The Polestar 3 is a highly-anticipated addition to the automaker’s lineup. The performance-oriented SUV will only be available on an EV platform and is being developed in unison with Volvo, the company’s part-owner.

While pre-sale orders are currently underway for the Polestar 3, there will be a significant delay until drivers start seeing the SUV in their driveways and sales really begin.

Previous models released by Polestar

The Polestar 3 is the brand’s third attempt at a mainstream automobile. The electric car manufacturer is rooted in Volvo racing cars, with its vehicles currently being built in China by Geely. Many EV enthusiasts are anxious to get their hands on the Polestar 3 because of its modern styling and design features not found in many other brands.

Polestar is not new to the electric vehicle industry. In 2019, the automaker released the Polestar 1, a limited-production GT that competed with the Porsche 911. The two-door coupe PHEV, which is no longer in production, offered a hybrid drivetrain that produced 619 hp and came with a hefty $150,000 price tag.

In 2020, production began on the all-electric Polestar 2, which carried an MSRP of around $50,000 for a single-motor version. The stylish sedan, which resembles a Volvo, is a battery-electric five-door liftback with the height of a crossover. The Polestar 2 has three variants, with the long-range, dual-motor version having a starting price of $58,000.

What we know about the Polestar 3 so far, including anticipated delivery dates

Similar to the larger electric Volvo EX90, the Polestar 3 will be one of the first electric vehicles to utilize the new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA2), a full-size unibody platform developed by Volvo.

According to ARS Technica, Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said, “Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics.” He explained, “It also takes our manufacturing footprint to the next level bringing production to the United States. We are proud and excited to expand our portfolio as we continue our rapid growth.”

Production for China, Europe, and North America will begin in China next year, with deliveries anticipated to start in Q4 of 2023.

How much will the Polestar 3 cost?

While the first Polestar 3 models will not hit North America until sometime toward the end of next year, the automaker is so sure the all-electric SUV will be well-received in the U.S. market that they have plans to begin local production in 2024 at their manufacturing facility in Ridgeville, South Carolina.

The Polestar 3 will only have one configuration when it hits the American market and is expected to have a starting price of $83,900 for a “loaded” dual motor, all-wheel drive EV that puts out 489 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque.

An optional $6,000 performance package, one of the few options, will offer 517 hp and 671 lb-ft of torque, with a top speed of 112 mph. The Pilot and Plus packages will be standard for the first model year.

Electrek predicts a single-motor version of the Polestar with a lower price point may be in the works. As of July 2023, to qualify for a $7,500 federal EV tax credit, the price threshold of an electric SUV is $80,000. Since the Polestar 3 in its current variant is not eligible, it may only be a matter of time before a scaled-back model hits the market. Until then, drivers will have to wait impatiently for the release of the dual motor long-range version.