Kyle C "absolutely loved" the Polestar 3

[DeaneG]

If Gravity is too large for you, or has too much range (!), or if you really, really want Google Maps and Assistant instead of HERE, the Polestar 3 is looking very good:

 

[xponents]

If Gravity is too large for you, or has too much range (!), or if you really, really want Google Maps and Assistant instead of HERE, the Polestar 3 is looking very good:

An incredibly attractive SUV, and one that has a very nice interior based on my short trip to Short Hills (wow, that is some weird phrasing). I’m just a bit confused as to why anybody would pick this over an EX90, seeing as to how it has similar specs, has similar pricing, comes from a “shakier” company, and is smaller. I do suppose there is a market for “smaller” performance cars with tons of luxury features (@Steveinarizona being one notable example), but for most people, I can’t see this car making much sense.

 

[segbrk]

I do suppose there is a market for “smaller” performance cars with tons of luxury features (@Steveinarizona being one notable example), but for most people, I can’t see this car making much sense.

I'm notable too!

Really, I don't think it's a small market. I think @DeaneG and I share common interests: a car with both a shorter wheelbase than the Air or Gravity and a higher ground clearance than the Air. We're not ferrying around 5 kids, we sometimes like to fit into parking spots in the city, but we also drive on remote roads that tend to have nasty holes and rocks. Not true offroading, just rough roading. I don't want to compromise on interior comfort either. It takes a long drive to get to those remote roads. There's a reason Lucid's first real volume car is looking like it'll be a smaller CUV.

 

[Lucken]

I’ll pass on Chinese cars. When I was initially interested in Polestar they couldn’t even answer where or how the car would be serviced on Long Island. I got the same answer when I called their main office in Switzerland. I might add that its MPGe is very unimpressive.

 

[DeaneG]

... I’m just a bit confused as to why anybody would pick this over an EX90, seeing as to how it has similar specs, has similar pricing, comes from a “shakier” company, and is smaller....

Exactly because it's smaller. There are just the two of us, and driving around with seven seats is an unnecessary burden.

It might make a great bridge vehicle for us while waiting for a high ground clearance version of Lucid's midsize.

 

[DeaneG]

I’ll pass on Chinese cars. When I was initially interested in Polestar they couldn’t even answer where or how the car would be serviced on Long Island. I got the same answer when I called their main office in Switzerland.

They're serviced at Volvo dealers. US models of the Polestar 3 will be built in South Carolina. Yes, they are now owned by Geely, as is Lotus.

 

[Lucken]

They're serviced at Volvo dealers. US models of the Polestar 3 will be built in South Carolina. Yes, they are owned by Geely.

I’d still pass and their poor efficiency is a deal breaker for me one way or the other.

 

[DeaneG]

I’d still pass and their poor efficiency is a deal breaker for me one way or the other.

Efficiency and resulting range are the P3's main drawback for me. I'll be cross-shopping this against the Gravity next year. Macan EV is likely out for me because Porsche detuned it to feel like an ICE Macan.

 

[DeaneG]

FWIW, Polestar's CEO mentioned that they could have pushed the P3's styling further toward optimizing aerodynamics, but they didn't want to lose the car's athletic character. A different design optimization with interestingly different results. I'm glad we have both to consider, Cheetah vs Pit Bull. People love each.

 

[joec]

I'm glad more cars in this category are starting to come out. In a few years, we'll also have more options from Audi, Rivian, and Lucid. This is where the true battle for marketshare will be fought.

Competition is good for everyone.

Having said that, if this is another 2-hour Kyle video, could someone summarize the TLDR here for me? I can't watch this guy for more than five minutes.

 

[MGRMLN]

His "range tests" are the most ridiculous. I don't *literally* want to ride along with you to see the results! LOL

 

[hmp10]

Having said that, if this is another 2-hour Kyle video . . . .

Nope, it's a short. Only an hour and a quarter long.

 

[DeaneG]

Actual discussion of the Polestar 3 begins at 17:30 into the video after a review of Polestar history and models

Polestar 3 about $85K basically fully loaded (but this version is without lidar)

107 kWh usable battery, 111 kWh gross
48A onboard L2 charger, current adjustable downwards via screen control, 90% daily charging limit recommended.
Small frunk, divided with a partition for USA due to no internal release

Launch is with CCS connector, 250kW peak charge rate, ~400v class, Tesla Supercharger access is coming soon with an adapter
J3400 NACS connector version to come a bit later

Polestar "absolutely nailed the styling", "perfection" from many angles
Amber turn signal lights (unlike Audi) - data shows that amber is safer than red

Larger overall than Macan
Underfloor storage space is substantial

Air suspension
Can lower rear suspension via button in trunk area for cargo loading
Rear seats fold almost flat
Doors and handles have a great feel and sound
A lot of legroom and headroom in the second row
Rear seat climate control screen with 2 USB-C ports
Kyle hates the flappy rubber cover over the CCS port (a la Volvo and prior Polestar cars)

Seems like so much car for $85K - feels more like a $95K car

Interior looks and feels great. Very nice materials. Manual air vents feel premium.
Build quality great.
Window controls awkward with a front/back window mode switch.

Bright Heads-up display
Display UX very snappy. Clean UX design.
Native Google Maps with Google Assistant, offline maps available without mode change
Large portrait center UI screen
Smaller screen above steering wheel for speedo, charge level, etc

Dynamic range is calculated for display based on the last 300 miles driving
PM2.5 outside air quality measurement visible on display

Three levels of steering wheel heat
Can heat and cool seats simultaneously (warm seat without sweat)

Only two choices of interior lighting color: white and gold (amber)
Capacitive touch controls on steering wheel are out of the way of accidental actuation

Steering, seat, mirror, glovebox controls are via UX screen
Up to almost 10" of ground clearance
9-band audio EQ
"I love this software"
Software experience excels
"Premium, not pretentious"

Seat bottom leather may crease over time
Steering 2.5 turns lock-to-lock, slower than a sports car's 2.0 turns "loving the steering ratio"
Loving Google Maps
View out front is awesome, frameless sideview mirrors great
Very quiet, very comfortable ride

Firm, non-padded steering wheel (Kyle loves it)
Mechanical rear axle torque vectoring via two wet clutches (also used for ECO mode rear-motor disconnect)
"so blown away by how isolated the interior feels while driving, and how nice the ride is", "very smooth ride quality"
360 cam view works well but can be comically distorted
One-pedal driving is very progressive and smooth

Car weighs 5700lb!
Rear-biased drive power 180kW front, 200kW rear
Performance Pack version acceleration may not be faster than Model Y long range

Lanekeeping ADAS worked well
Auto lane change didn't work - is software not finished yet?
Capacitive wheel driver sensor rather than torque sensing?

"I really really like it", "Can't say enough good things about it"
Polestar 3 is an alternative to a Model Y, but better
A lot more personality than Macan EV, roomier, less pretentious
Macan EV may be a better long-distance road tripper due to faster charging