Polestar has confirmed New Zealand availability and pricing for the upgraded Polestar 3, the brand’s flagship electric performance SUV, with customer deliveries scheduled from mid-August 2026. In New Zealand, Polestar 3 is available to order now from $149,900 for the Rear Motor variant, with Dual Motor priced from $159,900 and Performance from $174,900, plus on-road costs.
Polestars says the upgraded Polestar 3 represents a significant step forward for the model, introducing a new 800-volt electrical architecture that enables faster charging, increased power outputs, and greater core computing processing power. Polestar 3 now offers DC fast charging of up to 350 kW, allowing a 10–80% charge in as little as 22 minutes in optimal conditions, and peak power rises to up to 500 kW in the Performance variant.
Bruce Fowler, Brand Manager for Polestar New Zealand, says: “The upgraded Polestar 3 is a major step forward for our brand in New Zealand. It combines the design, performance and technology expected of a flagship SUV with meaningful improvements in charging speed, computing power, and day-to-day usability. For customers seeking a premium electric SUV without compromise, Polestar 3 sets a new benchmark.”
In New Zealand specification, the model offers range of up to 647 km (WLTP), 0–100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, and torque of up to 870 Nm, underlining its position as a premium performance electric SUV designed for both long-distance touring and everyday usability.
A key part of the upgrade is the move to a new powertrain configuration. All variants now benefit from a newly developed and more powerful permanent magnet synchronous rear motor, while an asynchronous front motor in dual-motor versions can automatically disconnect when not required to improve efficiency and extend range in day-to-day driving. In parallel, a revised chassis tuning with updated suspension and anti-roll bars on the front axle and a retuned steering software, contribute to deliver an engaging and distinct Polestar driving experience, claims the company.
Polestar 3 also continues to evolve as one of the industry’s leading software-defined vehicles. A major upgrade to the core computing system sees the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor replace the previous Xavier unit, lifting processing power from 30 to 254 trillion operations per second. This increase of more than eight times enables faster and more intelligent management of safety systems, battery performance and sensor data, supporting Polestar’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement through hardware and software innovation.
In New Zealand, Polestar 3 is offered in Rear Motor, Dual Motor, and Performance variants. The current local configuration also includes a strong standard specification, with the Pilot pack and Plus pack listed across the range in the configurator, alongside features such as a panoramic roof, innovative interior materials, and a minimalist cabin shaped around sustainable design principles.
Customers can further tailor the vehicle with options including an electrochromic glass roof, 1.3-megapixel HD LED headlights, active air suspension (option on Dual Motor and standard on Performance), towbar, and a choice of curated interior and exterior finishes.
Sustainability remains central to Polestar 3’s proposition. Polestar highlights the use of carefully sourced materials, including traceable animal welfare-secured Nappa leather, traceable animal welfare-certified wool, and renewable electricity in manufacturing. Polestar also publishes a cradle-to-gate carbon footprint for the model, with 24.5 tCO₂e for Polestar 3 Rear motor and 25.9 tCO₂e for Polestar 3 Dual motor.
The upgraded Polestar 3 is available to order now in New Zealand, with first deliveries expected from mid-August 2026. Customers can explore specifications, pricing and configuration options online through polestar.com/nz.
