2024 Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is one of the best all-around EVs with impressive range, advanced tech, and engaging performance, all at an attainable price. Pricing starts at $38,990.

The Tesla Model 3 has plenty going for it. It has up to 341 miles of range and a sub-$40k starting price for starters. This electric vehicle (EV) also delivers an engaging driving experience, access to over 50,000 Tesla Superchargers around the globe, and the latest technology on offer, like a backseat screen, Autopilot, and the available Full Self-Driving Capability. Barring occasional hassles when getting the car serviced, the Model 3 checks many boxes for electric car shoppers. We’re not surprised that the practical and high-tech Tesla Model 3 is one of America’s best-selling EVs.

What’s New?

A refreshed version of the Model 3 has arrived in the U.S. in 2024. The updated Model 3 comes with an exterior styling refresh with improved aerodynamics, which Tesla claims improves the car’s range by about 10%. Interior improvements include an 8-inch screen for the backseat passengers, ventilated front seats, ambient interior lighting, a 17-speaker audio system, and a bigger rear trunk. Tesla claims it’s made fit and finish improvements in the body. Time will tell whether this update remedies some of the build-quality issues our readers have seen in earlier iterations of the Model 3.

Curiously, Tesla has lowered the governed top speed of the Model 3. The Long Range model used to have a claimed top speed of 145 mph, but now, it’s 125 mph for both trims. Also, the Performance trim has been discontinued, hopefully temporarily. This Tesla is far from boring to drive, but we hope to see a sportier version of the Model 3 resurface soon.

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 starts at $38,990. That’s for the single-motor model with rear-wheel drive. The more popular dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Long Range model begins at $45,990. The Tesla Model 3 is arguably the best bargain in electric sedans. Its closest rivals are the Hyundai Ioniq 6, starting at $42,450, and the Polestar 2, beginning at $49,900.

The Tesla Model 3 Long Range is priced comparably to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE with the dual-motor powertrain. In these respective configurations, the Tesla has more range (341 miles vs. 316 miles) and slightly quicker acceleration (0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds vs 4.3 seconds). The significant advantage of the Hyundai is a better warranty.

The new Model 3 is ineligible for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Previously, the Performance model qualified for the credit, but this year’s refresh nixed that trim.

These are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and don’t include the $1,390 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

Before buying a Model 3, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Tesla Model 3 resale value is better than average for the segment.

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range is powered by a dual-motor electric powertrain with all-wheel drive (AWD). Tesla doesn’t provide official power or torque ratings, but it estimates a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds in this configuration. Not long ago, that kind of acceleration was reserved for pricey performance cars and sports sedans, but quick and smooth acceleration is one of the calling cards of the Tesla brand. Electric or not, we love having this kind of performance in a practical car you can drive every day.

The floor-mounted battery contributes to a low center of gravity, with the effect of enhancing stability. The Model 3 changes direction quickly and calmly through a set of quick corners. The suspension is taut but still comfortable. One aspect we really like is the ability to fine-tune functions such as steering, braking, and accelerator pedal responses to be sporty or more relaxed to suit the tastes of each driver.

The base rear-wheel-drive (RWD) model is a little tamer but still enjoyable to drive. It has a single electric motor powering the rear wheels with a more-than-adequate 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds.

As for driving autonomy, three different levels are available in the Model 3. The standard Autopilot and available Enhanced Autopilot systems make highway driving nearly effortless. Opting for Full Self-Driving Capability gives you one of the more advanced systems available for autonomy in city driving.

Range and Charging

The popular Long Range configuration of the Tesla Model 3 gets an impressive estimated maximum range rating of up to 341 miles on a full charge. The base single-motor model gets an estimated 272-mile range. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a higher maximum range, but only with RWD. In the Hyundai, the RWD model gets a 361-mile range, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain gets 316 miles.

The well-established Tesla Supercharger network of fast charging stations goes a long way in easing range anxiety. Tesla claims the Supercharger can provide up to 175 miles of range in about 15 minutes. A wall connector charger at home gets you a full charge in 8-12 hours. The Ioniq 6 boasts similarly impressive charging times thanks to its DC fast charging capability.

A huge touchscreen enables car makers to keep switches and knobs to a minimum — too much of a minimum for some shoppers in the case of the Model 3. The dashboard is more or less a bare space on which the considerably sized 15.4-inch touchscreen is attached. Even the direction of the air vents is operated through this screen.

With the 2024 update, textile materials in lieu of the wood trim in the earlier Model 3 make this Tesla feel a little more modern and upscale, as does a new color ambient lighting system. Also, the all-glass roof makes the cabin feel open and airy. Heated and cooled front seats are standard and comfortable enough for hours in the saddle. With 35.2 inches of legroom (a half-inch more than the Ioniq 6), the rear seat space is adequate for kids and average-sized adults. Rear-seat passengers will appreciate the new 8-inch screen in the back with streaming and gaming capabilities in addition to climate controls.

The trunk in the earlier Model 3 had 19.8 cubic feet of volume, and Tesla says the trunk on the new one is bigger. It’s a useful cargo hold, and the rear seats split and fold for extra versatility. There’s also a 3.1 cubic-foot space under the hood. That’s substantially more cargo room than the dome-shaped Ioniq 6 with its little 11.2 cubic-foot trunk.

Tesla allows users to stream Netflix and Hulu, a nice way to pass the time when recharging the car. Yet despite this cutting-edge infotainment attribute, there’s no facility to integrate smartphones. Most other manufacturers are fitting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. It’s not a deal-breaker, but we wish Tesla would reconsider its stance on this.

The Model 3 has a stylish and aerodynamic design that’s undeniably Tesla. 2024 styling updates include new front and rear fascias, new headlights and taillights, updated wheel designs, and two new paint options.

Unfortunately, previous versions of the Tesla Model 3 have been subject to some general build-quality problems. In our consumer reviews, owners have reported issues like paint runs, misaligned panel gaps, and even doors not working reliably, which are uncommon problems in modern cars from more mainstream automakers. Tesla claims it’s improved the fit and finish with this updated Model 3, but we still recommend taking a good, in-person look at it before buying.

Up to 341 miles of range
Other car companies are catching up, but Tesla is still a leader regarding the distance a single battery charge covers. Factor in the Tesla Supercharger network, and the 2024 Model 3 will handle city duty and road trips alike.

Semi-autonomous driving tech
The standard Autopilot system bundles increasingly common features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Enhanced Autopilot adds Navigate on Autopilot, automatic lane-changing, automated parking, and Smart Summon. Finally, Full Self-Driving Capability further adds Autosteer on city streets and automatic stop-and-go at traffic lights and stop signs.

15.4-inch touchscreen
Just about every function of the car is controlled via this vast touchscreen. It has lovely graphics and a user-friendly interface that feels natural once you get used to it.

Rear screen
An 8-inch infotainment screen for the backseat passengers comes standard in the updated Tesla Model 3. Passengers can use it for streaming, gaming, climate control, or even sliding the front passenger seat forward for extra legroom.

Sentry Mode
Even a parked Tesla still has a 360-degree camera system in operation and will send alerts to a smartphone. The optional Live Camera function allows owners to check their car’s surroundings, sound the horn, flash the headlights, and even talk through the car’s speaker.

Two trunks
The Tesla Model 3 proves itself as a practical sedan with generous cargo space under the trunk lid and under the hood. It’s one of the many factors that make the Model 3 a sensible daily driver.

The dual-motor Long Range variant of the Tesla Model 3 employs an 82 kWh battery pack. The shorter-range, single-motor model uses a 57.5 kWh battery. Both models use electrons very efficiently, yielding low fuel costs. According to the most recent EPA estimates, the efficiency ratings of the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 are very similar.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Tesla’s basic new-car warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is a common arrangement among luxury cars. The battery in the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles, while the Long Range version has a battery warranty of eight years or 120,000 miles.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge some problems with long wait times and high costs at Tesla service centers. Based on what we read and hear from owners, experiences with the reliability and maintenance costs of Tesla models have been a mixed bag, varying depending on location. If you live in an area with many Teslas on the road but not many service stations, you could encounter some headaches when your Model 3 needs service.

Safety

The Tesla Model 3 has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and awarded the maximum five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.

We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.

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