety tech including Pilot Assist, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and large animal detection should also be part of the equation.
2023 Polestar 3 powertrain and platforms
Polestar will be the first brand to use Volvo Group’s next-generation batteries, which should offer superior energy density versus the existing ones. The size should remain in the 80-kWh ballpark or larger, which should give the Polestar 3 generous range on a single charge. Single- and dual-motor flavors will likely be available with the latter offering similar or more power than the Polestar 2, which already has 408 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque in dual-motor guise. Expect the range to hit the 300-mile mark per charge in the single-motor version. Dual-motor cars should have less range in exchange for more power.
As with most new EVs, the Polestar 3’s charging capabilities should be much better. This means it’ll be able to DC charge at higher rates, shortening the time you get to 80 percent. However, there’s no word on how quickly the crossover will charge. Porsche and Hyundai Motor Group have thrown down the gauntlet with their blended 400- and 800-volt charging systems enabling their latest and upcoming EVs to go from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes or less depending on the battery size. The Polestar 3 will also get bidirectional charging capability, allowing owners to use it as a power source to run household appliances. An onboard AC charger should also be on standard and will likely be an 11-kW unit.
The new SPA2 platform’s low center of gravity should help the Polestar 3 drive well. Seeing that Polestar is Volvo’s sportier sibling, expect the 3 to have a more performance-oriented character. It could also get adjustable dampers and air suspension, meaning this will likely be the first Polestar model to not use the Öhlins units that you have to adjust manually.
2023 Polestar 3 pricing
Pricing for the 2023 Polestar could start in the $45,000 to $50,000 ballpark. Considering that it’ll be built in the U.S. and is likely a compact crossover positioned to compete with the likes of the Audi Q4 e-tron, the Polestar 3 needs to be priced competitively. The single-motor version will be the most affordable one. Expect the dual-motor variant to cost more but it’ll likely get more standard equipment to make up for the added expense.
2023 Polestar 3 summary
The 2023 Polestar 3 is crucial for the brand’s growth in the global market. It’s especially important in the U.S. because this crossover will expand Polestar’s appeal to more consumers. The fact that Polestar will make the 3 at Volvo’s South Carolina facility shows its commitment to global production and the North American market. With the Polestar 3’s potential to become the brand’s volume product, a lot is riding on this crossover meaning the room for error is low. We can’t wait to get our hands on the Polestar 3 and see the first fruits of Volvo Car Group’s commitment toward electrification.
