The Tesla Model 3 delivers an overall enjoyable driving experience. It’s nimble and quick, and its minimalistic interior design looks modern and upscale. Plenty of range and ease-of-charging are also high points. Build quality can be a bit of a dice roll, but ultimately there’s a lot of upside to the Model 3 for the price.
Pros
- Excellent range, performance and handling
- Comfortable seating and lots of interior room
- Access to Tesla’s prolific Supercharger fast-charging stations
Cons
- Touchscreen interface can lead to driver distraction
- No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support
What’s New
- No major changes so far for 2023
- Part of the first Model 3 generation introduced for 2017
Overview
The Tesla Model 3 is Tesla’s least expensive and most popular car. It’s been a huge success for the automaker since the first one rolled off the lines in 2017 and can easily be considered the brand’s bread and butter. With more than 300 miles of potential range on tap, the Model 3 is perfect for anyone who needs to scoot around a big city and can be stretched to work on longer road trips thanks to Tesla’s built-out nationwide network of fast-charging stations.
Tesla Model 3 EV Insights
Range
272 miles
EPA Estimated Range
EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 231 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent’s study of 15,000 EVs.
Charging at Home
10.4 hoursProprietary Tesla charging standard. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.
Total Charging Time (240V outlet)
EV Battery Warranty
8 yrs or 100,000 miles
It’s easy to recommend the Model 3 to people looking for their first EV. It offers a spacious interior, a comfortable ride, and an appealing blend of sharp handling and rapid acceleration. But the same can be said of the rival BMW i4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Polestar 2. These recently introduced EVs mean the Model 3 isn’t the only game in town anymore. Check out the Expert Rating below to learn more from our test team’s full evaluation of the 2023 Model 3.
What’s it like to live with?
Edmunds bought a 2017 Tesla Model 3 Long Range not long after it originally went on sale, keeping it for nearly two years and about 24,000 miles. Our car was an early model, so we had a few hiccups during our test, but many of them have since been addressed. Tesla has made a variety of improvements since then. But you can still glean many ownership insights by checking out our 2017 Tesla Model 3 Long Range coverage.
Expert Rating
Performance 8.5/10
How does the Model 3 drive? The Model 3 feels sporty and engaging thanks to strong off-the-line performance, intuitive and responsive steering, and nimble handling. The straight-line thrust we admired in the early Long Range models can still be found in the base model trim. In Edmunds’ testing, the base Model 3 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. That’s impressive for an EV with a single electric motor. The higher-end Long Range and Performance models that have dual electric motors are in another league of “quick.”
The base Model 3’s 18-inch all-season tires aren’t the grippiest, but they offer sufficient stick to live up to most of the spirited driving you’ll be doing on the street. True high-performance driving, however, is limited by the heavy-handed stability control. Still, this Tesla delivers a laudable driving experience for an EV.
Comfort 8.0/10
How comfortable is the Model 3? We found the Model 3 to be a relatively pleasant place to sit, and that feeling held up for hours at a time. Our one gripe involves the non-perforated leather seats — they don’t breathe all that well if you’re in a warmer climate. Otherwise, the seats are cushy and provide nice support.
You have to adjust the climate controls through the touchscreen. You even direct air flow from the vents by way of the screen. It’s a neat idea in theory, but we’ve found it’s distracting to do while driving. The cabin is quiet and keeps wind, electric propulsion and most road noise at bay. Ride comfort is agreeable most of the time, but it can sometimes feel overly busy if the road surface is broken or uneven.
Interior 8.0/10
How’s the interior? The Model 3’s controversial interior design looks modern and cutting-edge. The driving position is highly adjustable and feels great, and the cabin is surprisingly roomy thanks to its minimalistic approach and all-glass roof. Forward visibility is also fantastic thanks to the low hoodline.
The large 15-inch touchscreen is the control center for everything. While it doesn’t block your view, it commands a lot of your attention for too many routine tasks — such as adjusting the mirrors or turning on your windshield wipers — that should be doable without looking.
Technology 7.0/10
How’s the tech? The Model 3 navigation display is impressive because of its size, and it’s one of the few that pulls Google Maps data in real time. That sometimes means spotty information in areas with poor reception, but otherwise the interface is easy to use. The Autopilot traffic-aware cruise and lane management system is one of the better systems out there, and cruise control will even slow for approaching curves (though sometimes a bit too conservatively).
On the downside, the Model 3 lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. As such, you can’t integrate many of your smartphone’s apps into the touchscreen like you can in most rival cars. Bluetooth is the only way to bring your smartphone into the audio environment, which is not always as stable as being connected via USB. You can, however, stream content (usually only when parked) from places such as Hulu, Netflix and YouTube directly to the infotainment system.
Storage 8.0/10
How’s the storage? The Model 3’s trunk can hold far more than you’d expect thanks to a broad pass-through and SUV-like fold-flat rear seats. The trunk’s stated capacity (12.3 cubic feet) isn’t that impressive especially compared to the space in other mainstream electric vehicles, but we were surprised by what it could fit &mdash an extra-large mountain bike, for example. The Model 3 is also one of the few vehicles in the segment with a front trunk, providing a useful 2.7 cubic feet.
Inside, cabin storage is pretty decent. However, the front cupholders lack anti-tip tabs, so cups and bottles aren’t likely to fit snugly. The car seat anchors are tucked tightly between the seat cushions, so you must take care to avoid scratching the leather as you hook up. Once in, even rear-facing car seats will fit behind an average-size driver.
Range and Efficiency 8.0/10
How are the range and efficiency? We tested the base Model 3, and the EPA estimates that it can go 272 miles on a full charge. This is a respectable distance for an EV. However, in Edmunds’ real-world range test, the Model 3 came up a little short, managing just 261 miles before needing to be recharged. Other vehicles in the segment generally beat their range estimates in our testing.
On the upside, the Model 3’s EPA-estimated efficiency is great, especially for its performance output. The EPA estimates that the base Model 3 will use 25 kWh of electricity for 100 miles driven. A comparable Ford Mustang Mach-E, for example, would use 35 kWh/100 miles. Unlike a gas vehicle’s mpg, the lower the kWh number used for an EV, the better.
Value 8.0/10
Is the Model 3 a good value? Today’s Model 3 has improved in build quality over the early-production cars, but the consistency of quality is still an issue. Costs have risen across the board and the Model 3’s cost ultimately depends on your appetite for unlocking the Full Self-Driving Capability features. But show some restraint and you’ll have a genuinely luxurious Model 3 for a reasonable price.
The Model 3 comes with the usual assortment of charge cord options, including a standard 120-volt household adapter, a 240-volt SAE public charge equipment adapter and a NEMA 14-50 RV park adapter. Long-distance trips are pretty easy to do thanks to Tesla’s extensive nationwide network of quick-charging Supercharger stations.
The Model 3 is pretty comparable to other luxury electric vehicles in warranty coverage. But a big benefit to owning a Tesla are the periodic software upgrades and improvements beamed directly to your car over the air.
Wildcard 8.5/10
Never did we imagine a world in which we’d prefer driving an electric car to a BMW. But Tesla made that possible with the Model 3, at least in terms of comparing it against the latest BMW 3 Series. From its balanced chassis to the smooth, quiet and instantaneous electric propulsion, the Model 3 has altered our perceptions of what EV driving is all about.
While the Tesla brand still casts a glow of early-adopter cool over all its cars, the Model 3 has become a bit more vanilla over the years. The Model 3’s lack of customizable options means the chances of you seeing an identical Tesla to yours on the road is pretty high. The Model 3 is definitely due for a refresh especially with the growing EV competition in the market.
Which Model 3 is recommend?
Tesla’s straightforward lineup makes it pretty easy to decide which Model 3 to get. The base car presents the best value and the Performance is one to get if you want an EV sport sedan. Our expert’s favorite is the Long Range. It has the most range of the three versions, and it comes with all-wheel drive. While it’s not as quick as the Performance, it’s still mighty fun to drive.
Tesla Model 3 models
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 is a small all-electric sedan that’s available in three trim levels: base, Long Range and Performance. The trio varies by range and acceleration. Take note that Tesla offers rolling updates to its cars rather than by model year, so features and range may differ from what’s shown below.
Base Model 3
Offers an EPA-estimated 272 miles of range on a full charge as well as:
- Rear-wheel drive
- 7.6-kW onboard charger
- Max Supercharging of 170 kW
- Tesla-estimated 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds
- 18-inch wheels
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Panoramic glass roof
- Keyless entry and start
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Heated front and rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
Tech features for the base Model 3 include:
- Wireless charging for two smartphones
- 15-inch touchscreen with navigation
- Integrated audio, video streaming and gaming services (requires subscription)
- Tesla’s Autopilot, a suite of advanced driver aids that include:
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Model 3 and the car in front)
- Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
Long Range
Adds all-wheel drive and ups the estimated range to an EPA-estimated 358 miles. It also has:
- 11.5-kW onboard charger
- Max Supercharging of 250 kW
- Estimated 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds
- 13-speaker premium sound system
- Floor mats
Performance
Dials up the performance of the Long Range but at the expense of range, with a total estimated range of 315 miles. The Performance also has:
- Estimated 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds
- 20-inch wheels
- Carbon-fiber rear spoiler
- Aluminum pedals
- Sport suspension
- High-performance brakes
- Track-oriented driving mode
There are two available Autopilot upgrade packages. These are:
Enhanced Autopilot
- Integrated navigation capability while using Autopilot, such as on and off highway ramps
- Automated parking system (steers in and out of a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Full Self-Driving Capability
- Can potentially stop the Model 3 at stoplights and stop signs when Autopilot is engaged
- Additional features in the future, such as automated steering, that Tesla says will be released in via over-the-air updates
