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

rwd-4dr-auto

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. 

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

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

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

Long Range AWD 4dr Auto

long-range-awd-4dr-auto

RWD 4dr Auto

Tesla Model 3

The Model 3 is a saloon, so its boot aperture isn’t huge. However, there’s more space for luggage than you’ll find in conventional executive rivals (the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/saloon/review/n105">Audi A4</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a>&nbsp;for example)&nbsp;as well as many electric alternatives, including the i4, BYD Seal, Ioniq 6, Polestar 2 and VW ID 7.

That’s thanks partly to a huge well under the main boot floor, but also the extra storage in the "frunk" under the bonnet. In total, we managed to squeeze in an impressive total of nine carry-on suitcases into the Model 3's two boots. 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 dir="ltr">Practicality&nbsp;overview</h2>

Strengths&nbsp;Big boot with lots of underfloor storage; good read head and leg room; plenty of storage in the front

Weaknesses&nbsp;Saloon boot hinders practicality; and ID 7 is even roomier in the back

The 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>&nbsp;and it's more than&nbsp;a match for the Seal, and roughly on a par with the pricier ID 7.

There are soft-touch materials everywhere you touch, and while the faux leather on the seats and steering wheel doesn’t feel quite as premium as the leather you can have in an&nbsp;i4, everything else feels tactile and pleasant.

<h2 dir="ltr">Interior overview</h2>

Strengths&nbsp;Minimalist interior feels upmarket; infotainment system is quick and packed with features; plenty of parking aids come as standard

Weaknesses&nbsp;Windscreen pillars hamper visibility at junctions;&nbsp;lack of stalks can be fiddly; speedo is on the central touchscreen

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

To keep the Tesla Model 3's dashboard looking as minimalist as a Scandinavian studio apartment, everything from the door mirrors to the height and reach of the steering wheel must be adjusted using a combination of the big central touchscreen and scroll buttons on the steering wheel. It’s a frustrating process and not advisable while driving.

We also don’t like that the Model 3 doesn’t have stalks on its steering column. Instead, there are haptic buttons on the steering to control the indicators, windscreen wipers and cruise control. You do eventually get used to it, 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 still lower than in the Polestar 2), and the seat, steering wheel and pedals line up neatly.

OUR PICK

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

http://example.com

long-range-awd

All versions of the Model 3 come 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.

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 why the RWD is our recommended version.

It’s a good thing the Model 3 is so well equipped as standard, because there isn’t much on the options list. Indeed, apart from metallic paint,&nbsp;different alloy wheel designs and white (instead of black) seats,&nbsp;the only options are 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), steer itself into a parking space and even be "summoned"&nbsp;with&nbsp;a smartphone app at very low speeds. So, if someone parks too close in a car park for you to open the doors, you can drive it out of the space using your phone.

What with owner Elon Musk’s space ambitions and X/Twitter purchase, there’s so much noise around&nbsp;Tesla that you could almost forget that the company makes cars. Well, it does – and its best-known model is the Tesla Model 3.

The Model 3 is&nbsp;a fully&nbsp;electric car, and is also the US brand’s smallest and cheapest model. It sits&nbsp;below&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> luxury saloon, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla Model X</a> and Model Y&nbsp;SUVs in the car maker's (all-electric) 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 two versions to choose from: an entry-level, rear-wheel drive, and a Long Range version designed to (yep, you guessed it) maximise the range between charges.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pQcClCbvg3w?si=L7vHlTj5WCd2vemL" width="560"></iframe>

In the ever-expanding world of electric cars, the Model 3's closest rivals are the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i4/hatchback/review/n23575">BMW i4</a>, BYD Seal 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>, or possibly higher-riding options, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/genesis/gv60/estate/review/n24373">Genesis GV60</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/ev6/estate/review/n23462">Kia EV6</a>.

So, is the&nbsp;Tesla Model 3 better than those rival <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric cars</a>? 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, with a combination of tall side windows and a standard panoramic glass roof.

Compared with its rivals, the Model 3 is relatively light, and that allows it to stay remarkably upright through turns while also generating plenty of grip.

It feels even more keen to change direction than the ID 7 and the Seal, 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 is not the most expressive car in the bends, with a neutral handling balance that inspires confidence but doesn't thrill. If you want something a little more playful, you might prefer the Seal.

The Model 3 gets a big, bright 15.4in central infotainment touchscreen that is pretty intuitive to use and quick to respond once you’ve made your selection.

There are loads of useful features (navigation, web browsing and so on), apps (such as Netflix and Spotify) and some purely fun applications (driving games controlled using the steering wheel and the ability to make whoopee cushion noises to amuse your passengers).

You also get two easily accessible wireless phone-charging mats below the infotainment screen and a couple of high-powered USB-C ports for rapid device charging. Overall, it's a better system than you'll find in the Seal and Polestar 2, if not quite as easy to use as the iDrive system in the i4.&nbsp;

It's a bit disappointing that no 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> smartphone mirroring. You get a free data connection (for watching films, browsing the internet etc) for 30 days, but after that you have to sign up to a subscription or use your phone's data allowance.

Even the entry-level Tesla Model 3 – called the Rear-wheel Drive (RWD)&nbsp;– can officially sprint from&nbsp;0-60mph in a rapid 5.8 seconds. That's much quicker than the equivalent&nbsp;Hyundai Ioniq 6 and on par with an entry-level BMW i4 or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/seal/saloon/review/n26074">BYD Seal</a>.

The four-wheel-drive Long Range version benefits from two electric motors rather than one, so it's even quicker. It’ll officially accelerate from 0-60mph in just 4.2 seconds, making it just as quick as a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911 Carrera 4</a> and slightly faster than the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor. A VW ID 7 would be left way behind.

On standard 18in wheels, the RWD has an official range of 318&nbsp;miles, rising to 390 miles for the Long Range.&nbsp;It's&nbsp;worth taking these figures with a pinch of salt, though&nbsp;– in our 2024 winter real range test, a&nbsp;Long Range running on standard 18in aero alloys covered 293 miles before running out of&nbsp;charge. Expect a real-world range of around 340 miles in the summer months.

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 legroom, but thanks to tall side windows and a&nbsp;broad glass roof it also feels pleasingly airy – something you can't say about the i4. 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 car with limo-like space in the rear, 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 are able to stretch out behind a driver of a similar height, something that isn't possible in the Model 3. The ID 7's&nbsp;rear bench also has the best under-thigh support of any car in the class, making it comfortable on long journeys.

The Model 3 is, like many electric cars, whisper-quiet at town speeds, but as speeds increase you do start to hear some wind noise from around the double-glazed but pillarless side windows.

You don’t, however, get much&nbsp;road or suspension noise, which makes the Model 3 a relaxing long-distance companion. Indeed, when we got our decibel meter out it showed that at motorway speeds there's nothing in it between the i4, the Seal and the Model 3. Only the pricier&nbsp;ID 7 is noticeably quieter.

The brakes deserve a special mention for being far less grabby than those in many electric cars. They make it easy to slow down smoothly without your passengers thinking you’ve only just passed your driving test.

<h2 dir="ltr">Driving overview</h2>

Strengths Rapid acceleration; agile handling; great range between charges; true one-pedal driving

Weaknesses BYD Seal is more fun in the bends

The Model 3 comes with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. 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>. Meanwhile, the pre-facelift Model 3 did quite well too, coming eighth out of 20 models in the electric car category.

The ride is firmer than in an&nbsp;adaptive suspension-equipped&nbsp;ID 7, but the upside is that the Model 3 has&nbsp;impressive body control on undulating country roads and it never thumps or crashes over urban imperfections.

If you want the best ride possible we would suggest sticking with the 18in wheels rather than stepping up to the optional 19s because having a thicker, spongier sidewall helps to take the sting out of sharp-edged abrasions.

The Model 3 is the least expensive car&nbsp;Tesla makes, and our favourite&nbsp;entry-level&nbsp;RWD&nbsp;version undercuts pretty much every rival, including the BMW i4, BYD Seal, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Polestar 2&nbsp;and VW ID 7.

Like all pure electric cars, the Model 3 makes a huge amount of sense for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-company-cars/n22605">company car</a> drivers because of the enormous benefit-in-kind (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/company-car-tax-guide/n9352">BIK</a>) tax savings on offer. Plus, if you can charge your car at home, you’ll spend less on electricity than you would on petrol or diesel.

Buying a Model 3 gives you access to Tesla’s Supercharger network 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. That's a big reason to buy the Model 3 over, for example, the Polestar 2.

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 is one of the safest cars ever tested by <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> – it scored exceptionally well for its ability to protect occupants in an accident 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 for security, as well as the usual kit, there’s something called Sentry mode. When enabled, it uses the car’s external cameras to start recording when the car is approached after it’s locked, saving the footage to a USB drive. If anyone tries to break in&nbsp;or if someone drives into your Model 3 when it's parked up, the cameras will record it.

<h2 dir="ltr">Buying &amp; owning overview</h2>

Strengths&nbsp;Attractively priced; access to Tesla Supercharger network; all versions are&nbsp;well equipped; excellent Euro NCAP safety score

Weaknesses&nbsp;Huge price jump from RWD to the Long Range model

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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;

Some electric rivals, including the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the Polestar 2, have 60/40 split-folding rear seats too, but the BMW i4 and the iD 7 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 there aren't in any traditional <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/executive-cars/n2004">executive car</a> rivals&nbsp;either.

model-3

long-range

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 exceedingly 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 BYD Seal and the 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, along with a surround-view camera.

LED headlights are standard and illuminate very well, although you can't have the matrix headlights available on some executive cars, including the BMW&nbsp;i4 and VW ID 7, which shape their beams to avoid&nbsp;dazzling&nbsp;other drivers.

<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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