Geely-owned Polestar today outlined that its forthcoming new Polestar 7 nameplate will be affixed to a “compact SUV” as an entry point to the brand’s existing and expanding line-up.
Clearly positioned in a more volume-selling end of the EV market, the Polestar 7 will take on small-segment premium electrics from the likes of BMW and Mini as well as mainstream small and mid-size offerings from Tesla, Kia and Hyundai.
Other rivals will include Geely bedfellows in Volvo’s smaller EX models, Smart #1 and #3, and Zeekr X.
Widely mooted as a replacement to the ageing Polestar 2 sedan, the new compact SUV will not be manufactured in China, like many of its more upmarket stablemates, but in Europe. This is sure at least in part influenced by the threat of emerging tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles in the current global geo-political climate.
According to its maker, the Polestar 7 is set to debut a new architecture, rather than adopt an existing platform, such as the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) underpinning Polestar 4 and other Geely products such as Zeekr X and Volvo.
“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 announced.
While no formal timing has been announced, the compact SUV will follow on from the brand’s next release, the Polestar 5 four-seat grand tourer, set for late 2025 release. With its 800-volt architecture and bespoke bonded-aluminium platform, Polestar 5 is positioned well up the brand’s model hierarchy.
No other details have been revealed for Polestar 7 as yet. Though it’s feasible the newcomer will at least match the credentials of the current Zeekr X, which is offered in 200kW single-motor and 315kW dual-motor guises, with 64kWh batteries and plus-400km range claims.
While Polestar openly admits the ‘7’ aims to bolster what have been lower-than-expected global sales for the brand, its Euro build might affect its ultimate affordability if the compact SUV joins the Australian line-up.
