Lexus RZ vs Polestar 3: comparison of premium electric SUVs between €65,000 and €85,000

There are comparisons that seem obvious on paper and then, when you read the fine print, aren’t quite so. This is one of them. The Lexus RZ and the Polestar 3 share a category—premium electric SUV—and little else. One pursues the quiet efficiency that has made Toyota famous in its luxury division; the other, the sheer force of a Scandinavian brand born to go head-to-head with Tesla. Let’s break down both, with their real specifications laid out in front of us.

Lexus RZ 350e, from €52,000: the efficiency bet

The RZ is the first pure electric vehicle designed from scratch by Lexus, and it shows in the approach: no chasing the shortest 0-100 time, but rather the most usable range and a level of comfort that borders on artisanal. The 350e E-Premium Efficiency version features a 165 kW (224 CV) motor and a 77 kWh battery that, according to the manufacturer, delivers around 560 kilometres of range. It is not the fastest premium electric SUV on the Spanish market, and it doesn’t need to be.

Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor, from €104,300: power as a philosophy

The Polestar 3 takes a radically different approach. The Long Range Dual Motor variant with Performance Pack delivers 380 kW (520 CV) from two motors, with a much larger battery—111 kWh—that homologates a range of roughly 560 kilometres. All that power, the added weight and aerodynamics less focused on pure efficiency take their toll on consumption compared with more restrained versions. It is the logical trade-off of an SUV designed to accelerate, not merely to cruise.

Design and road presence

The RZ follows the design language Lexus has been refining across its plug-in hybrid range, with that “spindle” front reinterpreted for the electric era and a silhouette that prioritises aerodynamics over visual aggression. The Polestar 3, by contrast, has a more sculptural presence, almost minimalist in the Scandinavian manner, with a closed front and proportions that reveal its sporting vocation without resorting to ostentatious elements. These are two ways of understanding luxury: one discreet, the other declarative.

Cabin and on-board technology

Inside, the RZ opts for materials with a warm feel and ergonomics inherited from Lexus tradition—here the brand rarely falters—along with an infotainment system that, in my view, still sits a step behind some European rivals in terms of fluidity. The Polestar 3 responds with a native Android Automotive integration that feels more modern to the touch, a well-resolved vertical central screen and an interior ambience that favours Nordic minimalism over Japanese warmth. There is no clear winner here: it depends on the kind of experience each driver is looking for.

Range and charging: the big contrast

This is probably where the comparison becomes most interesting. The RZ, with a smaller battery, achieves a homologated range very similar to the Polestar’s thanks to its aerodynamic efficiency and a weight kept low for the segment. The Polestar 3, despite carrying 34 kWh more battery, offers a comparable WLTP range (around 560 km in the Performance version). In practice, those who cover many motorway kilometres will value the Lexus’s efficiency; those who prioritise recovering range quickly at a fast-charging point will likely lean towards the Polestar’s charging figures, although that specific data is not confirmed in the official specification sheet we have.

Power and dynamic behaviour

Here there is no contest. The Polestar 3’s 520 CV place it in a different performance category from the Lexus RZ’s 224 CV. It is quick, certainly, but it is not the answer if what you want is a premium SUV for everyday use: that extra power is paid for in consumption and, as we have seen, in a homologated range similar to the Lexus despite the larger battery. The more restrained RZ proves more coherent for intensive urban and interurban use.

Price and positioning: do they really compete?

And here comes the necessary clarification. Despite sharing a segment, the Lexus RZ 350e starts at approximately €52,000, while the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor is around €104,300. The gap is too large to speak of direct rivals in the same price bracket—in fact, it nearly doubles the initial outlay. These are the manufacturer’s recommended RRPs, without dealer discounts or public aid such as the Plan Auto+, which can significantly alter the final cost depending on the autonomous community. Always check the official website for the current price.

The Lexus score rests on its efficiency and entry price; the Polestar’s is slightly penalised by the range-to-price ratio, though it compensates with performance the RZ does not aim to match.

Which one to choose?

There is no single answer. If the criterion is rational—total cost of ownership, real-world range, efficiency—the Lexus RZ comes out clearly ahead. If you are looking for a premium electric SUV with a sporting character and the budget to match, the Polestar 3 offers an experience the Japanese model cannot replicate. Also review our ranking of premium electric SUVs with the best value for money and the guide on how to choose a comfortable premium SUV before deciding, because ride comfort weighs as heavily as the technical specification in this type of purchase.

Frequently asked questions

Do the Lexus RZ and the Polestar 3 compete in the same price range?
Not exactly. The RZ 350e starts at around €52,000, while the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor is around €104,300. Both are premium electric SUVs, but they target very different budgets.

Which model has more range?
Both homologate around 560 kilometres. The Lexus RZ 350e achieves this with a 77 kWh battery, while the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor Performance Pack fits a 111 kWh battery.

Which is more powerful?
The Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor, with around 520 CV compared with the 224 CV of the Lexus RZ 350e, a difference that translates directly into dynamic performance.

Do the prices include discounts or public aid?
No. These are manufacturer’s recommended RRPs, without dealer promotions or aid such as the Plan Auto+, which may reduce the final price under current conditions, checkable on the official website.