Overview
With a sleek new look, an attractive estimated driving range, and an accessible price tag the 2024 Tesla Model 3 remains a compelling choice for new car buyers who want to go green. The electric sedan changed the rules of the game when it debuted for the 2017 model year, as it brought EV pricing down far enough to fit into the budgets of a broader swath of U.S. households. It’s not perfect though; the Model 3 has suffered from poor fit-and-finish from the outset, its cabin is snug, and its standard equipment list is missing desirable features such as Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Model 3 also lacks physical controls for almost all functions. Aside from a steering wheel, pedals, and window switches, there are few buttons; to do simple things such as adjust the exterior mirrors or steering column you must interact with the large infotainment display on the dashboard. Unfortunately for Tesla, a rash of similarly priced rivals have launched an assault into its territory, and they’re making headway: the BMW i4, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Polestar 2 all provide similar packages at similar prices with fewer compromises.
What’s New for 2024?
The Model 3 has received a welcome styling refresh for 2024, complete with a sleeker front end, a quieter cabin, and updated standard features. While the changes in the Model 3’s styling are small tweaks they make a big impact, and the car looks fresher and more upscale than before. The interior receives updated materials that are said to be of better quality; Tesla also claims to have used more sound-deadening materials and installed more acoustic glass to help drown out road noise. The steering wheel has been redesigned and the steering column sheds blinker and transmission-shifter stalks, while the seats wear a new perforated upholstery and support ventilation for front-seat riders. Rear seat passengers are now treated to their own 8.0-inch display with which to adjust climate controls or even watch Netflix. We expect the updated 2024 Tesla Model 3 to appear on the company’s website for ordering before the end of 2023.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The 2024 Tesla Model 3 is expected to start at about $42,000 and go up to about $55,000. The base trim level comes with just one motor driving the rear wheels, but all others have two motors and all-wheel drive. The base rear-wheel-drive model is a good value, but its 272 miles of EPA-estimated driving range may not be enough to eliminate range anxiety for some drivers. We’d recommend the Long Range model that offers an estimated 333 miles of driving per charge. All Model 3s come standard with heated and ventilated front seats, navigation, and Tesla’s Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
As with most EVs, the Model 3 gains speed quickly, smoothly, and almost silently, with the electric motor providing a strong punch from a stop. And it’s fast—extremely so in some trims. The rear-wheel-drive Long Range model we tested sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The Model 3 Performance rockets to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds—0.5-second faster than our long-term Model 3 Long Range. Like all Teslas, the Model 3 carries its battery under the floor, resulting in a low center of gravity. This helps it change direction crisply and feel planted and stable in corners. The steering is accurate and well-weighted, with three different settings that adjust the level of steering effort. The ride is firm without being harsh; without the noise of a gas-powered engine, however, you do hear plenty of road noise inside the cabin as the tires thwack and thrum over pavement imperfections.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
Three distinct Model 3 trims are offered, each with a different estimated driving range. The base rear-wheel-drive model is the most affordable, with a claimed range of 272 miles. Upgrading to the Long Range or Performance models increases the Model 3’s estimated range to 315 miles for the Performance and an impressive 333 for the Long Range. Of course, this distance isn’t easy to achieve, as we found in our long-term Long Range Model 3 test vehicle. The Model 3 offers several different options for charging: Tesla’s network of fast-charging stations called Superchargers, adapters for DC public-charging stations, 240- and 120-volt outlets, and a home-charging station.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The various versions of the Model 3 are rated between 113 MPGe and 138 MPGe by the EPA. Our test vehicle, however, managed only 84 MPGe when we took it on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test. The Model 3 comes standard with aluminum wheels that are covered by plastic aerodynamic hubcaps. We wanted to know how much impact those hubcaps have on the car’s driving range, so we tested it and were surprised to find that they helped more than expected. For more information about the Model 3’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
We’re not exaggerating when we say that the Tesla Model 3 has an interior unlike any other car on the market today. It’s shockingly simple inside, with nearly everything controlled by the monolithic touchscreen in the center of the dashboard. Buttons on the steering wheel control things like the exterior side view mirrors, the position of the steering column, and even the turn signals—and we wish those controls were of the conventional design instead. The Tesla’s low, flat floor makes for a spacious and airy feel inside. The front seats are supportive and comfortable, but the rear seats are positioned low and are cramped and uncomfortable; don’t expect adults to be able to spend long periods of time in them. Folding the 60/40 split-folding rear seats is simple and expands the trunk space considerably. The Model 3’s seatbacks fold flat, too, providing an uninterrupted cargo floor for hauling larger items. With the rear seats folded, the Model 3 provides enough room for 15 carry-on suitcases. There are also generously sized bins and cubbies throughout the cabin.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Navigation, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity are standard, but the Model 3 is, oddly, not available with AM radio or SiriusXM satellite radio. Several internet-streaming radio options are standard. It also can’t be equipped with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. To make charging-station layovers more bearable, the Model 3 offers plenty of entertainment options on its central display, including Netflix, YouTube, and a host of arcade games. Mounted to the rear of the center console is an 8.0-inch touchscreen that provides rear-seat passengers access to climate control and infotainment features.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Although we question whether the name Autopilot is misleading, the driver-assist system has one of the best feature sets in the industry, with smooth operation and impressive capabilities such as automatic lane changes. For more information about the Model 3’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Tesla’s overall warranty coverage is among the longest in the EV segment, but it’s disappointing that the coverage doesn’t include corrosion protection. The Long Range model includes an additional 20,000 miles on the coverage period of its battery and drive components.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2019 Tesla Model 3 Long Range
Vehicle Type: front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $49,690/$57,690
POWERTRAIN
Front: induction AC motor, 184 hp, 177 lb-ft;
Rear: permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, 241 hp, 298 lb-ft; 80.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack
Transmission: 1-speed direct drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.6-in vented disc/13.2-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy MXM4
235/45R-18 98W M+S T0
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.2 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 72.8 in
Height: 56.8 in
Passenger Volume: 97 ft3
Cargo Volume: 15 ft3
Curb Weight: 4038 lb
C/D
TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.1 sec
100 mph: 9.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.6 sec @ 112 mph
130 mph: 18.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.2 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 145 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 172 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g
C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 85 MPGe
EPA
FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 116/120/112 MPGe
Range: 310 miles
2019 Tesla Model 3 Dual Motor Performance
VEHICLE TYPE
front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE AS TESTED
$66,190 (base price: $58,190)
POWERTRAIN
F: induction AC motor, R: permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor
Combined Power (C/D est): 470 hp
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 75.0 kWh
TRANSMISSIONS
direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 14.0-in vented disc/13.2-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, 235/35R-20 92Y Extra Load T0
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.2 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 72.8 in
Height: 56.8 in
Passenger volume: 97 ft3
Trunk volume: 15 ft3
Curb weight: 4072 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.1 sec
100 mph: 8.2 sec
1/4 mile: 11.6 sec @ 115 mph
130 mph: 16.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 3.3 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 1.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 1.7 sec
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 162 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 147 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.96 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
75-mph highway driving: 94 MPGe
Highway range: 220 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 116/120/112 MPGe
Range: 310 miles
