Used 2020 Tesla Model 3

Tesla’s 5-seat Model 3 sedan gives the owner ample electric range and lots of technology, all at a starting price of about $40,000. In addition, if you consider the Model 3 a luxury car as some do, it was the best-selling luxury compact car in America in 2019.

But, because of fairly high transaction prices, the Tesla Model 3 is not quite fully mainstream, as it’s still too pricey for most middle-market car shoppers. And now that the federal tax credit for all Teslas has lapsed, it effectively makes the Model 3 even more expensive than last year.

For those on a more limited budget, the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt costs less, offers a better driving range (compared to the Model 3’s standard motor package), even though it’s smaller. Nissan’s Leaf costs even less but has just 149 miles of range with the standard motor package, where the Model 3 Standard Plus base version is worth 250 miles of range. If you peek upmarket a bit to Jaguar’s $70,875 I-Pace, you get a far more plush interior, better handling, and much more standard power, yet the range is essentially the same. All for basically double the price. But option up the Model 3’s Long Range motor package or the Performance version, and costs can skyrocket easily.

Still, the Model 3 is Tesla’s highest-volume and most affordable electric vehicle. With great range, performance, a measure of practicality, good crash safety ratings, and some fun driving character, the Model 3 can be a rewarding full electric vehicle for those heavily weighing life without fossil fuels.

Despite its being an electric car chiefly focused on delivering range and practicality, the 2020 Tesla Model 3 behaves in many ways like a sports car because all the powertrain’s dense mass is positioned low in the chassis and between the wheels. This makes the Model 3 feel nimble with minimal body roll in corners, despite weighing nearly 4,000 pounds.

On a straightaway, the up-level Model 3 Performance can go from 0-60 mph in a claimed 3.2 seconds, which is nothing short of supercar and exotic territory. Meanwhile, the standard Model 3 does the same sprint in 5.3 seconds, still no slouch. Also, the Model 3’s low cowl and dashboard height provide an expansive view forward.

Since much of the Model 3’s driving characteristics are driver-tunable with brake regeneration, steering effort, and throttle response all adjustable, you can dial your preferences in quite elaborately. Overall, the Tesla Model 3 is pleasant to drive, quick and agile when wanted, and comfortable when cruising.

Here’s where things get a little funky for some. The Model 3 interior owes its entire look to minimalism and sparsity. Some even might say stripped-down. It has virtually no conventional switches, levers or knobs, or even an instrument panel. It tosses all that stuff into the bin in favor of a 15-inch multifunction tablet-like touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard. You use this to control everything from ventilation and heating to audio, navigation, and battery charging data.

Vehicle speed and other always-present driving information are displayed at the top left of this screen. Some users might feel this is quite alien, while others might adapt quickly and love it. And as the popular internet memes today often claim, your mileage may vary.

The front seats offer lots of headroom for tall drivers, and those seats themselves are comfortable and supportive. Rear-seat space is tight, however. Plus, the seat bottom is positioned very low and lacks support, forcing rear passengers’ knees to float in the air with little cushioning under their thighs. This causes fatigue to set in very quickly.

Some of the latest EV competitors in the low and middle price classes use odd, quirky design elements to state visually that they are, indeed, electric vehicles. Conversely, the Model 3’s exterior simplicity is its strength. It does not use an awkward overlay of surface details to pronounce its reliance on electrons versus petrochemicals. Meanwhile, the sweep of the roofline, the low cowl, flush door handles, and absent front grille impart a simple elegance.

The 19-inch optional Sport wheels look much better than the standard wheels fitted to the Standard Range and Long Range models. Opting for the Performance model then also results in a lower ride height, 20-inch matte-finish wheels, and a carbon-fiber spoiler.

Tesla Theater

Having debuted in 2019 with Software v10.0, Tesla Theater makes recharging less tiresome when on road trips by allowing you to watch Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services while parked and recharging.

Smart Summon

This feature can start and remotely drive your Model 3 to where you’re standing, all through your smartphone’s Tesla app. The car has to be within sight, and you must accept responsibility for anything that might go wrong on this remote-controlled brief journey. But it’s a crowd-pleaser and relies on deft technology.

Tesla is always changing the Model 3 lineup in features that come standard and options based on buyer trends and software updates. With that caveat, the cheapest model is Standard Range Plus in rear-wheel-drive configuration. Meanwhile, Long Range and Performance trims include dual-motor all-wheel drive.

Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, as is a glass roof, Bluetooth connectivity, four USB ports, two smartphone docking stations, and heated, power-folding side mirrors with auto-dimming glass. Tesla’s “Autopilot” advanced driving-assistance system (ADAS) is also standard.

Currently, the Model 3 Standard Range Plus includes a “Partial Premium” interior, meaning premium seat material, 12-way power and heated front seats, upgraded audio, plus 30 days of premium connectivity with in-car internet music and entertainment streaming, satellite maps with live traffic and over-the-air vehicle updates.

Oddly, any paint color other than white costs extra, as does the handsome 19-inch Sport wheels. The full Premium interior (in contrast to the above-mentioned “Partial Premium” version) comes with the Long Range and Performance trim levels. The full Premium also adds LED fog lights, heated rear seats, upgraded audio, floormats, and a year of free “Premium” connectivity. Performance trim equips the Model 3 with gray 20-inch wheels, upgraded brakes, lower ride height, a Track driving mode, a carbon-fiber spoiler, and aluminum-alloy pedals.

“Full Self-Driving Capability” costs $7,000 on Model 3s, which includes the existing Tesla Autopilot features like automated driving from highway onramp to highway offramp, similar to Cadillac’s Super Cruise, all of which Tesla claimed earlier in 2020 would be available by year’s end, but is still in beta testing. Automatic lane-changing capability, automatic parking in parallel and perpendicular parking spaces, and Smart Summon are all available now, too. Tesla claims that “Full Self-Driving Capability” will add the ability to respond to traffic signals and stop signs. However, Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving Capability” is absolutely not true autonomous driving, and no one should confuse the two.

For Standard Range Plus and special-order Long Range rear-drive Model 3s, an electric motor sits between the rear wheels, but you’ll never see it. Long Range all-wheel-drive and Performance trim models add another electric motor for the front wheels.

Those electric motors are powered by lithium-ion batteries parked under the car’s floor between the front and rear wheels. Standard Range Plus Model 3s have a 54-kWh lithium-ion battery. A 75-kWh battery comes with the Long Range and Performance versions, but the Performance version is more powerful.

Model 3 Standard Range Plus:

AC induction electric motor w/54-kWh battery pack
340 horsepower (estimated)
330 lb-ft of torque (estimated)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 148/132 MPGe (RWD)
Range: 263 miles

Model 3 Long Range:

AC induction electric motors w/75-kWh battery pack
447 horsepower (estimated)
376 lb-ft of torque (estimated)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 136/123 MPGe (RWD), 124/116 MPGe (AWD)
Range: 353 miles

Model 3 Performance:

AC induction electric motors w/75-kWh battery pack
580 horsepower (estimated)
481 lb-ft of torque (estimated)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 124/116 MPGe (18-inch wheels), 119/112 MPGe (19-inch wheels), 118/107 MPGe (20-inch wheels)
Range: 315 miles