The 2026 Polestar 3 looks identical to its predecessor on the outside, but the mechanical picture is substantially different. The dual-motor setup now produces 536 brake horsepower, a 10 percent increase, bringing the 0 to 62 mph time down to 4.7 seconds and lifting the top speed to 140 mph. More practically, the move to 800V architecture raises the peak charging rate to 350 kW, getting the 106 kWh battery from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes. What Polestar removed matters as much as what it added: the previous long-range model, which offered 438 miles, has been discontinued. Maximum range on the updated car is 394 miles, which leaves a notable gap against the BMW iX3 and its 500-mile figure.
The 800V architecture brings benefits beyond charging speed. Higher-voltage systems typically allow for lighter cabling throughout the car, contributing to overall weight reduction. The dual-motor layout is also more rear-biased in power delivery than before, which changes the character of the car when pushing it through corners. Revised anti-roll bars and a new steering setup accompany those drivetrain changes. Against the BMW iX3, the Polestar 3 beats it in straight-line performance and matches it in real-world charging speeds: most UK ultra-rapid chargers currently top out at 350 kW, so the iX3's 400 kW capability can't be fully used in practice. The Polestar 3 also has a clear ride quality advantage from its dual-chamber air suspension, a feature the iX3 doesn't offer.
The infotainment looks unchanged but runs significantly faster, driven by a new Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processor that raises processing capacity from 30 trillion to 254 trillion operations per second. The 14.5-inch Android system retains climate controls within the touchscreen, which remains its most common criticism. Active safety systems now respond eight times faster than before, and the optional pilot pack adds motorway lane centering and an automatic lane-change function triggered via the indicator stalk. Rear-seat space is generous, with good headroom and legroom. Boot capacity is 484 litres, behind the iX3's 520, but the Polestar 3 includes a front storage compartment that handles charging cables neatly. Interior quality throughout is a consistent strength.
Bottom line: Losing the long-range variant will put some buyers off, and leaving the exterior unchanged was a missed opportunity. But the mechanical and technology improvements underneath are real, and the car is genuinely better to drive than what it replaced.