Used 2022 Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 was a pretty revolutionary car when it first came out. It took the Tesla brand, which is famous for its world-class luxury EVs, and brought it to a more accessible price point in the form of a practical sedan. The Model 3 has the Tesla virtues of excellent range, a premium high-tech interior, and outstanding performance, all in a reasonably affordable package.

The Model 3 got some nice updates in 2021, like refreshed styling inside and out and increased range. Because of these recent updates, there are no significant changes for 2022. It remains a unique choice in electric cars with few direct competitors at this price point with this kind of range. The closest competitor to the Model 3 is the Polestar 2, but there are only a handful of Polestar retailers in the country.

As of this writing, there are 29 states (plus D.C.) where you can buy a Tesla and 21 where you can’t. Because of some old franchise laws intended to protect Detroit automakers, there are a handful of states where it’s illegal for a Tesla store to sell cars.

The Tesla brand has a well-earned reputation for building electric cars that are thrilling to drive. The Model 3 is no exception. Even in the base single-motor configuration, the electric motor eagerly delivers plentiful torque to the rear wheels. The well-tuned chassis has a rewarding driving experience with taut handling and accurate steering.

The drive gets more exciting if you upgrade to the Long Range dual-motor model with its 4.2-second 0-60 mph time. It also adds all-wheel drive and has the longest range in the Model 3 lineup.

The top Performance model achieves a 0-60 time of just 3.1 seconds. That’s supercar-like acceleration in a sedan just over $60,000. The Performance model also adds performance brakes and a lowered suspension to improve the drive further.

One thing we love about how the Model 3 drives is its customizability. The throttle response, brake feel, and steering weight are all adjustable to your liking. No matter how you customize it, the Model 3 is quiet, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive.

The Tesla Model 3 takes what you could call a minimalist approach to luxury. While some luxury car interiors are lavishly adorned with showy trim pieces, diamond-stitched leather, and crystal shift knobs, the inside of the Model 3 has a sophisticated simplicity to it.

The interior of the Model 3 has two options; All Black or Black and White. There’s a slab of wood trim across the dash, and the centerpiece of the interior is a 15-inch touchscreen that controls just about everything from maps to music to climate control. This is also where you’ll see basic information like a speedometer and battery gauge.

There’s a pair of wireless charging pads and four USB ports to ensure the batteries in everyone’s devices will be topped off. Tech features that are notably absent in the Model 3 are Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. These smartphone connectivity features are becoming ubiquitous, and this is one of the only infotainment systems in a new car that doesn’t have them.

The front seats are roomy and supportive. They’re all-day comfortable, even for taller adults. The back seats, however, are a little tight for a car this size. These seats are best reserved for children or short trips for adult passengers. Consider the Model Y crossover if you want a more family-friendly Tesla that won’t break the bank.

The styling of the Tesla Model 3 has sleek body lines and handsome wheel designs, but there’s some debate over the appearance of the front end. Some people like the flat nose showing the absence of a traditional grille, while others don’t care for this snout. Either way, it’s a unique look that makes it instantly recognizable as a Tesla.

As you might have guessed from the numeric name, the size of the Tesla Model 3 is similar to the BMW 3 Series. Size-wise, it’s in line with other prominent players in the compact luxury sedan class like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. It’s a little longer and lower than the Polestar 2, another premium EV with a similar price tag as the Model 3.

AUTOPILOT
The standard Autopilot system combines adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist to create a near-effortless highway driving experience.

SMART SUMMON
The Smart Summon feature allows you to summon your car with a smartphone app. This makes it easy to squeeze in and out of tight parking spots without physically being in your vehicle.

The base Standard Range Plus trim of the Tesla Model 3 is well-equipped. Standard features include heated, power-adjustable front seats, 4 USB-C ports, two wireless charging pads, a power trunk lid, a tinted panoramic glass roof, and a simulated leather vegan interior.

The standard infotainment system is a giant 15-inch screen. This screen controls everything from climate control to music and much more. There are no buttons, knobs, or even physical vent controls. It takes a little getting used to, but it becomes intuitive after a while. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are notably absent features.

With the base trim, you get 30 days of Premium Connectivity. This package includes live traffic, an internet browser, music and video streaming, and more.

The Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system comes standard on every Model 3. This suite of driver assistance tech features includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view parking camera system.

With Autopilot on, the Model 3 can adjust speed and steering to keep you in your lane, but you need to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel.

There are two dual-motor options of the Model 3, both of which have all-wheel drive. On top of the dual-motor setup, the Long Range model adds heated back seats and a 14-speaker premium audio system. You also get a year of Premium Connectivity.

The Performance model turns up the heat with a 3.1-second 0-60 mph time plus a lowered suspension, performance brakes, aluminum pedals, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and 20-inch wheels.

A couple of upgrades available for the Standard Range Plus and Long Range models include a black and white 2-tone interior and 19-inch sport wheels. A Full Self-Driving package available for all three models adds advanced driver assistance tech features like Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, and more.

The Tesla Model 3 is available in three different mechanical configurations. The base Standard Range Plus model uses a single electric motor powering the rear wheels. There’s a Long Range dual-motor option with all-wheel drive. You can have the dual-motor setup in Performance guise, which boosts power and torque but reduces range.

Although the Long Range model has the longest range, the Standard Range Plus model is slightly more efficient. That means it comes with the lowest cost per mile to drive.

Standard Range Plus
54-kWh battery pack w/AC induction electric motor
340 horsepower (estimate)
330 lb-ft of torque (estimate)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 138/126 MPGe (RWD)
Range per charge: 272 miles

Long Range
75-kWh battery pack w/ dual AC electric motors
447 horsepower (estimate)
376 lb-ft of torque (estimate)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 134/126 MPGe (AWD)
Range per charge: 358 miles

Performance
75-kWh battery pack w/ dual AC electric motors
580 horsepower (estimate)
481 lb-ft of torque (estimate)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 118/107 MPGe (AWD)
Range per charge: 315 miles