Price: The 2022 Tesla Model 3 starts at $48,490. A Model 3 Long Range model begins at $55,990, while the Tesla Model 3 Performance starts at $61,990. 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. 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 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. 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 As a Standard Range Plus model, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 starts at $44,490. The Long Range model starts at $55,990, while the Performance model begins at $61,990. All of these prices are before any state or local incentives kick in, which vary depending on where you live. The closest rival to the Model 3 is the Polestar 2, which is still eligible for a $7,500 federal tax incentive. After that price cut, the pricing of these two premium EVs is pretty similar for the base model. The dual-motor Polestar 2 is more affordable than the Model 3 Long Range, but the Polestar has a significantly shorter range. Part of the beauty of the Tesla Model 3 is that it’s an all-electric compact luxury sedan with a starting price similar to its gas-powered competitors. The starting price of the Model 3 is a bit higher than that of the Audi A4, Lexus IS, BMW 3 Series, and most other conventional compact luxury sedans.

The all-electric 2023 Tesla Model 3 is the company’s smallest and most affordable car, yet it can still manage a range of more than 300 miles. Pricing starts at $38,990. The Model 3 has plenty going for it. Range and cost for starters, plus an engaging driving experience, access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, and a lot of technology on offer. It’s also 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). Let’s stay with the hands-on aspect of driving, because the partial automation systems available in a Tesla Model 3 dilute the experience — which may or may not be a good thing, depending perhaps on how tough the day has been. But despite all the tech, the Model 3 can be truly enjoyable. The floor-mounted battery contributes to a low center of gravity, with the effect of enhancing stability. Through a set of quick corners, the Model 3 changes direction quickly and calmly. The suspension is taut but still comfortable. Depending on the variant, acceleration goes from amusing to amazing. One aspect we really like is the ability to fine-tune functions such as steering, brake pedal, and accelerator pedal responses to be sporty or more relaxed to suit the tastes of each driver. One thing to bear in mind is how easy or otherwise the Model 3 might be to live with. Make sure there are chargers within easy reach. And even though we do all we can to avoid a crash, there aren’t many places to get a Tesla’s bodywork repaired. For example, there’s a couple serving most of the Los Angeles area, each with a long wait time. We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of electric cars, including this Tesla Model 3. Range Other car companies are catching up, but Tesla still leads the way regarding the distance covered by a single battery charge. Factor in the Tesla Supercharger network, and the 2023 Model 3 will handle city duty and road trips alike. Basic Autopilot This is a standard feature in the 2023 Model 3 that includes self-steering, braking, and accelerating. Over-the-air updates This technology was pioneered by Tesla, bringing ongoing improvements in performance and range, as well as things like information for the navigation system. 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. Enhanced Autopilot This option provides adaptive cruise control on the highway, with functions like automatic overtaking of vehicles and returning to the original lane. Full Self-Driving Capability Another option that takes the Enhanced Autopilot feature, then adds things like ideal lane choice for when the relevant offramp is coming up, self-parking, Smart Summon (the car comes to you), and Traffic Light/Stop Sign control. The driver must still remain alert and aware. A huge touchscreen enables car makers to keep switches and knobs to a minimum — perhaps too much of a minimum in the case of the Model 3. The dashboard is more or less a bare space on which the considerably sized 15-inch touchscreen is attached. Even the direction of the air vents is operated through this screen. Such reliance on basically operating a computer while trying to drive a car is a recipe for distraction. Some operations are simply more involved. Color schemes of black or black/white add to the overall aura of sparseness. At least the all-glass roof makes the cabin feel open and airy. Heated front seats are standard, and they’re comfortable enough for hours in the saddle. Not many adults will want to spend much time sitting in the back, however, since legroom is on the stingy side. However, cargo space of 19.8 cubic feet in the back is useful, and the rear seats split and fold for extra versatility. There’s also a 3.1-cubic foot space under the hood. 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/Android Auto as standard. It’s not a deal-breaker, but we wish Tesla would reconsider its stance on this. A single electric motor propels the 2023 Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive version to the tune of…actually, we don’t know — Tesla doesn’t quote horsepower or torque figures. Both the Long Range and Performance variants have dual electric motors and all-wheel drive (AWD). Single electric motor (Rear-Wheel Drive) EPA city/highway fuel economy: 138/126 MPGe EPA-estimated range: 272 miles Dual electric motors (Long Range AWD) EPA city/highway fuel economy: 134/126 MPGe EPA-estimated range: 333 miles Dual electric motors (Performance AWD) EPA city/highway fuel economy: 118/107 MPGe EPA-estimated range: 315 miles More Model 3 range and efficiency information is available on the EPA’s website. 4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty Tesla’s basic new-car warranty lasts for 4 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 8 years or 100,000 miles, while the Long Range and Performance versions have battery warranties of 8 years or 120,000 miles. The 2023 Tesla Model 3 starts at $38,990. That’s for the base version with rear-wheel drive and a maximum range of 272 miles. The Long Range model begins at $45,990. For those seeking maximum thrills in a Model 3 package, the Performance variant starts at just under $51K. It’s another $12K to add the Full Self-Driving Capability package to any version. 2023 Tesla Model 3 MSRP Model 3 $38,990 Model 3 Long Range $45,990 Model 3 Performance $50,990   These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices and do not include the $1,390 destination charge. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the Rear-Wheel Drive and Performance models. For some pricing context, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 begins at $41.5K, the Kia EV6 at $48.5K, and the Polestar 2 at $48.4K. But none of these contenders can match the Model 3’s maximum range of 358 miles. If a Model 3 is too small, the next-size-up Tesla Model Y SUV starts at $47K. Before buying a new Model 3 electric car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Resale values are strong. Does the 2023 Tesla Model 3 qualify for the federal tax credit? Tesla Model 3 buyers may be eligible to receive a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, but only for the Performance model. See if you qualify. What’s New for 2023 The Model 3 hasn’t undergone any significant changes over the past year, but Tesla is working on a significant Model 3 update with an aim to “cut production costs and boost the appeal of the five-year-old electric sedan.” Production could begin in 2024. Range, Charging and Performance The base version of the 2023 Model 3 with rear-wheel drive has a possible range of 272 miles, the Performance variant is capable of 315 miles, and the Long Range version can achieve a maximum of 333 miles. The Tesla Supercharger network is already well established. One of these chargers can provide 174 miles of range in 15 minutes. A wall connector charger at home provides 44 miles of range per hour. According to Tesla, the Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive can sprint from standstill to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds (respectably quick) and reach a top speed of 140 mph. The Long Range’s statistics are 4.2 seconds and 145 mph. The Model 3 Performance lives up to its name with a lightning-fast 3.1-second sprint to 60 mph, plus a top speed of 162 mph.