31-03-2025
Test Driving The New 2025 Polestar 3 Single Motor Model
Say 'hello' to the newest version of the Polestar 3, which follows the Dual Motor version that's been out for a while. The 2025 Polestar 3 Single Motor model costs less and has a longer range, but it also has far less power. Does it sacrifice so much performance that it's not worth the reduced cost and the extra range it offers, or do those things balance out and this ends up being a better version of the car? That's why we drove it -- to find out.
Driving the Polestar 3 Single Motor on Mulholland Highway in Malibu may not sound like a good pairing. This road is known for laying bare how well a car does (or does not) handle, and this is a big, heavy electric SUV, right? Actually it's not that heavy. In fact weighs about 400 pounds less than the Dual Motor version, and because it doesn't have a front motor, most of that weight comes off the front of the vehicle.
Driving it on a road like Mulholland really illustrates the difference between the two models. But it's not just the handling that improves. You also get a much lower starting price of about $67,500, which is about $8,000 less than base Dual Motor version of the Polestar 3. And this one's also got the longest range: 350 miles. So you pay less and you get more range. I don't know anyone who buys an electric car that won't find that compelling.
This Polestar 3 with a single motor offers 299 hp and 361 pound feet of torque. This is just over half as powerful as the top line, most expensive Dual Motor model. But this one still has the same 111 kWh battery pack, which is why it goes 350 miles instead of the 315 miles offed by the Dual Motor. It also can charge at a rate up to 250 kW, which can recharge the battery from about 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes…assuming you can find a level three charger…which can be a big assumption.
As we know, even though this is now considered the base version of the Polestar 3 it still comes with a complete suite of driver assistance features, all the same driver-assist technologies included on the higher-end models. And it can still be had with things like a head-up display, and up to a 25 speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system.
Polestar continues to lean on their heritage as a performance brand, and the way the automaker tuned this passive suspension reflects it. It's stiff enough to control body roll around corners, but it's not so stiff that it's uncomfortable when you're not driving aggressively. Polestar found the perfect balance. It's not an active suspension like the Dual Motor version, so this Polestar 3 can't change the ride height or offer as wide of range in terms of ride quality. But it's the best driver's version of this car.
All Polestars use the same Android-based Google operating system, and it's effective and intuitive. But the central touchscreen can be annoying. I have yet to ride in a Polestar and not be frustrated with trying to use the touchscreen. You basically have to punch the screen multiple times to initiate an action. I don't know if it's the design or the technology, but Polestar should probably work improving this aspect of its cars.
Touchscreen issues aside, this is the Polestar 3 you want if you're looking for an electric performance car with SUV functionality. It's not going to be as fast as the Dual Motor versions, with zero to 60 taking about 7.8 seconds. But it weighs around 400 pounds less, with most of that weight coming off the front wheels. I did not expect to be impressed by this vehicle's handling and driver engagement. But I was.
You're really getting a more pure experience because the passive, less sophisticated suspension also means less weight, less 'busy-ness' and less filtration between what's going on at each wheels and what's going on with the steering wheel. There are no computers trying to figure out what to do. There's just a properly-tuned suspension consistently delivering superior steering feel and more engaging driving dynamics.
If you're thinking about a Polestar model, you should seriously consider the Polestar 3 Single Motor version. Less weight, longer range, better driving experience. This is the one to get.
