[On the Track, a 'Racing Instinct'; On the Road, a 'Family SUV'... Polestar 3 Test Drive]

Capturing Both Powerful Performance and Comfortable Ride
Spacious Interior in a Low and Wide Body

Polestar, originally Volvo’s high-performance brand, has recorded cumulative sales of 10,000 vehicles in Korea just five years after entering the market. This achievement is notable as it was attained with only two models: the Polestar 2 and Polestar 4. As a result, Polestar is widely recognized for its rapid success in the Korean market.

The flagship sports utility vehicle (SUV) that will drive Polestar’s next phase of growth, the Polestar 3, was launched last month. As it is a new model debuting after two years, expectations are high. Particularly, the Polestar 3 is targeting the Korean market with a lower price point compared to Europe. On August 12, the vehicle was taken for a test drive both on the track and regular roads at Yongin Speedway.

Polestar 3 passing through an obstacle course at Yongin Speedway on the 12th. Polestar Korea

At first glance, the Polestar 3 (4900x1968x1627 mm) might not seem as large as expected. In terms of dimensions, it sits between the Genesis GV80 (4940x1975x1715 mm) and the Santa Fe (4830x1900x1720 mm) in the Korean market. Its low and wide body design makes the vehicle appear less bulky. As is typical with electric vehicles, its long wheelbase (2985 mm) provides a generous amount of cabin space.

When driven on the track, the advantages of the low and wide body stood out. The sensation of the car hugging the road made it feel nothing like a traditional SUV. The sports car-like roofline and broad stance work together to suppress the rolling movement of the body during cornering. In addition, the dual-chamber air suspension, which analyzes road conditions 500 times per second, helps reduce vibrations, allowing the car to shoot through corners more swiftly.

The Polestar 3 is built on Geely Group’s dedicated electric SPA2 platform, which is also used for Volvo’s recently launched ES90 and EX90 models.

However, true to its performance brand status, it boasts seriously powerful driving capabilities. The all-wheel-drive dual motor delivers a maximum output of 544 horsepower and 740 Nm of torque, enabling the vehicle to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.

Polestar 3 running on the track at Yongin Speedway on the 12th. Polestar Korea

Polestar 3 driving on the track at Yongin Speedway on the 12th. Polestar Korea

The Performance trim experienced on this day delivered an impressive 680 horsepower and 870 Nm of torque, with a 0-to-100 km/h time of just 3.9 seconds. The vehicle remained agile not only on straight stretches but also when exiting corners.

Stopping power is just as important as acceleration, and all Polestar 3 trims come standard with four-piston Brembo brakes. This Italian brake system is well-known and used in motorsports and supercars. With ventilated discs and aluminum front calipers, the braking system excels in heat dissipation and stopping force. The car never felt unstable when reducing speed before corners.

On regular roads, the Polestar 3 presented a completely different character from its track performance. At around 50 km/h, it neither swayed like a typical large SUV nor felt uncomfortably stiff, instead offering a smooth ride. The spacious interior seemed more than adequate for a family of four to travel in comfort.

Polestar 3. Polestar Korea

Polestar 3. Polestar Korea

The vehicle’s infotainment system, tailored specifically for the Korean market and based on T Map, also caught attention. Additionally, it features a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, incorporating sound engineering from the world-renowned Abbey Road Studios to deliver studio-quality audio within the car.

The Polestar 3 is priced starting at 77.9 million won for the rear motor model, 85.9 million won for the dual motor version, and 99.9 million won for the Performance model. Considering the Volvo EX90, which shares the same platform and battery, starts at 100 million won (for the 7-seater version), the Polestar 3’s pricing is quite attractive.

However, the absence of physical buttons means even basic functions such as vehicle controls and seat adjustments must be done via the touchscreen, which may be inconvenient for some. Nevertheless, for those who place a premium on sporty performance or desire a luxurious electric vehicle, the Polestar 3 offers a pleasing dilemma of choices.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.