Tesla Model 3 review

From Elon Musk’s late night tweets to seemingly endless speculation about share prices, there’s so much noise around Tesla that it’s sometimes easy to forget that the company makes cars.

Some of you will doubtless know plenty about this one already, but for those who don't, what exactly is the Tesla Model 3? Well, it's a fully electric car – Tesla doesn’t do petrols, diesels or even hybrids – and it’s the famous US brand’s smallest and cheapest model to date, sitting below the Model X SUV and the Model S luxury saloon.

The Tesla Model 3 is roughly the same size as a BMW 3 Series and there are currently three versions to choose from: an entry-level model called the Standard Range Plus, a Long Range version designed to maximise distances between charges, and a range-topping Performance variant that promises Porsche 911-beating acceleration. 

In the world of pure electric cars, the closest rival to the Model 3 is the Polestar 2, although you might also find yourself considering the cheaper Kia e-Niro, or possibly slightly pricier options such the Audi E-tron and Jaguar I-Pace. However, officially at least, the Model 3 can manage a greater distance between charges than any of those alternatives and it can charge up quicker, too, at one of the abundant Tesla Superchargers dotted around the country.

And despite the Model 3 being the latest model to join Tesla’s range, it has already been treated to a ‘mid-life’ facelift. The main changes include a selection of new wheel designs, black exterior detailing, better interior quality (more on that later), an electric tailgate, more efficient tyres and better efficiency in cold weather. Stay with us over the next few pages and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Model 3, including what it’s like to drive, how practical it is and how many miles it can really do on a charge.

We’ll also run you through some of the car’s impressive safety and self-driving tech, as well as some of the less serious aspects of Tesla Model 3 ownership (Netflix, anyone?). And, if you fancy taking the plunge, head on over to our New Car Buying service to put one on your driveway with no effort whatsoever.