Overview

The Tesla Model 3 has played a significant part in making electric cars attractive and viable in the UK. It’s Tesla’s most affordable model, but doesn’t scrimp on the firm’s innovative battery and motor technology. Most recently updated with a raft of improvements in 2024, aggressive pricing has also helped keep this now aging electric vehicle (EV) competitive – in spite of some recent image issues related to the political antics of the brand’s outspoken founder.

The original Model 3 went on sale in 2018, and was mildly updated a number of times, with a series of tweaks in late 2021 before the facelift in 2023 with further efficiency improvements in 2024. The ‘Project Highland’ update of ’23 introduced a facelifted front end, slipperier aerodynamics for a longer battery range, lower noise levels and a revised interior with better quality finishes than before and an (even more) simplified cockpit layout.

The Model 3’s driving range, price and ease-of-use have been tempting many of you out of your conventional piston-engined executive cars and into the world of EV ownership. That’s why it won the overall car of the year title in the 2020 Parkers New Car Awards, and it remains a front-running, and bestselling, EV today.

The revisions came at a good moment. Although the Model 3’s still competitive, an increasing number of rivals such as the Polestar 2, BMW i4, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Volkswagen ID.7 and BYD Seal, mean that Tesla was right not to be too complacent. While it has long been standard-setter in this segment, that doesn’t mean others aren’t intent on catching up and surpassing this innovator.

The Model 3 currently has a very simple model line-up. You can buy it in Rear-Wheel Drive (318-mile driving range), Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (436 miles), Long Range All-Wheel Drive (390 miles) and Performance All-Wheel Drive (328 miles) forms with a limited set of options and configurations. The main add-ons are around its self-driving capability, although Basic Autopilot comes fitted as standard.

Other included features are over-the-air updates for its operating system, Sentry Mode – a security system that activates the cameras if the car is disturbed while it’s locked – and integration with the excellent Tesla mobile app.

In use, a Tesla Model 3 shouldn’t offer up too many anxieties around its driving range. When the battery runs low, the sat-nav automatically diverts the car to the nearest available Tesla Supercharger, but since route-planning is baked into everything you do, it’s highly unlikely you’ll run low in a Model 3 unless it’s intentionally. Travel information and advice are relayed exclusively by the big touchscreen – you’ll either love or hate this.

Click through the next few pages to read everything you need to know about the updated Tesla Model 3. We assess its practicality, interior technology, running costs and driving experience before telling you whether we recommend buying one. If you want to learn more about how we test cars, head over to dedicated explainer page to learn more.