The 2026 Polestar 3 receives major updates, and current owners receive a free update (2 photos)
2026 Polestar 3 facelift unveiled
Polestar has officially unveiled the facelifted Polestar 3 electric crossover for the 2026 model year. The updates include a number of key technical improvements, including new batteries, increased power and a switch to an 800-volt electrical architecture. The top-of-the-line Performance version now produces 671 hp, up 154 hp from the previous model.
Changes in electrical architecture
The main change was the transition from a 400-volt to an 800-volt electrical system. This made it possible to implement fast charging with a capacity of up to 350 kW on direct current. According to the manufacturer, the battery charging time from 10% to 80% was reduced to 22 minutes, which is 25% faster compared to the previous model.
Updated batteries and electric motors
The car received new batteries with a capacity of 92 and 106 kWh. The crossover's efficiency in the WLTP cycle has increased by 6%. Engineers also installed a new rear electric motor of their own design, the power of which is 329 hp and torque - 480 Nm. This is an increase of 34 hp more than before, although torque has decreased slightly.
Improved dynamic characteristics
The twin-motor version now develops 536 hp and 740 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Performance version with indicators of 671 hp and 870 Nm covers the same distance in 3.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to 143 mph. 
New control system and hardware update
The car is equipped with a new NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin processor, which replaced the previous Xavier module. This increased the computing power from 30 to 254 trillion operations per second. It is important that existing Polestar 3 owners will be able to replace the processor free of charge at service centers starting early next year.
Updates in trim levels and design
The manufacturer has simplified the names of the trim levels: they are now called Rear Motor, Dual Motor and Performance. There are also new options, such as the Climate package with heated rear seats and steering wheel, as well as the Prime package, which combines several options together. The color palette has been replenished with a Storm shade, and larger emblems with the trim level designation have appeared on the doors.
Interior and materials
The interior has become standard with the use of environmentally friendly MicroTech material in Charcoal color and recycled aluminum decor. Active Noise Cancellation and the Bowers & Wilkins audio system are now available as separate options.
The 2026 Polestar 3 will initially be available in the UK, where last year’s version sold out, with other markets following suit. These updates make the model even more competitive in the premium electric crossover segment, especially given the upgradeability for current owners. Such moves demonstrate the priority of long-term customer support and adapting to the rapid development of technology.
