The long-awaited SUV is finally here, and it’s good

Few manufacturers have wanted a automobile as badly as Polestar wants the Polestar 3. The Polestar 1 was cool in an entirely irrational and impractical method, extra of a press release of intent than a viable product. The Polestar 2 was a way more critical market proposition and a legitimately nice automobile. However a tall, sporty sedan was by no means going to be greater than a distinct segment contender. It definitely wasn’t one thing to construct a model upon.

The Polestar 3 was meant to be the factor that might actually open doorways — a mass-market machine to fill the wants and desires of consumers in search of an all-electric SUV with correct dimensions, avant-garde styling and vivid yellow seatbelts. However it was supposed to be here in 2023. Now, because the clock begins to wind down on 2024, it is lastly arriving at dealerships.

The excellent news is that it is nice. However is it nice sufficient?

The Polestar 3 will be cynically regarded as the five-passenger taste of Volvo’s three-row EX90. The EX90 has likewise had a troubled gestation. It’s virtually a fraternal twin to the Polestar, equally twisted up in a mire of software program delays, then additional difficult by an evolving set of worldwide tariffs concentrating on Chinese language-built EVs.

The Polestar 3 shares the identical platform, motors, primary structure and expertise because the Volvo. Its specs are, due to this fact, fairly related: The EX90 makes 402 horsepower and 568 foot-pounds of torque on the bottom mannequin, stepping as much as 510 hp and 671 lb-ft of torque within the Twin Motor Efficiency trim.The Polestar 3, in the meantime, makes 489 hp and 620 lb-ft within the base, Lengthy Vary Twin Motor model, or 517 hp and 671 lb-ft if you add on the Efficiency Pack. Whereas the Polestar 3’s base has significantly extra shove, on the top-shelf taste, they’re principally neck-and-neck.

The pricing is considerably totally different, although. The place the EX90 begins at $79,995 for a base Plus and goes as much as $84,345 for the Plus trim with the Efficiency choice, the Polestar 3 begins at $73,400 for the bottom Lengthy vary Twin motor mannequin. If you issue within the Efficiency pack, that brings the beginning value as much as $79,400. You too can add on a number of upgrades, together with the Plus pack with a Dolby Atmos sound system from Bowers & Wilkins for $5,000.

I drove each fashions, beginning with a non-Efficiency Launch Version, which incorporates the Pilot and Plus choices packages, all of the energetic security goodies and plenty of different life-style options. Add on $2,300 for 22-inch wheels, and that SUV got here to $82,800 after a $1,400 vacation spot cost.

The Efficiency mannequin that I drove had but extra choices, together with $1,300 for the metallic Thunder paint (an evocative identify for darkish grey). With a whopping $5,500 for the ventilated Nappa leather-based, the worth goes as much as $93,100 after the $1,400 vacation spot cost.

Why the worth distinction for principally the identical automobile because the Volvo? The first distinction is the Luminar Lidar pod on the roof of each EX90. That’ll be an choice on the Polestar 3 for many who actually need to spend $5,000 extra. Its absence makes for a substantial value discount regardless of having no loss in quick performance. On the Volvo, that sensor will not even be switched on till someday subsequent 12 months, and who is aware of when it will really begin feeding into the protection system.

Even with out the Lidar, the Polestar 3 has a complete set of sensors, together with a 360-degree digicam, ultrasonic sensors for parking and even energetic driver monitoring. The Pilot bundle, which comes normal, does a pleasant job of conserving the car centered on roads of all types. It additionally consists of energetic driver monitoring to make sure you keep targeted on the street forward and never the fantastic thing about the Grand Tetons, which regularly distracted me on my day behind the wheel of this new SUV.

The in-car expertise is dominated by a 14.5-inch portrait touchscreen in the course of the sprint. The appear and feel is sort of just like the present Polestar expertise however with refreshed visuals and extra complete performance. Because of Android Automotive, you’ve got issues like Google Maps, YouTube Music and Google Assistant baked proper into the automobile. For the Android trustworthy, it is a boon. One sign-in means you’ve got every part out of your tackle guide to your responsible pleasure music playlists at your fingertips, even for those who forgot your cellphone in your workplace.

The UI refinements are delicate however welcome, making it simpler to get to widespread controls, like growing brake regen or biking the heated and ventilated seats. There’s additionally a small gauge cluster behind the wheel, which has a number of totally different views, and fortunately now features a correct navigation view. If that is not sufficient, a heads-up show is normal on the launch version.

That is, once more, all fairly just like the EX90. Probably the most vital distinction between the 2 is the look. Whereas the Volvo has a clear and recent exterior, which is a sturdy new face for the model, its stately air will not resonate with all people. The Polestar 3 is far more aggressive, from the cheeky wing on the hood to the pronounced fenders on the rear. Regardless of being roughly the identical dimension, it appears to be like much more svelte and affords a good bit extra character than the Volvo.

The Polestar 3 additionally feels a lot roomier inside. That is the good thing about shifting from three rows to 2. Clearly, it will not do you a lot good if it’s worthwhile to haul greater than 5 individuals, but when your shuttling duties are much less demanding, the Polestar 3 affords extra commodious seating.

It is also barely extra participating to drive. Whereas the throttle curve is surprisingly relaxed, requiring a deep software of the go pedal to get the automobile going, when you get in there the SUV leaps ahead. The steering is splendidly sharp, if a bit numb, paired with participating dealing with for a machine of this stature.

I’ve to say, although, that I did not discover the additional horsepower and torque of the Efficiency mannequin significantly compelling. It undoubtedly accelerates extra shortly, however each fashions run out of steam at increased speeds, surging ahead after which falling a bit flat. It was fast and enjoyable when zipping by way of visitors although, or benefiting from brief passing zones.

The Polestar 3 is simply nearly as good at cruising calmly. It is quiet and clean at velocity, offering an awesome sound stage for the non-compulsory 25-speaker, 1,610-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system with Dolby Atmos. The entrance seats are supportive but comfy. Heating and air flow are nice, and the flexibility to allow each concurrently is a uncommon deal with, giving a bit extra depth to the heat. The heated steering wheel can be fairly toasty, however annoyingly, it isn’t a normal function. It is a part of the Plus pack.

Fortunately, a warmth pump is normal fare, one thing that ought to assist this SUV ship higher vary in chilly climate. In ultimate circumstances, the Polestar 3 will do as much as 315 miles on a cost, per the EPA, out of its 111-kilowatt-hour (107 usable) battery.

Like on my first drive of the EX90, I did expertise a number of software program glitches right here. Early on within the drive, the Polestar 3 mentioned it couldn’t detect my fingers regardless of them undoubtedly being on the steering wheel. Fortunately, that difficulty righted itself shortly, however later within the day we acquired one other, extra troubling warning: “Driver help system fault. Ebook a service.” That alert, too, disappeared a second later.

As with the Volvo, I am positive these points can be mounted briefly order. They’d higher be, no less than, as a result of the primary Polestar 3 SUVs are hitting dealerships any day now. The primary cargo was in-built China, however future fashions will come from Volvo’s manufacturing facility close to Charleston, South Carolina, the place they will share a line with the EX90.

Which is the higher of the 2 SUVs? It actually comes right down to what number of seats you want and whether or not you are prepared to spend extra for a Lidar sensor which may, sometime, present extra superior driver help performance. Each fashions are shaping as much as be stable SUVs, and that is good news for Polestar. It desperately wanted this automobile to be nice, and minus these few software program glitches, it’s.