- Polestar New Zealand has revealed pricing for the upgraded 2026 Polestar 3.
- The 2026 range features RWD and AWD models, with a range-topping Performance AWD variant.
- Upgraded 800 volt electrical architecture sees a drop in charging times across the range.
Polestar has confirmed the local pricing and technical specifications for the upgraded Polestar 3 SUV, with the first New Zealand customer deliveries scheduled to begin in mid-August 2026. The local lineup begins with the Rear Motor variant priced at $149,900, while the Dual Motor version starts at $159,900 and the flagship Performance variant is available from $174,900.
A major technical update for the 2026 model is the switch to an 800 volt electrical architecture, which Polestar says enables DC fast charging at speeds up to 350kW. According to the company this hardware change allows the battery to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in around 22 minutes under "optimal conditions".
The Polestar 3's core computing system has also been upgraded from the previous Xavier unit to the Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processor, which increases processing capacity more than 8 times - from 30 to 254 trillion operations per second - to manage sensor data and safety systems.
All Polestar 3's now use a newly developed permanent magnet synchronous rear motor, while the dual-motor versions include an asynchronous front motor that automatically disconnects when not required to improve energy efficiency.
Performance specifications for the New Zealand market include a range of up to 647km under the WLTP cycle, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds for the fastest variant, and a peak power output of up to 500kW with 870Nm of torque. Mechanical changes also include revised chassis tuning with updated anti-roll bars on the front axle and retuned steering software.
The standard New Zealand specification includes the Pilot and Plus packs across the range, featuring a panoramic roof and various sustainable interior materials. Options include 1.3 megapixel HD LED headlights, an electrochromic glass roof, and a retractable towbar, while active air suspension is standard on the Performance variant and remains an option for the Dual motor.
"The upgraded Polestar 3 is a major step forward for our brand in New Zealand," said Bruce Fowler, Brand Manager for Polestar 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."
