Big Discount for Sporty SUV
Polestar, the Sweden-based EV startup, is now offering a staggering $20,000 sales incentive for Tesla owners to make the switch to its new Polestar 3 crossover, a vehicle we already really like. Drivers who choose to lease the new luxury crossover can take advantage of the offer until the end of March.
How Does the Polestar Incentive Work?
The $20,000 sales incentive is actually composed of two components. First, there’s a $15,000 “Polestar Clean Vehicle Incentive” that doubles the $7,500 federal clean vehicle incentive for U.S.-made vehicles (the Polestar 3 is actually made in America). Then there’s a $5,000 “Polestar Conquest Bonus” for drivers who currently own or lease a Tesla vehicle.
Tesla drivers have to provide a copy of their registration or insurance documents showing their vehicle’s VIN, name, address, and expiration date, and Polestar stores will have to verify that the driver lives in the same household as the registration or insurance documents.
Importantly, the full $20,000 for the EV deal is only available to customers who choose to lease a 2025 Polestar 3. You don’t get the same money if you chose to purchase or finance, and delivery must be taken before March 31, so you’ll likely have to choose a Polestar 3 from available inventory instead of custom-ordering one.
Tell Me About the Polestar 3
Still, that won’t be such a hardship, as the Polestar 3 is an excellent EV crossover. The third entry in the brand’s lineup, after the exclusive plug-in hybrid Polestar 1 coupe and the Polestar 2 sedan, the 3 is the most mainstream Polestar model to date and the first one built in America. It’s made in Charleston, South Carolina.
Built off the same platform as the Volvo EX90 electric SUV, the Polestar 3 is low, sleek, and sporty, while retaining a significant amount of versatility. While we like its exterior styling, it’s the interior that’s really impressive, with tons of space, a modern design, and gorgeous, sustainable materials.
The Polestar 3 also has a cutting-edge infotainment package with a portrait-format screen and the latest version of Google’s Android Automotive operating system. Already one of the most responsive and sophisticated on the market, Android Automotive operates as the car’s native operating system. Advantages to this approach include over-the-air updates and a full suite of Google cloud services.
How Does the Polestar 3 Drive?
Polestar’s offerings are surprisingly sporty. While shared Volvo componentry means that Polestars prioritize safety and security, they are also stiffer and more responsive than you might expect.
The Polestar 3 offers a choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, with range up to 350 miles for the two-wheel drive version, up to 517 horsepower, and a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds.
Active air suspension uses sensors all over the car to detect what is happening on the road up to 500 times a second, meaning the Polestar 3 can react to drivers’ inputs instantly, offering a great balance of comfort and responsiveness, even on the bumpiest roads.
Polestar 3 Versus Tesla Model Y
With a starting MSRP of $67,500, the Polestar 3 is significantly more expensive than the best-selling Tesla Model Y, but the $20,000 incentive bridges the price gap instantaneously. The Polestar offers more space, a much more attractive interior, and a more comfortable drive than the Tesla which despite a recent facelift, is now an aging product.
