Tesla Model 3 Review 2024

In this Tesla Model 3 review, you'll read the American firm's BMW 3 Series rival has the range, performance and charging network needed to make it one of the best electric saloons currently on sale amongst rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, BMW i4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

You don’t have to be an eager early-adopter to consider the Model 3. It’s a genuinely usable electric car with a relatively affordable price tag, generous range and minimalist cabin.

The Model 3 is available in three guises: the Standard Range Plus, the Long Range model and the range-topping Performance. The cheapest is the Standard Range Plus, which will make the most sense for the majority of buyers. It makes do with a single electric motor powering the wheels, providing impressive acceleration (0-60mph in 5.3 seconds) and an official WLTP range of 254 miles between charges.

While the Standard Range Plus is powered by an electric motor powering the rear axle, the Long Range and Performance versions have an extra electric motor driving the front wheels, making them both all-wheel drive. As their names suggest, the Long Range focuses on range, capable of covering 348 miles between charges (and accelerating to 60mph in 4.4 seconds), while the Performance is all about chasing supercars. This will reach 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, making it one of the fastest electric cars around, and cover 329 miles between charges.

Driving the Model 3 takes a little acclimatisation compared to other cars. Pretty much everything is operated through the large, tablet-like infotainment display that's situated at the centre of the dashboard. This seems excessive at first, but the truth is that the majority of features you’ll access when parked up, at which points it’s simple and intuitive to use. Once on the move, anything you do need is easy to access and no more confusing than infotainment systems used in rival vehicles.

There are a few quirks - the flashing indicator lights on the central screen, for example, and the lack of conventional dials above the steering wheel (again, information such as your current speed are shown on the infotainment display). 

Once you’ve got your head around these features, the Model 3 is a wonderfully easy car to drive. Just the two pedals, obviously, and probably the best all-around visibility of any car on sale. Acceleration is instant thanks to its electric drive, and even the most affordable model feels ultra quick.

Is it entertaining? Yes. Even if you’re used to a BMW 3 Series - traditionally the driver’s car of this price point - you’ll enjoy driving the Model 3. Probably more so. The steering is direct and, with the electric motor driving the rear wheels on the standard model, you can feel the Model 3 being pushed rather than pulled through the bends.

One advantage of a Tesla over other electric cars is access to the firm's Supercharger network. This is a network of rapid chargers located at convenient locations across the country (usually motorway services) and only open to Teslas. Unlike other models, this isn't free to use with the Model 3 - but you're looking at about £15 to fully charge a Standard Range Plus.

Whether you're a Tesla fan or not, the Model 3 is objectively a very convincing electric car. It's priced right to make it a competitive alternative to other EVs, as well as mainstream petrol and diesel models. Not only will it travel far enough before charging to quash any range anxiety concerns, it's also fun to drive and has a trendy, minimalist cabin.

The Tesla Model 3's dimensions are 4694mm long, 1849mm wide and 1443mm tall – making it roughly the same size as a small executive saloon like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. 

The Model 3 is on of the best electric family cars on sale. spacious enough, with the driver finding a comfortable seating position easy to find and plenty of space for adult passengers in the front and rear. While legroom is comparable to a BMW 3 Series, it feels much less claustrophobic in the back thanks to the standard panoramic sunroof. The flat floor helps with legroom, too, while there are ISOFIX points on the outer rear seats for fitting child seats.

Up front, there's a generous amount of storage, including a large centre console with a surprising amount of space. There's a decently-sized cubby box, too - although only accessible via the touchscreen system.

As a saloon, access to the boot is a little tight, but the Tesla Model 3's 425-litre boot is about average for this size of car. There's also a useful second boot in the front (another advantage of not having a conventional engine), while the rear seats can be dropped easily on all models should you need to carry bigger loads.

Alongside premium alternatives from Mercedes-Benz and Audi, interiors of other Tesla models have fallen short with poor build quality and brittle materials. But, while the Model 3 still isn't as cosseting as it could be, it feels well screwed together and we love the minimalist approach.

There's a huge 15-inch landscape media screen in the centre of the dash providing access to most of the car's features. Whether it's turning the lights on, adjusting the temperature or accessing your music, almost everything is done via this screen. Not everyone will appreciate this - some drivers still prefer a dash filled with knobs and buttons - but it's something you'll soon get used to.

Tesla likes to do things its own way, so it's no surprise that there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Fortunately, the Model's 3 navigation and entertainment system is easy to use, although the entry-level model doesn't come with live traffic updates. You can access features like Spotify, though, giving you access to your music on the move. 

You get three versions of the Tesla Model 3 to choose from.

The basic model called simply the 'Model 3' is priced from £45,990, has a 305mile range, gets from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds and has a top speed of 140mph. While a basic Ioniq 5 is cheaper (£39,840) it can't match the Tesla's performance or range.

Sitting in the middle of the line-up is the £54,990 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, which gets from 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds, has a 145mph top speed and a range of 374 miles. It's one of the best long range electric cars currently on sale. 

Finally, there's the £59,990 Performance model, which has a 340mile range, gets from 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds and has a top speed of 162mph. 

The basic Tesla Model 3 has a 50kWh battery, while the rest of the range has a 75kWh battery. As a result, charging times vary from more than 24 hours (using a three-prong plug at home) to less than an hour using a public fast charger.  Charging the battery could cost less than £10 if you have a cheap energy tariff and charge at home. Charging using a fast public charger will cost double that or more. 

If you've never driven an electric car before, the Model 3 will be a revelation. It's easy to drive - just like a conventional automatic car, there are two pedals and steering wheel, but there's no need to start the engine or select a gear. You just select drive, press the accelerator and go.

Like any other electric vehicle, acceleration is instant thanks to Tesla's single-gear electric motors. Even the standard model is a lot of fun to drive, with more than enough performance for the majority of drivers. It'll very quickly build up speed on a motorway slip road and overtaking is easy.

With one electric motor powering the rear axle, the entry-level car feels very agile - you can tell the car's being pushed through bends rather than pulled through them, allowing the steering to feel direct and sporty (if a little lifeless). The more expensive models add an extra electric motor to the front axle, providing extra traction and even faster acceleration.

The batteries are located under the floor, helping to lower the car's centre of gravity, although you're always aware that the Model 3 is a rather heavy car. As such, the ride is firm (we'd recommend the 18-inch wheels if you're concerned about ride quality), but it tackles bumpy roads fairly well despite this. 

Around town, the Model 3 is a lot of fun, with its excellent visibility and instant acceleration giving you the confidence to drive assertively. Features like the standard reversing camera and light steering makes it an easy car to park, too.

Even the basuc Tesla Model 3 is one of the quickest electric cars on sale. Even the basic car will get from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds, while the Long Range does it in 4.2 seconds - quicker than a BMW M340i performance saloon. The big daddy, though, is the Performance model – it gets from 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds (or faster than a Lamborghini Huracan). 

The Tesla Model 3 got a five-star safety rating when it was crash tested in 2019 and you can boost safety still further by choosing from two packs.

Enhanced Autopilot (£3400) means the car can follow its own sat-nav directions (to a point), change lane automatically and can be summoned to meet you using an app on your mobile phone.

Spec the £6800 Full Self-Driving Capability instead and you get all the functions of Enhanced Autopilot, plus the car can brake automatically for stop signs and red lights, and steer itself in town. 

It's worth noting that the Model 3 is rated for towing. With the factory-fitted tow hitch, the Standard Range Plus and Long Range models can tow up to 910kg. The Performance model is available with a towing capacity of up to 500kg.

All Tesla Model 3s come with a basic autopilot system that can accelerate and brake the car independently and Sentry Mode – which keeps an eye on your car when it's parked, filming hit and runs and vandalism. More humdrum standard fittings include a panoramic glass roof, wireless phone charging, a heated steering wheel and front seats. All models also get a 15-inch portrait display that has Bluetooth and sat-nav but not Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. 

The Model 3 Long Range model adds heated front and rear seats, premium audio (14 speakers, one subwoofer, two amps and immersive sound), premium connectivity for one year (including live traffic updates, in-car internet streaming music and media, internet browser, more frequent over-the-air updates), LED fog lights, interior floor mats.

The Model 3 Performance features 20-inch alloy wheels, performance brakes, carbon fibre spoiler, lowered suspension, aluminium alloy pedals, and a track mode.