Polestar 2 vs Polestar 3

Polestar is one of the newest brands in the automotive firmament, but it still has a connection to an established automaker.

The Polestar name originally belonged to an independent motorsports and tuning company focused on modifying Volvos. It was eventually acquired by the Swedish automaker, and for a short time became its performance sub-brand, similar to Mercedes-AMG or BMW M. Volvo then decided to reassign the Polestar name to a new brand focused on electric vehicles. Launched for the 2021 model year, the Polestar 2 was the new brand’s first volume model, following the limited-edition Polestar 1 plug-in hybrid.

Polestar has other EVs planned, but for now the 2 remains its sole offering. The 2024 Polestar 2 gets some notable upgrades, including a range boost, revised styling, and some powertrain changes. All of that helps keep the 2 fresh in the face of competition like the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Polestar keeps its lineup simple. Buyers can choose between Long Range Single Motor and Long Range Dual Motor configurations. We sampled the single-motor Polestar 2 for this review.

During several days of driving the new Polestar 3 electric luxury SUV in Southern California, it swiveled nearly as many heads as a Volkswagen ID. Buzz—which is saying something. People take notice of its crisply tailored design, enigmatic emblems, and swift but silent electric propulsion. But do they know what it is, and where to buy it? Production kicked off in August 2024 in South Carolina. But here in EV-happy Los Angeles, we’ve seen only one other one on the road.

Verdict: The 2025 Polestar 3 is an excellent electric SUV that remains a mystery to luxury EV customers. The only reference to the brand and model is a decal on the door, and because the stylish logo adorning the hood, hatch, and wheels is unknown, it’s the ultimate stealth vehicle. The Polestar 3 deserves recognition, not mystery.