Upgraded 2026 Polestar 3 detailed

The 2026 Polestar 3 electric SUV has been overhauled as part of a major mid-life update, gaining a host of hardware tweaks that promise to improve charging speeds and performance, but not every variant is better off.

More advanced 800V architecture will underpin the 2026 Polestar 3 when the updated large SUV range arrives mid-year, superseding the current 400V platform.

The entry-level rear-wheel drive (RWD) Polestar 3 will kick off the range from $116,700 before on-road costs, marking a $1720 saving compared to the model it replaces.

Catch is, the base variant now comes with a smaller 92kWh battery pack, compared to the previous model’s 111kWh unit. As a result, driving range drops from 650km (WLTP) to a lesser 604km, with an improved DC fast-charging rate of 310kW.

Meanwhile, a newly-developed rear electric motor – used in every variant – sees peak power rise to 245kW (up 25kW) but torque drops 10Nm to 480Nm. Even still, Polestar quotes an improved acceleration time of 6.5 seconds (0-100km/h) for the RWD P3, compared to 7.8 for the current model.

The Polestar 3 Dual motor meantime is priced from $131,100 (plus ORCs) – again, around $1000 cheaper than the model it replaces – but delivers 400kW/740Nm, which is slightly more power (+40kW) but significantly less torque (-100Nm).

Again, acceleration times have improved, with the mid-spec Dual motor’s 4.7 sec 0-100km/h dash matching the outgoing top-spec Performance model’s pace, while the upgraded Performance grade is almost a full second quicker, set to do the same in 3.9 sec.

That’s thanks to the range-topping Performance’s new 500kW/870Nm outputs – up a whopping 120kW but down 40Nm.

Unlike the RWD P3, a slightly smaller 106kWh battery pack (previously 111kWh) fitted to dual-motor variants increases claimed driving range, with the P3 Dual Motor claimed to cover up to 635km on a full charge, and up to 593km for the Performance.

Importantly, charging speeds for dual-motor variants have also improved, now able to charge at a maximum DC rate of 350kW (previously 250kW), with charging from 20 to 80 per cent said to take 22 minutes.

Other updates include a new front motor disconnect function for dual-motor variants, enabling the front e-motor to disconnect when cruising to aid efficiency.

Steering is also said to have been refined thanks to updated anti-roll bars and software enhancements, while inside, a new processor is said to deliver eight times faster processing power, improving battery performance, active safety systems and more.

The processor will be retrofitted to current Polestar 3 vehicles free of charge, a process the brand says is already underway.

Outside, very little has changed, save for the addition of two exterior colours (Storm and Krypton) and an electrochromic glass roof.

A Climate pack can be added for $1200, bringing a heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats and heated front wiper blades, while Pilot and Plus packs will come fitted standard, bringing a 360-degree camera, power-adjust steering column, premium Bowers & Wilkins sound system with active road noise cancellation and more.

The 2026 Polestar 3 electric SUV is now available to order and is due in local showrooms mid-2026.

How much does the Polestar 3 cost?
Polestar 3 Rear motor – $116,700
Polestar 3 Dual motor – $131,100
Polestar 3 Performance – $146,700
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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