Name: New Tesla Model 3 models and Specifications
Brand: Tesla

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With a claimed 0-62mph time of just 5.8 seconds and a claimed range of 344 miles we don't see why you'd need to step up to the Long Range Model 3. 

Long Range RWD

The Long Range has (yep you guessed it) the longest range of any Model 3. The Model 3 to go for if you regularly need to make trips of more than 200 miles.

Long Range AWD

Performance AWD

The entry-level RWD comes very well equipped with plenty of luxuries, including climate control, adaptive cruise control, faux-leather seats (heated and ventilated in the front and heated in the rear), a heated steering wheel and keyless entry using an app on your smartphone. It is therefore our favourite model. 

The entry-level RWD comes very well equipped with&nbsp;plenty of luxuries, including climate control, adaptive cruise control, faux-leather seats (heated and ventilated in the front and heated in the rear), a heated steering wheel and keyless entry using an app on your smartphone. It is therefore our favourite model.&nbsp;

MODEL 3

Other than an upgraded 17-speaker stereo system (instead of 14), there’s no equipment difference between the Long Range and the entry-level RWD.

Other than an upgraded 17-speaker stereo system (instead of 14), there’s no equipment difference between the Long Range and the entry-level RWD.

Long Range

Performance

Saloon

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

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TESLA

Performance AWD 4dr Auto

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RWD 4dr Auto

Long Range RWD 4dr Auto

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Long Range AWD 4dr Auto

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Tesla Model 3

The Model 3 is a saloon, so its boot opening&nbsp;isn’t huge but there’s more space for luggage in the two boots&nbsp;than you’ll find in petrol executive cars (the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a>&nbsp;for example), as well as many electric rivals, including the i4, BYD Seal, Ioniq 6, Polestar 2 and VW ID 7.

Two boots? Yes –&nbsp;as well as the 425-litre rear boot with a&nbsp;huge well under floor, there's a "frunk" under the bonnet. We managed to squeeze in an impressive total of nine <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-cars-with-the-biggest-boots/n18791">carry-on suitcases</a>. A buggy or a couple of&nbsp;sets of golf clubs shouldn't prove a problem.

All versions have&nbsp;an electric tailgate that can be opened and closed using the touchscreen, from the Tesla app on your phone or by pressing a button on the boot lid itself.

<h2>“The Model 3 is spacious in the rear, but I found the&nbsp;knees-up seating position&nbsp;a little uncomfortable after a while.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

The latest Model 3's build quality is definitely the best we’ve seen from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/tesla">Tesla</a>. Our test cars have been more than&nbsp;a match for the Seal&nbsp;and roughly on a par with the pricier ID 7.

There are soft-touch materials everywhere you look, and while the faux leather on the seats and steering wheel doesn’t feel quite as premium as the leather you can have in a i4, everything else feels tactile and pleasant.

<h2>“While the steering wheel-mounted controls in the Tesla Model 3 – which you use for the likes of the indicators and windscreen wipers – look simple enough, I found that they weren't very intuitive to use, especially when I was going around a corner at the same time.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/steve-huntingford/n1018">Steve Huntingford, Editor</a></h2>

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The Tesla Model 3's dashboard looks as minimalist as a Scandinavian studio apartment. Unfortunately, that means everything from the door mirrors to the height and reach of the steering wheel must be adjusted using a combination of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment touchscreen</a> and scroll buttons on the steering wheel. It’s a frustrating process and not advisable while driving.

It's also a shame that the Model 3 doesn’t have stalks on its steering column. Instead, there are haptic buttons on the steering wheel to control the indicators, windscreen wipers and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-cruise-control-and-should-you-have-it-on-your-next-car/n26822">cruise control</a>. You do eventually get used to the arrangement, but it seems like a solution to a problem that didn't exist.

Aside from the questionable ergonomics, the Model 3's driving position is good. You sit relatively high up by<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/executive-cars/n2004"> executive saloon</a> standards (although lower than in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/polestar/2/hatchback/review/n21641">Polestar 2</a>), and the seat, steering wheel and pedals line up neatly.

OUR PICK

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

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All versions of the Model 3 come with plenty of luxuries, including climate control, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-cruise-control-and-should-you-have-it-on-your-next-car/n26822">adaptive cruise control</a>, faux-leather seats (heated and ventilated in the front and heated in the rear), a heated steering wheel and keyless entry using an app on your smartphone.

Other than an upgraded stereo system with 17 speakers instead of the standard&nbsp;14, there’s no equipment difference between the Long Range and the entry-level RWD. That's one of the reasons&nbsp;the RWD is our recommended version.

It’s a good thing the Model 3 is so well equipped as standard, because there's not&nbsp;much on the options list. Indeed, apart from metallic paint, a tow bar, different alloy wheel designs and white instead of black&nbsp;seats,&nbsp;the only options are&nbsp;Enhanced Autopilot and&nbsp;Full Self Driving Capability.

Those last two features&nbsp;allow the Model 3 to make lane changes on its own (just hit the indicator), and navigate itself when the Autopilot feature is enabled (you should always have your hands on the steering wheel and be ready to take over).

With Elon Musk’s well-publicised space ambitions and X ownership, there’s so much noise around&nbsp;Tesla you could almost forget it makes electric cars. Well it does – and the Tesla Model 3 is the best known.

The Model 3 is the US brand's smallest and cheapest model, sitting below the Model S luxury saloon, and the&nbsp;Model X and Model Y&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUVs</a> in the car maker's line-up.

It's roughly the same size as a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a> and there are three versions to choose from: the entry-level Model 3 RWD (for&nbsp;rear-wheel drive),&nbsp;a Long Range version designed to (you guessed it) give you a long&nbsp;range between charges, and an obscenely fast Performance model.

<h2 dir="ltr">Tesla Model 3 video review</h2>

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pQcClCbvg3w?si=L7vHlTj5WCd2vemL" width="560"></iframe>

In the ever-expanding world of executive electric cars, the Model 3's closest rivals are the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW i4</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/seal/saloon/review/n26074">BYD Seal</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/polestar/2/hatchback/review/n21641">Polestar 2</a>. You might also find yourself considering the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/ioniq-6/saloon/review/n25431">Hyundai Ioniq 6</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id7/saloon/review/n26282">VW ID 7</a>.

So do we consider the&nbsp;Tesla Model 3 to be one of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">best electric cars</a> you can get or are there better options out there? Read on to find out...

No one&nbsp;sitting in the front of a Tesla Model 3 is going to complain&nbsp;about space –&nbsp;no matter how tall they are. There’s also loads of room&nbsp;for odds and ends, with a couple of lidded cubbies between the front seats, as well as front door bins that can each take a big bottle of water.

The front seat area feels remarkably light and airy, thanks to&nbsp;a combination of tall side windows and a standard glass roof.

Compared with its rivals, the Model 3 is relatively light&nbsp;and that allows it to stay remarkably upright through turns while also generating plenty of grip.

It feels more keen to change direction than the Seal and ID 7&nbsp;plus its steering is super-accurate – although some drivers might prefer it to have a bit more heft when turning in to a corner.

The Model 3 isn't the most expressive car in the bends, with a neutral handling balance that inspires confidence but doesn't exactly thrill. If you want something more playful to drive, you might prefer the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW i4</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/seal/saloon/review/n26074">BYD Seal</a>. Or, if you're looking for a fun-to-drive&nbsp;executive car and don't need it to be electric,&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a>&nbsp;is a strong choice.

The Model 3 gets a big, bright 15.4in touchscreen that's pretty intuitive to use and quick to respond once you’ve made your selection. There are loads of useful features (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-sat-nav-apps/n24915">navigation</a>, web browsing and so on) plus entertainment apps, including Netflix, Spotify and a driving game&nbsp;controlled using the steering wheel and pedals.

You get two easily accessible wireless phone-charging mats below the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment screen</a> and a couple of high-powered USB-C ports for rapid device charging. Overall, it's a better system than you'll find in a Seal or Polestar 2 but not quite as easy to use as the iDrive system in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW i4</a>.&nbsp;

It's a bit disappointing that no&nbsp;Model 3 has <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>. You get a free data connection (for watching films, browsing the internet etc) for 30 days&nbsp;but after that you have to sign up to a subscription or use your smartphone's data allowance.

Even the entry-level Tesla Model 3 – the RWD, which has one electric motor –&nbsp;can officially sprint from&nbsp;0-60mph in a rapid 5.8 seconds. That's much quicker than the equivalent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/ioniq-6/saloon/review/n25431">Hyundai Ioniq 6</a> and on par with an entry-level <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW i4</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/seal/saloon/review/n26074">BYD Seal</a>.

The other two versions have two electric motors for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/4x4s-for-off-roading/n26188">four-wheel drive</a> and even more rapid performance. It’ll officially accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds, making it almost as quick as a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911 Carrera</a>.

Even that's nothing compared to the range-topping Model 3 Performance –&nbsp;618bhp monster can slingshot you to 60mph from a standstill in just 2.9 seconds. Experiencing full throttle is enough to rearrange your internal organs.

On standard 18in wheels, the RWD has an official range of 318&nbsp;miles, rising to 390 miles for the Long Range.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Performance has an official range of 328 miles.

As with all <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric cars</a>&nbsp;you should take those figures with a pinch of salt. In our 2024 winter <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/range-test-how-far-can-electric-cars-really-go/n24836">real range test</a>, a&nbsp;Long Range running on standard 18in aero alloys covered 293 miles before running out of&nbsp;charge. In warmer weather, we'd expected around 340 miles.

The Model 3 is well-equipped, good to drive and has a competitive range

Not only does the Model 3 have plenty of rear head and leg room, but thanks to tall side windows and that&nbsp;broad glass roof it also feels pleasingly airy – a compliment&nbsp;you can't pay the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW i4</a>. Middle rear passengers&nbsp;also&nbsp;have plenty of space for their knees and feet, with no central hump in the floor to straddle.

However, if you want a fully electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/executive-cars/n2004">executive car</a> with limo-like space in the back, we'd point you in the direction of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id7/saloon/review/n26282">VW ID 7</a>. In that car, six-footers have even more room to stretch out. The ID 7's&nbsp;rear bench also has the best under-thigh support of any car in the class, making it more comfortable for rear passenger on long journeys.

The Model 3 –&nbsp;like many <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric cars</a>&nbsp;– is whisper-quiet at town speeds, but as speeds increase you start to hear some wind noise from around the double-glazed but pillarless side windows.

You don’t get much&nbsp;road or suspension noise, which makes the Model 3 a relaxing long-distance companion. Our decibel meter showed that at motorway speeds there's nothing in it between a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW i4</a>, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/seal/saloon/review/n26074">BYD Seal</a> and a Model 3. Only a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id7/saloon/review/n26282">VW ID 7</a> is noticeably quieter.

The brakes are far less grabby than those in many electric cars. Some models' <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-regenerative-braking-and-how-does-it-work/n25212">regenerative braking systems</a>&nbsp;make it tricky to slow down smoothly&nbsp;but that's not the case with the Model 3.

<h2>“In our real-world tests, the Model 3 has consistently delivered better efficiency than any of its rivals.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/will-nightingale/n1020">Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor</a></h2>

The Model 3 comes with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty on most components. However, the battery and drive unit are covered separately for eight years and 100,000 miles on the entry-level (RWD) model, or eight years and 120,000 miles on the Long Range version. That covers the electrical bits against faults and guarantees a minimum 70% retention of battery capacity.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/tesla">Tesla</a> finished in a respectable tenth place (out of 32 car makers) in the 2023 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars/n26137">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;overall manufacturer league table. The Model 3 specifically did quite well too, coming eighth out of 20 models in the electric car category.

The Model 3's ride is firmer than in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id7/saloon/review/n26282">VW ID 7</a>&nbsp;but the upside is that&nbsp;body control is impressive on undulating country roads and the car never thumps or crashes over urban imperfections. The RWD and Long Range offer better&nbsp;ride comfort than the Seal, the Ioniq 6 and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/polestar/2/hatchback/review/n21641">Polestar 2</a>.

If comfort is a priority&nbsp;we'd suggest sticking with the standard 18in wheels rather than stepping up to the optional 19s. Why? Well,&nbsp;the tyres on the smaller wheels have&nbsp;a thicker, spongier sidewall that helps take the sting out of sharp-edged abrasions.

The Model 3 Performance has bespoke suspension and 20in alloys&nbsp;so it's noticeably firmer, but it's&nbsp;far from uncomfortable.

The Model 3 RWD is the cheapest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/tesla">Tesla car model</a> you can buy and undercuts pretty much every rival, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW i4</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/seal/saloon/review/n26074">BYD Seal</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/ioniq-6/saloon/review/n25431">Hyundai Ioniq 6</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/polestar/2/hatchback/review/n21641">Polestar 2</a>&nbsp;and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id7/saloon/review/n26282">VW ID 7</a>.

In the UK, the Model 3 – and indeed, any <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> – makes a huge amount of financial sense as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-company-cars/n22605">company car</a>&nbsp;because of the big <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/company-car-tax-guide/n9352">BIK&nbsp;tax</a> savings on offer. Plus, if you can charge your car at home, you’ll spend less on electricity than you would on fuel for a petrol or diesel car.

It also gives you access to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/tesla-superchargers-everything-you-need-to-know/n26239">Tesla&nbsp;Supercharger network</a> and impressive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/fastest-charging-electric-cars/n26105">maximum charging speeds</a>&nbsp;(up to 170kW for the RWD and 250kW for the Long Range), allowing you to charge the battery (from 10-80%) in less than 30 minutes. You have to pay each time, but the price is reasonable, and the network is more extensive and reliable than any other.

Of course, you can still charge up at any CCS <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/electric-car-charging-networks-rated/n23269">public charging point</a> if you need to, but it will take longer. A full 0-100% charge at home using a 7kW charger takes around 12 hours in a Model 3 Long Range, and roughly nine hours in the entry-level RWD model.

The Model 3 did very well when it was tested by <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> – getting high scores for its ability to protect occupants in a collision and help you avoid a crash in the first place. The suite of standard safety aids includes&nbsp;blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>).

As well as the usual security kit, there's&nbsp;Sentry mode, which uses the car’s external cameras to start recording if someone approaches the car, and&nbsp;saves&nbsp;the footage to a USB drive. If anyone damages your car or tries to break in, you'll have a record of it.

<h2 dir="ltr">“The Model 3 has a lower starting price than most of its rivals – something that's particularly impressive when you factor in how much equipment it comes with as standard.” – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/claire-evans/n1100">Claire Evans, Consumer Editor</a></h2>

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The Model 3’s rear seatback splits in a 60/40 arrangement and can be folded down when you need to carry long loads.&nbsp;

Many rivals –&nbsp;including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/ioniq-6/saloon/review/n25431">Hyundai Ioniq 6</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/polestar/2/hatchback/review/n21641">Polestar 2</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;also have 60/40 split-folding rear seats, but the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW i4</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id7/saloon/review/n26282">VW ID 7</a> offer&nbsp;a more flexible 40/20/40 split as standard.

There are no clever features, such as sliding or reclining rear seats, in the Model 3, but then you don't find them in&nbsp;non-electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/executive-cars/n2004">executive cars</a>&nbsp;either.

model-3

long-range

performance

The Tesla Model 3 is good to drive, packed full of tech, fast and even reasonably practical. It’s also competitively priced and well equipped, and when you factor in its long range and Tesla's world-beating charging infrastructure, it's a brilliant choice. We reckon the RWD version is the best buy.

The front windscreen pillars are thick and angled in such a way that they can badly hamper your view out at junctions. How badly will depend on your height&nbsp;and your general driving position, but it's fair to say that the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/seal/saloon/review/n26074">BYD Seal</a> and Polestar 2 are no better in this regard.

More positively, the view out of the back is pretty good and all versions come with front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera.

The standard LED headlights illuminate the road ahead well, although you can't have the matrix headlights available on some executive cars, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW&nbsp;i4</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id7/saloon/review/n26282">VW ID 7</a>.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.

Electric

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.

The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes.

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