Polestar, owned by Geely, has announced the Polestar 7, a forthcoming “compact SUV” that will serve as the entry point to their growing electric vehicle lineup. This strategic move positions Polestar to compete in the high-volume segment of the EV market, directly challenging premium electric offerings from brands like BMW and Mini, as well as mainstream competitors such as Tesla, Kia, and Hyundai.
The Polestar 7 will also face competition from within the Geely ecosystem, including Volvo’s smaller EX models, Smart #1 and #3, and Zeekr X. This internal rivalry highlights the intense competition in the burgeoning electric SUV market.
Contrary to some expectations that it might replace the Polestar 2 sedan, this new compact SUV is designed to expand Polestar’s reach. Significantly, unlike many of its stablemates, the Polestar 7 will be manufactured in Europe, not China. This decision is likely influenced by the increasing threat of tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles in the current global geopolitical climate, ensuring smoother market access and potentially appealing to European consumers.
According to Polestar, the 7 will debut a brand-new architecture, rather than utilizing an existing platform like the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) that underpins the Polestar 4 and other Geely vehicles such as the Zeekr X and Volvo models. This commitment to a new architecture signifies a significant investment and a focus on bespoke engineering for the Polestar 7.
“Over time, from Polestar 7 onward, [Polestar] will gradually move from a multi-platform approach [of the current brand line-up] to one single architecture, reducing complexity, costs, and investments,” the company stated in its announcement. This strategic shift towards a unified architecture suggests a long-term vision for streamlining Polestar’s vehicle development and production processes.
While an official launch date is yet to be revealed, the Polestar 7 is expected to follow the Polestar 5 four-seat grand tourer, which is slated for release in late 2025. The Polestar 5, with its advanced 800-volt architecture and custom bonded-aluminum platform, is positioned higher in Polestar’s model hierarchy, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to both premium and volume segments.
Specific details about the Polestar 7 remain scarce. However, it is reasonable to expect that the newcomer will at least match the specifications of the Zeekr X, which offers single-motor (200kW) and dual-motor (315kW) variants, equipped with 64kWh batteries and a claimed range exceeding 400km. This benchmark suggests Polestar 7 will deliver competitive performance and range in the compact electric SUV category.
Polestar openly acknowledges that the ‘7’ model is intended to boost the brand’s global sales, which have been below initial expectations. However, the European manufacturing location of the Polestar 7 could impact its affordability, particularly if the compact SUV is introduced to markets like Australia. The balance between build quality, European production costs, and competitive pricing will be crucial for Polestar 7’s success in the global EV market.
