Polestar’s flagship electric SUV, the Polestar 3, is set for a substantial mid-cycle update rolling out in Australia from mid-2026. The changes focus heavily on performance and efficiency, with a new electrical architecture and upgraded motors, while exterior styling remains largely the same.
Faster Charging and Improved Performance
The most notable upgrade is the shift to an 800V electrical system, allowing for significantly faster DC fast-charging. Polestar now claims a 20% to 80% charge can be achieved in just 22 minutes at 350kW—a 25% improvement over the previous 250kW capability.
All variants receive a new rear permanent magnet synchronous motor, now producing 245kW (333 horsepower) and 480Nm of torque (a slight decrease in torque, but an increase of 25kW). The front motor in dual-motor configurations can now be automatically disconnected to maximize efficiency when all-wheel drive isn’t needed.
Trims and Range Variations
The entry-level Polestar 3 Rear Motor gets a smaller 92kWh battery, supporting up to 310kW charging. Despite this, it boasts a range of 604km (WLTP), with an improved 0–100km/h time of 6.5 seconds.
The Dual Motor variant, now making 400kW and 740Nm, accelerates to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and offers a range of 635km (WLTP) thanks to its 106kWh battery.
The high-performance Polestar 3 Performance delivers a total of 500kW and 870Nm, hitting 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, and achieving a range of 593km (WLTP) with the same 106kWh battery.
Tech Upgrades and Standard Features
Polestar has also significantly upgraded the onboard computer. The new Nvidia Orin processor delivers 254 trillion operations per second—over 8x the power of the previous Xavier unit. Existing Polestar 3 owners will receive a free over-the-air update to this new system.
The Plus Pack, previously an $9,000 option, is now standard across all trims, including features like a head-up display, acoustic rear windscreen, Bowers & Wilkins sound system with active noise cancellation, and soft-close doors. All variants also include advanced safety features like a 360-degree camera and lane change assist.
Value Proposition and Minor Aesthetic Changes
Despite CEO Michael Lohscheller’s claim that the upgrades are equivalent to an entirely new car, the Polestar 3 retains its original exterior design. However, new color options, including Storm dark metallic grey and Krypton metallic green, have been added.
The 2026 Polestar 3 update delivers substantial improvements in charging speed, motor output, and onboard tech while maintaining competitive range figures. These upgrades position the vehicle as a stronger contender in the luxury electric SUV market.
