When you discover your car’s glovebox can only be opened by an electric switch you realise you’re driving something a bit different, a bit special and out of the ordinary.
The discovery was made as we sat transfixed by the sheer complexity of the Polestar 3’s infotainment and driving display contained in a 14.5-inch laptop-like portrait screen in the centre of the fascia.
And that was just the start before we ventured further and had even moved off. At this point we need to stress the importance or necessity of becoming fully acquainted with what is hidden deep behind that big screen.
The wheel-spokes have just two toggle switches either side and they operate a multitude of functions chosen by tapping the console screen, such as mirror settings and even column angle and wheel rake. Stalks work the indicators and wash/ wipe in a more traditional way, thank goodness.
It’s a big and busy screen but once you begin to explore the settings you can pick and save them to your personal taste and even use them to set up what you want to show on the simple 9-inch instrument display ahead of the driver and even the head-up display as well.
It is a case of familiarity breeds contentment.
Polestar 3 is the Geely brand’s first car to be produced on two continents, with initial production in Chengdu, China followed by additional production in Ridgeville, South Carolina, USA. That means it will not qualify for the UK EV grant, unfortunately.
Mechanically, the two motors develop identical output so each pair of wheels is powered and makes the car very suitable for light wintry roads. Adjustable air suspension also increases the ride height by 25cms if you go off road or you can leave it in normal road mode and get better feedback on quick cross-country trips.
Oddments room was good for a family car with big compartments throughout, power points and a 40/20/40 split rear seatbacks arrangement to gradually raise total carrying space to over 1,400 litres with a ski-hatch as well. There is a reasonable compartment beneath the boot floor and a decent sized front box but you have to decide where you’ll carry the power cable.
Access was good to the luggage area and wide opening doors to the cabin, but care was needed entering or exiting as the apertures had a low roofline for taller people. The seats were very comfortable for short, medium or tall users with a wide range of adjustment and support including the side bolsters.
With a kerb weight over 2.6 tonnes the Polestar 3 is not going to be as agile as a smaller and lighter SUV but it has the weight to smooth out many bad surfaces and only a few bumps were felt. Its throttle response was very good and it exhibited good roadholding on a series of bends with its ride height giving a good view of the conditions ahead.
Range is an issue with any battery electric vehicle as it very closely relates to a driving style, traffic and even prevailing weather so we were delighted to see an indicated 330 miles possible, a little short of the manufacturer’s test condition but a good distance nevertheless and the car’s software will point you to a convenient chargepoint anyway.
The Polestar 3 is a big SUV for today’s world which is ideal for a family, longer trips and doing a multitude of jobs, on road as well as some soft-road situations.
It’s a good standard against which to judge others.
