Polestar has unveiled a sweeping set of hardware upgrades for the Polestar 3, making the 2026 model year one of the brand’s most significant leaps forward. The improvements to the automaker’s flagship SUV include a new 800-volt electrical architecture resulting in faster charging speeds, a more powerful in-house rear motor, and a new computer with more than eight times the processing capability of the outgoing model.
For the first time, the Polestar 3 adopts an 800-volt electrical platform, cutting charging times and improving efficiency. With peak DC charging rates of up to 350 kW, owners can now recharge the battery from 10–80% in as little as 22 minutes—a speed increase of more than 25% compared to the previous version.
Polestar will also offer new CATL-supplied lithium-ion batteries, with a 92 kWh pack for the single-motor Rear version and a 106 kWh pack for Dual Motor and Performance variants. Together with the more efficient power system, range figures improve across the lineup, with the Dual Motor version now reaching up to 635 km (394 miles) on a charge based on the more generous WLTP rating.
Performance is another area where the SUV sees big gains. Polestar has developed a new permanent magnet synchronous rear motor in-house, paired with an asynchronous front motor. The Performance trim now produces up to 500 kW (680 hp) and 870 Nm of torque, sprinting from 0–100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds.
The front motor features automatic disconnect for improved efficiency, while the increased rear bias, upgraded anti-roll bars, and refined steering software promise a sportier, more engaging drive across all trims.
The Polestar 3 is also now running on the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor. This upgrade boosts computing performance from 30 to 254 trillion operations per second (TOPS), enhancing active safety, sensor processing, and energy management.
In a rare move, Polestar confirmed that existing Polestar 3 customers will receive this hardware upgrade free of charge, with retrofits beginning in early 2026.
For the 2026 model year the Polestar 3 will now be offered in three trims—Rear motor, Dual motor, and Performance—each with their own distinct features and design touches. New packs such as the Climate Pack and Prime Pack will also be available to configure. Polestar is also introducing a new Storm metallic grey exterior colour and upgraded sustainable interior materials for the 2026 Polestar 3.
The upgraded Polestar 3 will launch first in the UK before rolling out to additional markets.
