Polestar has announced a substantial upgrade for its flagship Polestar 3 electric SUV in Canada, introducing faster charging speeds, more computing power, and improved performance for the 2026 model year.
The updated Polestar 3 is now available to order across Canada, however it still carries a hefty starting price of $105,000 for the Dual motor variant.
So what does that amount of money get you? The biggest change comes under the skin, where Polestar has transitioned the SUV to an 800-volt electrical architecture, allowing the Polestar 3 to reach peak DC fast charging speeds of up to 350kW. According to Polestar, the SUV can now charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 22 minutes under ideal conditions, representing a 35% improvement over the previous version.
The company has also introduced a new software layer called Breathe Charge, designed to optimize charging performance in real time. The system continuously monitors battery conditions and dynamically adjusts charging speeds to improve efficiency while helping preserve long-term battery health.
Polestar says the software can add up to 38% more driving range during a 10-minute fast charging session compared to charging without the technology enabled.
Performance has also been upgraded. Every Polestar 3 now comes with a newly developed permanent magnet synchronous rear motor, while dual motor trims continue to pair it with an asynchronous front motor. In the top Performance variant, combined output climbs to as much as 500kW, giving the SUV even stronger acceleration and power delivery.
To improve efficiency, the front motor can now automatically disconnect during steady driving conditions when extra traction or performance is not required. Polestar says the changes, combined with revised suspension tuning, updated anti-roll bars, and recalibrated steering software, deliver a more engaging driving experience while maintaining the SUV’s comfort-focused character.
One of the more significant upgrades, however, is the move to NVIDIA’s latest DRIVE AGX Orin processor. The new chip boosts computing performance from 30 TOPS (trillion operations per second) to 254 TOPS, more than an eightfold increase. Polestar says that additional processing power is used to improve active safety systems, sensor processing, and overall vehicle responsiveness.
Existing owners aren’t left out. Polestar confirmed current Polestar 3 owners will receive the upgraded Orin hardware free of charge through a retrofit program.
“The response to Polestar 3 in Canada has exceeded our expectations, with customers embracing its Scandinavian design, performance, and advanced technology,” said Hugues Bissonnette, Head of Polestar Canada. “With the latest updates — including faster charging and enhanced in-car technology — the Polestar 3 is even better suited for Canadian drivers and the diverse conditions they face year-round.”
The updated SUV also introduces new exterior colours called Storm and Krypton, alongside revised trim naming and interior updates, including a new Dune Nappa leather option with black ash décor.
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