Upper-midsize sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are among the segments automakers put the most effort into. It is a market right before the jump to top-tier models, offering strong profitability and not-insignificant sales volume.
To succeed in this market, a model must deliver the space and practicality to serve as a "family car," while also boasting outstanding driving performance that showcases the brand's competitiveness. Porsche's Cayenne, Mercedes-Benz's GLE, and BMW's X5 are representative success stories in this segment.
Polestar, a Swedish electric vehicle brand, unveiled the Polestar 3 in Oct. 2022, throwing down the gauntlet in the fiercely competitive high-performance upper-midsize SUV market. Polestar introduced it as a model that applies air suspension (a suspension system that uses air pressure) for a comfortable ride while maximizing dynamic driving performance.
Roughly four years after its global debut, the Polestar 3 launched in Korea. We tested it on roads around Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and at Everland Speedway, and also checked its performance by taking part in gymkhana (a racing format where cars pass through a set course with obstacles as quickly and accurately as possible).
◇ Low center of gravity… high-speed stability and output on par with a sports car
The Polestar 3 is equipped with dual motors delivering a maximum output of 680 horsepower (hp) and peak torque of 89 ㎏f·m. The Polestar 3's uniquely brisk acceleration from these dual motors was so strong that, even considering an EV's characteristic of reaching maximum torque as soon as the motors start spinning, the curb weight approaching 2.5 tons (t) barely came to mind.
The lightly tuned accelerator pedal also helped improve the driving feel. At low speeds, the Polestar 3's accelerator pedal does not respond overly sensitively, but even a slightly deeper press brings speed in line with pedal input. On the track's 960-meter straight, it had no trouble exceeding 200 kph. The car accelerates from a standstill to 100 kph in 3.9 seconds.
The driving safety delivered by the dual-chamber air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel-drive system was also impressive. Even when entering corners at speeds over 100 kph, the vehicle felt like it was gripping the track without significant body roll or the sensation of being pushed outward. However, the car's weight was quite noticeable when accelerating out of corners.
It exited Everland Speedway's hairpin—nearly a 180-degree turn—quickly and smoothly like a sports car. Stability was maintained even through S-shaped high-speed corners, and the impacts transmitted when running over curbs were not severe.
Braking performance was as excellent as its dynamic capabilities. All Polestar 3 trims feature large four-piston Brembo brakes. The yellow calipers, which clamp nearly half the brake disc rotor, instantly hauled down the heavy body traveling at its top speed (230 kph) to enable corner entry.
In gymkhana, the slalom section between rubber cones confirmed the balance created by the Polestar 3's low center of gravity and near 50:50 weight distribution. Even without the seat's side bolsters (devices on either side of the backrest that hold the occupant's body) squeezing in, the car's inherent balance and air suspension kept the driver's body from leaning excessively.
A Polestar official said, "The Polestar 3 features electronically controlled air suspension to improve ride comfort, and it easily controls damper damping force to manage rolling in high-speed corners."
◇ Air suspension, ADAS, 25 speakers… fully capable as a family car
The Polestar 3's stable ride quality was also evident on public roads. When going over speed bumps or irregular surfaces, impacts and vibrations felt filtered once before reaching occupants. However, because the underbody is firmly tuned to emphasize a sporty feel, the air suspension still does not yield the ride comfort of a premium sedan.
The advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS), activated by lowering the column-type gear lever, operated smoothly. The Polestar 3's ADAS maintains lanes based on following distance at speeds up to 150 kph, and it responded flexibly even when other vehicles cut in suddenly at highway on-ramps.
The Polestar 3 offers a spacious cabin based on its 2,985 ㎜ wheelbase (the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels). With rear legroom reaching 770 ㎜, even an adult man seated in back had ample space—enough to fit two fists between knees and the front seat.
The vehicle measures 4,900 ㎜ in length and 1,970 ㎜ in width, while the height is set at 1,615 ㎜ for a sporty design and dynamics. Trunk capacity is a somewhat small 484 liters for an upper-midsize SUV, but expands to 1,411 liters with the rear seats folded.
The Polestar 3 includes a center speaker from Bowers & Wilkins, a British premium audio maker, and there are 10 speakers just for the driver's seat. The vehicle has 25 speakers overall, with output reaching 1,610 watts (W). However, it is seen as a drawback that the integrated infotainment system based on TMAP officially supports only FLO. FLO does not support Dolby Atmos, an advanced audio technology.
The interior is also designed to suit a premium EV, featuring a wood-trimmed dashboard and Nappa leather seats. The electrochromic glass applied to the roof offers an expansive sense of openness and a premium atmosphere, but although it can block light, it did not completely shut out intense solar heat at midday in summer. Even though this is an upper-midsize SUV serving as a family car, the rear seats felt notably firm.
The Polestar 3 launched in June and began taking orders last month. Polestar Korea said it set the domestic price at 77.9 million to 99.9 million won, the lowest level among major global markets. The full-option price for the top Performance trim is 105 million won, while in Sweden it reportedly sells for around 140 million won.
However, it is seen as regrettable that options considered essential for a family car are paid add-ons. The Plus Pack, which includes the Bowers & Wilkins audio system, costs 7 million won, and the Nappa upgrade option, which adds Nappa leather and ventilated front seats, costs 4.5 million won.
Polestar Korea will begin deliveries of the Polestar 3 in September and plans to release the Polestar 5 within the year. The Polestar 5 is a high-performance grand tourer model with a maximum output of 884 horsepower.