New Tesla Model 3 Long Range ups the ante with 436-mile range

• New Model 3 Long Range RWD model
• Most efficient Tesla model ever
• Priced from £44,990

Electric car makers seem to be locked in an ongoing EV-range arms race, and the updated Tesla Model 3 Long Range has only gone and escalated things further. In new Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) guise, the Model 3 Long Range can travel up to 436 miles, catapulting it towards the top of the longest-range electric cars list. That’s 46 miles further than the Model 3 could manage before and puts it 18 miles ahead of its key rival, the Polestar 2.

While Tesla was once regarded as the clear EV market leader, legacy manufacturers appear to have caught up in recent years, offering equally capable electric cars at gradually lower prices. The new Model 3 Long Range RWD shows that the American brand still has a few aces up its sleeve, offering one of the longest ranges of any EV at a price that still undercuts many of its rivals. 

What’s new for the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD?

First hitting the market in 2017, the Tesla Model 3 has remained one of Europe’s favourite electric cars since its launch. Over the years it’s received several updates, but the new Long Range RWD model represents a significant technical leap to keep it competitive against EV newcomers. There are no changes externally or in the cabin – the Model 3 was facelifted just last year – but the key differences are under the metalwork.

That new 436-mile range comes courtesy of “continuous engineering efforts focused on energy efficiency and cost reduction”, including a new battery pack similar to the one found in the new Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD. Not only does Tesla claim that the new Model 3 Long Range RWD is its most efficient vehicle ever built, it’s also the most efficient EV on sale in Europe today, offering an energy consumption figure of 5.0 miles per kWh.

That new range figure also gives the Model 3 the best price-to-range ratio on the market, according to Tesla. At £44,990, it stacks up well against the competition, offering a greater range than the similarly-priced Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor. The Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Match S is capable of an identical 436 miles of range, but costs over £10,000 more than the Tesla.

How much does the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD cost and when can I buy one?

Prices for the new Model 3 Long Range RWD start from £44,990. That’s exactly £5,000 more than the entry-level RWD car, but that doesn’t seem like much considering the additional 118 miles of range on offer. Customers can place an order now, with UK deliveries expected to begin in November 2024.

See how the Tesla Model 3 stacks up against the best electric cars on sale today…