Polestar 3 first drive: This all-electric SUV is masterfully tuned and sneaky fast
The Polestar 3 has long been promised to be the first true branded BEV from the Volvo- and Geely-owned automaker, and it has a lot riding on its success. After taking a trip out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to test drive both variants of the Polestar 3, I think this SUV is something pretty special inside and out.
Table of contents
A quick background on the Polestar 3 SUV
The Polestar 3 is a new SUV from the EV brand that is majority-owned by China’s Geely Holding. It was initially announced in October 2022. In addition to being the first SUV from Polestar ($PSNY), it will also be the first model built on US soil in South Carolina.
The SUV was initially scheduled to launch in Q4 2023, but Polestar delayed its arrival to Q1 2024, citing the need for more time to develop the software used in its platform shared with Volvo Cars and the EX90.
In February, however, Volvo announced it would sell most of its stake in Polestar. Regardless, the brand has pushed ahead in China with Geely as initial production began overseas that same month.
The first deliveries of the all-electric SUV began in late June before the US builds commenced last month. My trip was a rare instance of test-driving an EV for the first time that’s already on the market, but I have been giddy about the opportunity to do so nonetheless and share my thoughts with you, so let’s dig in.
Specs of the first two Polestar 3 variants
At its initial US launch, the Polestar 3 SUV arrived in two dual-motor variants, including a Long Range version we referred to as the “basic” model during the drives and a Long Range 3 with Polestar’s Performance Pack, offering more horsepower and acceleration (plus sweet gold seatbelts you can peep below).
Polestar has since shared plans for a third, more affordable SUV variant, complete with a single RWD powertrain. However, that’s not coming to North America until later this year, so we will focus on the two versions I drove. Here’s how the specs stack up:
| Polestar 3 Variant | Long Range Dual Motor | Long Range Dual Motor +Performance Pack |
| Powertrain | Dual Motor | Dual Motor |
| Power | 489 hp | 517 hp |
| Torque | 620 lb-ft | 671 lb-ft |
| Acceleration (0-60 mph) |
4.8 seconds | 4.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph |
| Battery Size (NMC) | 111 kWh (nominal) / 107 kWh (usable) |
111 kWh (nominal) / 107 kWh (usable) |
| Energy Consumption (EPA) | 38.9 kWh/ 100 miles | 43.2 kWh/ 100 miles |
| Range (EPA) | Up to 315 miles | Up to 279 miles |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.29 Cd | 0.29 Cd |
| AC Charging | Up to 11 kW (0-100% in 11 hours) |
Up to 11 kW (0-100% in 11 hours) |
| DC Charging | Up to 250 kW (10-80% in 30 mins) |
Up to 250 kW (10-80% in 30 mins) |
On paper, the Polestar 3’s specs are more than adequate but by no means blow you away. However, if you’ve ever driven the Polestar 2 BST or the RWD version, you can understand that these EVs are simply built differently and drive better than most vehicles out there today.
That’s partly due to Polestar’s mechanical engineer Christian Samson and his team at the design center in Gothenburg, who have once again put their tuning expertise into Polestar’s latest model. The result is noticeable but also quite unmatched. Here are my thoughts.
This SUV is amazing, even without the Performance Pack
During my day of driving up and around Wyoming and through Idaho, I took in some beautiful vistas around the Tetons despite the rain (and a little bit of snow). During that trek, I got time behind the wheel of both Launch Editions of the Polestar 3 SUV, including the Dual Motor version, which includes Polestar’s Plus and Pilot Packs (in the “Snow” exterior seen above), as well as the Performance Pack Version in “Thunder” down below.
My first impression, and something I’ll probably revisit several times as you read on, is how smooth of a ride this SUV delivers. As the Polestar team shared with us during a presentation before, the drive, handling, steering, and performance are at the core of its product identity, alongside other important factors such as range, efficiency, sustainability, U/X, and ADAS.
The design team put a lot of effort into the abundant and refined body control in the Polestar 3 SUV to deliver a playful but balanced ride it hopes will propel the young(ish) brand to status as the first choice for proper drivers due to its precision and distinct road contact.
After driving both these variants, I have to say Polestar knocked it out of the park. I don’t know if I’ve experienced a ride as smooth and as comfortable as the 3, whether I was behind the wheel or riding shotgun with my driving partner.
If you’ve read about my drive experiences in the past, you’ll know I’m a stickler for regen and love one-pedal driving, and the Polestar 3 is some of the best I’ve encountered to date. It’s perfectly calibrated and stiff as hell when you want it to be, yet its deceleration is so utterly smooth that you are never jerked forward. This is what one-pedal driving should be—Chef’s kiss.
I was a massive fan of the small driver’s display above the steering wheel. It remained in clear sight and perfectly displayed all the pertinent information right where I needed it and is a perfect example of Polestar’s nod to its Scandinavian roots with a minimalist yet functional design approach.
On the way back in the Polestar 3 with the Performance Pack, we encountered one software error in which the driver display malfunctioned (see error message below). The vehicle kept working perfectly, including Pilot Assist ADAS, although there were no indications it was on. Other metrics like speed went dark as well. The HUD still projected but didn’t show any information.
Once I pulled over and turned the SUV off (which required a quick Google search since this model doesn’t have a start/stop button), I could restart it, and everything booted up just fine. It was a minor bug with a quick solution, but it is worth mentioning.
I also found the HUD to be completely adequate during my drive time. It was nothing special as it only displays the speed limit and your current speed, but it was easy to see, even through all the elements outside.
Another feature I enjoyed was the 25-speaker system with Dolby Atmos from Bowers & Wilkins, which comes with the Plus Pack upgrade. The sound quality was incredible, and you can switch between different simulated environments, including “Stage” and “Room.” Dark Side of the Moon never sounded better.
While the Polestar 3’s acceleration specs may not blow you away on paper, don’t get it twisted; this SUV is sneaky fast. Again, I have to give credit to how well the EVs have been tuned because you can not only easily overtake a car whenever you want, but you also feel in complete control the entire time and always have an excellent feel for where the front wheels are.
I don’t want to incriminate myself here, but on the empty country roads in Wyoming, my driving partner and I were able to get the Polestar 3’s speed well into the triple digits, sometimes without even noticing. I experienced this sensation as both a passenger and a driver – you can easily be going 118 mph, and it feels as smooth and calm as if you were going 55 mph. It’s unreal.
The overall aesthetic of the Polestar 3 SUV is one of cleanliness and quality. The textiles, many of which are recycled materials, are comfortable and bring an feeling of premium quality to the vehicle. I preferred the interior of then Performance Pack version personally, but when it’s all said and done, I think the regular olf Dual Motor version is where it’s at
Final thoughts, pricing, and availability of the Polestar 3
Overall, I was quite impressed with the Polestar 3 and highly recommend taking the SUV for a test drive yourself to truly understand what I’m talking about when I describe how well it has been tuned. While I thoroughly enjoyed both variants, I personally would opt for the Launch Edition Dual Motor version with the Plus and Pilot Packs.
The Performance Pack does offer some extra oomph, but I don’t think it’s significant enough to herald the higher price tag unless you just have to have those gold seatbelts (understandable).
The Launch Edition Polestar 3 starts at an MSRP of $73,400 and costs $79,400 with the Performance Pack. Both options are on sale now, and if you buy one, you should get one of the early Polestar SUVs built here in the US.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
A judge has officially approved a settlement in a case brought by Tesla shareholders against board members who will now have to return stock, cash, and give up on stock options worth a total of nearly $1 billion.
Let me start this article with a quote from Tesla CEO Elon Musk:
Tesla will never settle a case where we’re in the right, and never contest a case where we’re in the wrong.
Today, Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick approved a settlement agreement between Tesla and all its board members from 2017 to 2020 and the Police and Fire Retirement System of the City of Detroit on behalf of Tesla shareholders over what the shareholders believed to be excessive compensation.
The agreement was first reported in July 2023, but it is only now being officially approved and we learn a few more details.
Shareholders believed that members of Tesla’s board were compensating themselves excessively with hundreds of millions of dollars between 2017 and 2020 when the average compensation of a board member of a S&P500 company is just north of $300,000.
Under the settlement, the board members agree to return to Tesla $277 million in cash, $459 million in stock options and to forgo $184 million worth of stock options awarded for 2021-2023.
That adds up to nearly $1 billion.
The board members include Kimbal Musk, Elon’s brother, Brad Buss, Ira Ehrenpreis, Antonio Gracias, Stephen Jurvetson, all close friends of Elon Musk and people who have financial dealings with Musk outside of Tesla, Linda Johnson Rice, Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, Hiromichi Mizuno and Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle Corp and also a close friend of Musk.
As part of the settlement, Tesla or the board does not admit to any wrongdoing.
Musk didn’t take compensation as part of the board, but he is embroiled in a similar case over his own $55 billion CEO compensation package, which was rescinded by the same judge after she found that it wasn’t negotiated or presented to shareholders in good faith.
The board members who received this “excessive compensation” also happened to be the one who “negotiated” Musk’s CEO compensation package.
The case is heading to the Delaware Supreme Court, as reported earlier today.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Environment
Nissan’s Ariya electric SUV takes on the extreme weather in its new test chamber [Video]
![Nissan's Ariya electric SUV takes on the extreme weather in its new test chamber [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/Nissan-first-Tesla-NACS-Japan.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Despite how cold it may feel outside, Nissan’s electric SUV has likely been through colder. Nissan is proving its Ariya SUV can handle the extreme weather at its unique new test chamber at its tech center near Detroit. With temperatures ranging from -40 to 176 °F, the Ariya is being pushed to see what it’s made of.
Nissan launched the Ariya, its first electric SUV, in the US in late 2022. Over 13,400 Ariya models were sold in the US in its first sales year, with another nearly 20,000 handed over in 2024.
A few weeks ago, Nissan introduced the 2025 Ariya, starting at just $39,770. It has two battery options, 66 or 91 kWh, good for 216 and 289 miles range. That’s for the FWD models.
You can opt for Nissan’s e-4ORCE AWD dual-motor system for “thrilling acceleration” with up to 389 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. However, with the added power, you sacrifice some range. The AWD Ariya gets up to 272 miles range.
With many parts of the country seeing frigid temperatures, Nissan says its “Ariya is very well equipped” to combat freezing weather.
The electric SUV was already the first vehicle (EV or gas-powered) to drive from the North to the South Pole in 2023. Now, it’s being put through the paces at Nissan’s tech center outside of Detroit.
It’s currently around 23 °F in Detroit, with a low of 11 °F, but Nissan says it’s even colder in its unique new test chamber. The chamber is located at the Nissan Technical Center North America campus, just outside Detroit.
Nissan Ariya handles cold weather tests in new chamber
“Our chambers are capable of temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 176 degrees Fahrenheit,” Jeff Tessmer, senior manager of Zero Emission Vehicles at Nissan’s tech center, explained.
Nissan tests the Ariya in a test chamber with “far more extreme” temperatures than the typical driver will see. Tessmer said, “We want to test the worst-case scenario so that our customers will still get the same performance in a wide variety of weather conditions.”
One of the biggest goals is to prove the electric SUV’s battery can maintain charge levels even in extreme weather.
Nissan puts it through “cold soak” tests to ensure performance. During a 24-hour cold soak, the Ariya was parked in -4 °F weather with a 17% battery charge. It also wasn’t plugged in or using its battery heater. After the team returned the next day, the electric SUV still had a 17% charge and started up immediately.
The Ariya is equipped with a battery heater that drivers can turn on ahead of time to ensure optimal performance. On hot days, it includes a liquid-cooled system to regulate battery temperatures.
Drivers can also use the MYNISSAN app to pre-warm the cabin, check the interior temperature, and schedule charging times. Ansu Jammeh, an engineer on Nissan’s Zero Emissions Engineering team, said the best time to use the heating feature is “when the vehicle is plugged in so that it uses power from the grid instead of the vehicle.”
| 2025 Nissan Ariya trim | Battery (kWh) |
Starting Prices* (MSRP) | Range (miles) |
| Engage FWD | 66 | $39,770 | 216 |
| Engage e-4ORCE | 66 | $43,770 | 205 |
| Evolve + FWD | 91 | $44,370 | 289 |
| Engage + e-4ORCE | 91 | $45,370 | 272 |
| Evolve + e-4ORCE | 91 | $48,370 | 272 |
| Platinum + e-4ORCE | 91 | $54,370 | 267 |
Nissan added a new wireless charging pad across all 2025 Ariya models. The inside features Nissan’s Advanced Drive-Assist setup with dual 12.3″ infotainment and driver display screens formed in a “wave-like” shape.
Other standard features of the 2025 model include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a Head-up display, and a Virtual Personal Assistant. It also includes Nissan’s ProPilot Assist for assisted driving.
Are you ready to check out Nissan’s electric SUV for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use our link to find Nissan Ariya models at the best price in your area today.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Florida’s Rice Creek Solar Energy Center is now online, delivering nearly 75 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity to 12 cities across the state. The solar farm is part of the Florida Municipal Solar Project, one of the largest municipal solar initiatives in the US.
Located in Putnam County, near Palatka, the Rice Creek site is covered with 213,000 solar panels that generate enough power for around 14,000 homes. This marks the third solar site in the Florida Municipal Solar Project, with more on the way.
Twelve utilities are tapping into the clean energy from Rice Creek, including Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Homestead, Keys Energy Services in Key West, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Lake Worth Beach, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach Utilities, Newberry, Ocala, Town of Havana, and Winter Park. This is the first solar power project for Havana, New Smyrna Beach, and Newberry.
Jacob Williams, the general manager of the Florida Municipal Power Agency, explained, “By working together, our members and their communities benefit from additional solar-powered energy that’s both cost-effective and carbon-free.”
The FMPA, based in Orlando, coordinates the project, while the 12 municipal utilities – who are also FMPA’s member-owners – purchase the power. Miami-based Origis Energy is the builder, owner, and operator of Rice Creek. According to Origis Energy’s Josh Teigiser, “We are honored to support this FMPA work. Long-term agreements for solar generation, including for Rice Creek Solar, provide a stable rate base contributing to lower and more predictable customers’ bills.”
Construction is already underway on a fourth Florida solar farm, Whistling Duck Solar, in Levy County. The Florida Municipal Solar Project is expected to grow to seven sites in the next few years and will generate a total of around 525 MW of clean energy.
Read more: Ohio’s largest solar farm just came online
To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway