Get ready for a thrilling ride with the 2026 Polestar 3, an electric SUV that's about to shake up the market!
The Electric Revolution Continues
The updated 2026 Polestar 3 has arrived in Australia, bringing with it a host of exciting changes and a price cut that's sure to turn heads. With a starting price of $116,700 before on-road costs, this electric SUV is making a bold statement.
Under the Skin: A Powerful Transformation
But here's where it gets controversial... or rather, technically impressive! Polestar has switched to an 800-volt electrical architecture, a significant upgrade from the previous 400-volt system. This change allows for super-fast direct-current charging, reaching a peak of 350 kilowatts, a massive improvement over the outgoing model's 250 kilowatts. Polestar claims this will reduce charging times by over 25%, which is a game-changer for electric vehicle owners.
The battery sizes have also seen an update, with the rear-wheel drive model now sporting a 92kWh unit, and the all-wheel drive variants boasting a 106kWh battery. And the electric motors? They're newly developed, with the dual-motor all-wheel-drive Performance grade now delivering an impressive 500kW, up from 380kW.
Efficiency and Driving Experience
Polestar has also focused on improving efficiency and the overall driving experience. The front electric motor now features an automatic disconnect function, enhancing efficiency and range during everyday driving. The electric-car brand has refined the 3's anti-roll bars and steering, promising an even more engaging and direct driving experience.
Technology and Hardware Upgrades
In terms of technology, the Polestar 3 now boasts a more powerful Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processor, capable of an incredible 245 trillion operations per second. Existing Polestar 3 owners will be pleased to know they can receive a complimentary hardware upgrade to match this new standard.
Simplified Grades and Optional Extras
The 2026 Polestar 3 has simplified its grade structure, renaming the models for clarity. The 'Long range single motor' is now the 'Rear Motor', the 'Long range dual motor' is the 'Dual Motor', and the 'Long range dual motor with Performance pack' is simply the 'Performance'.
Active air suspension is now an optional extra, and an electrochromic glass roof is available across the range. There are also new exterior colour options, including Storm (grey) and Krypton (green), and updated interior finishes like Nebula (soft green) MicroTech and Dune nappa leather.
Pricing and Specifications
The 2026 Polestar 3 will be available in Australian showrooms mid-year, and here's a breakdown of the pricing and key specifications for each grade:
Polestar 3 Rear Motor:
- Price: $116,700
- Rear electric motor: 245kW/480Nm (up from 220kW/490Nm)
- WLTP driving range: 604km (down from 650km)
- Battery: 92kWh lithium-ion (down from 111kWh)
- Maximum DC charge speed: 310kW (up from 250kW)
- 0-100km/h acceleration: 6.5 seconds (from 7.8sec)
- Standard features: Head-up display, acoustic rear windscreen, PM2.5 air quality sensor and filter, power-adjustable steering column, soft-closing doors, foldable boot floor, 20-inch alloy wheels, passive suspension, 1500kg braked towing capacity, adaptive LED headlights, LED tail-lights, 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, 9.0-inch digital instrument display, panoramic glass roof, hands-free power tailgate, wireless smartphone charger, four USB-C ports, power-adjustable heated front seats, black headlining, textile floor mats, tri-zone auto climate control, heat pump, rain-sensing wipers, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, power-adjustable heated side mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, privacy glass, rear-view camera, 360-degree surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, and a driver monitoring system.
Polestar 3 Dual Motor (additional features over Rear Motor):
- Price: $131,100
- Rear electric motor: 400kW/740Nm (up from 360kW/840Nm)
- WLTP driving range: 635km (up from 632km)
- Battery: 106kWh lithium-ion (down from 111kWh)
- Maximum DC charge speed: 350kW (up from 250kW)
- 0-100km/h acceleration: 4.7 seconds (from 5.0sec)
- Black seatbelts with Swedish gold stripe
- Braked towing capacity: 2200kg
Polestar 3 Performance (additional features over Dual Motor):
- Price: $146,700
- Rear electric motor: 500kW/870Nm (up from 380kW/910Nm)
- WLTP driving range: 593km (up from 560km)
- Battery: 106kWh lithium-ion (down from 111kWh)
- Maximum DC charge speed: 350kW (up from 250kW)
- 0-100km/h acceleration: 3.9 seconds (from 4.7sec)
- Polestar Engineered suspension tuning
- 22-inch forged alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero tyres
- Swedish gold valve caps and seatbelts
- Laser-etched gold interior light line on the dashboard
- "Range optimisation" drive mode
Optional extras for all Polestar 3 grades include the $1200 Climate Pack, which adds a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and heated front wiper blades. Individual options include different wheel sizes and designs, interior finishes, leather seat options, dual-chamber active air suspension, high-definition LED headlights, an electric towbar, rear privacy glass, and the electrochromic glass roof.
The 2026 Polestar 3 is available in a range of colours, with Storm (grey) and Krypton (green) being new additions, priced at $2000 and $3200 extra, respectively. Other colour options include Magnesium (silver), Space (black), Midnight (blue), and Snow (white), with varying price premiums.
So, what do you think of the 2026 Polestar 3? Are you excited about the price cut and the impressive upgrades? Or do you have concerns about the battery size reductions? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
