System and method for robust sensorless control of permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance (PM-SyR) motor. The system and method includes startup control of a motor with known rotor position/speed, but unknown rotor magnetic polarity of a motor exhibiting rotor magnetic anisotropy or saliency. The system and method includes a rotor characteristic detection method for a PM-SyR motor that detects rotor magnetic polarity based on the variation of the inductance that is caused by the leakage flux paths in the rotor barrier bridges and utilizes the detected rotor magnetic polarity for improved motor startup.