2024 Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 has plenty going for it. Like a maximum range of 341 miles and a competitive price. This electric vehicle (EV) also delivers an engaging driving experience and benefits from access to Tesla’s web of Superchargers, the country’s biggest and best charging network. Apart from occasional hassles when getting the car serviced, the Model 3 has plenty of appeal for anyone looking to buy an electric car. We’re not surprised that the practical and high-tech Tesla Model 3 is one of America’s best-selling EVs.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric cars, including the Tesla Model 3.

Having been around since 2017, the Model 3 receives a much-needed refresh. Revised exterior styling makes the Model 3 look sleeker (but hasn’t had a positive impact on range). Interior changes include an 8-inch touchscreen for passengers sitting in the back, ventilated front seats, ambient cabin lighting, a 17-speaker audio system (or a 9-speaker setup in the base rear-wheel-drive version), and a larger trunk area. The Model 3 Performance version gains more power and extra driver-focused enhancements.

Tesla also claims to have made fit and finish improvements, along with more noise-reducing measures. Time will tell whether this update remedies some of the build-quality issues our readers have experienced in earlier Model 3 iterations.

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 starts at $40,380. That’s for the single-motor version with rear-wheel drive. The more popular dual-motor/all-wheel-drive Long Range variant begins at $49,130.

These figures include both manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and the $1,390 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

The Model 3 is arguably a bargain among electric sedans. Its closest rivals are the Hyundai Ioniq 6 from around $40K, and the Polestar 2 from about $51.5K. The BMW i4 begins at $53.5K. The Model 3 Long Range is priced a little above the Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE with a dual-motor powertrain. In these respective configurations, the Tesla has an advantage in range (341 miles versus 316), while the Hyundai comes with a much better warranty.

Before buying a new Model 3 electric car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Tesla Model 3 resale values are higher than the class average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2024 Model 3 Long Range employs a 394-horsepower dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive. Tesla estimates a standstill-to-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds. That kind of acceleration was once reserved for pricey performance cars, but quick and smooth acceleration is one of Tesla’s calling cards. Electric or not, we love having this kind of performance in a practical car we can drive every day. In fairness, a 320-horsepower Hyundai Ioniq 6 Long Range all-wheel-drive variant is only about a tenth of a second slower.

The floor-mounted battery contributes to a low center of gravity, bringing benefits in stability. The Model 3 changes direction quickly and calmly through a set of fast corners. The suspension is taut yet still comfortable. One aspect we really like is the ability to fine-tune functions such as steering, braking, and accelerator responses to be sporty or more relaxed, according to each driver’s taste.

The base rear-wheel-drive model is a little tamer, but still enjoyable. It has a single electric motor with 271 horsepower and a breezy 60-mph time of 5.8 seconds. The Model 3 Performance, meanwhile, gets boosted from 455 to a fierce 510 horsepower for 2024. It comes standard with an adaptive suspension, sport front seats, stronger brakes, staggered-width tires, and a Track driving mode. Tesla says it will hit 60 mph in a breathtaking 2.9 seconds.

This is probably academic, but Tesla has lowered top speed in the Long Range version from 145 mph to 125 mph (same as the entry-level Model 3). The Performance variant can apparently reach 163 mph.

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

With the 2024 update, textile materials replacing the previous wood trim make this new Model 3 feel more modern and upscale, as does a new multi-color ambient lighting feature. The all-glass roof makes the cabin feel open and airy; we appreciate the Model 3’s excellent outward vision. Tesla also claims a quieter cabin this year with the addition of wrap-around acoustic glass and more sound insulation.

Heated and cooled front seats are standard, and comfortable enough for hours at a time. With 35.2 inches of legroom, rear seat space is adequate for kids and average-sized adults. Rear passengers will appreciate the new 8-inch screen in the back with streaming and gaming in addition to climate controls.

The trunk in the revised Model 3 has an area of 21 cubic feet (up from 19.8), substantially more than the dome-shaped Ioniq 6 with its 11.2 cubic feet. The 3’s rear seats also split and fold for extra versatility. And there’s an extra 3.1-cubic foot space under the hood.

The Model 3 has a sleek and aerodynamic appearance that’s undeniably Tesla. Styling updates for 2024 include new front and rear fascias, new headlights and taillights, updated wheel designs, and two new paint choices.

Unfortunately, earlier versions of the Model 3 have suffered from build-quality problems. Some of our owner reviews have reported issues like paint runs, misaligned panel gaps, and even doors not working reliably — uncommon faults in most modern cars. Tesla claims improved fit and finish with this updated 2024 Model 3, but we still recommend taking a good, in-person look before buying.

Up to 341 miles of range
Other car companies are catching up, but Tesla is still a leader in terms of distance covered by a single battery charge. The Tesla Supercharger network is excellent, too.

Partial self-driving tech
The standard Autopilot system bundles increasingly common features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Enhanced Autopilot adds Navigate on Autopilot, automatic lane changing, automated parking, and Smart Summon. Full Self-Driving Capability is one of the more advanced systems available, adding Autosteer on city streets, plus automatic stop-and-go at traffic lights and stop signs.

15.4-inch touchscreen
Just about every function is controlled through this huge touchscreen. It has lovely graphics and a user-friendly interface. Tesla also allows users to stream Netflix and Hulu, a pleasant way to pass the time while recharging. We wish Tesla would also add support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration.

Rear screen
An 8-inch infotainment screen for the back-seat 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
A parked Tesla still has an active 360-degree camera system and will send alerts to an owner’s phone. The optional Live Camera function provides the ability to check the car’s surroundings, sound the horn, flash the headlights, and even enable talking through the car’s speaker.

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

The popular Long Range configuration of the Tesla Model 3 has an impressive maximum range of 341 miles. The base single-motor model is rated at 272 miles, and the Performance can run for 296 miles. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a higher maximum range of 361 miles, but only with rear-wheel drive — its dual-motor/all-wheel drive powertrain achieves 316 miles.

The well-established Tesla Supercharger network of fast-charging stations goes a long way to easing range anxiety. Tesla claims the Supercharger can provide up to 175 miles of range in about 15 minutes. The Ioniq 6 enjoys similarly impressive charging times, thanks to its DC high-current capability.

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 and drive unit in the rear-drive Model 3 is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles. The battery and drive units in the Long Range and Performance versions have a warranty of eight years or 120,000 miles.

We’re compelled to acknowledge some problems with long wait times and high costs at Tesla service centers. Based on what we hear from owners, experiences with 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 centers, you could encounter headaches when your Model 3 needs attention.

Safety Ratings

The Tesla Model 3 has taken top scores of Good in the main crash tests carried out by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and earned the maximum 5-Star overall score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).