Tesla Model 3 review - one car to rule them all?

Verdict – is the Tesla Model 3 a good car?

The Tesla Model 3 continues to prove a huge success for the brand, even becoming one of the top-selling cars in the UK. While the Model 3 has now been on the market for a number of years, the 2023 ‘Highland’ facelift improves the saloon in every area. It now looks better, feels more refined and has an improved range. The facelifted Model 3 Performance still doesn’t quite match a BMW M3 for sheer fun, but it’s much more enjoyable to drive than the outgoing model, which is a testament to the chassis improvements made by Tesla’s engineers.

Tesla Model 3 models, specs and alternatives

When it made its debut, the Model 3 marked a big step for the brand as its first affordable model. It’s an electric car aimed at buyers of more mainstream models, in contrast with the premium image carved out by the big Tesla Model S saloon and Model X SUV. It goes up against a wide range of rivals, including combustion-engined cars such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Alfa Romeo Giulia and others, along with a growing number of electric competitors like the Polestar 2, BMW i4, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and BYD Seal. The Model 3 is competitively priced, too, costing from just under £40,000 and often coming in under £400 a month on finance and leasing deals.

The Model 3’s original design was evocative of its larger sibling, the Model S, although it has a shorter bonnet and a saloon-car style boot, rather than a hatchback. In late 2023, the Model 3 was given its biggest refresh yet, codenamed ‘Project Highland’. The lozenge-shaped headlights are gone, replaced by much sharper and slimmer units with a new LED signature. It’s a similar story at the rear, with new lights integrated into the tailgate.

The lack of an engine means storage space in the front and back is generous. As is now synonymous with the Tesla brand, the Model 3 gets lots of gadgetry that many other manufacturers are only just catching up with, including features such as electronically adjustable air vents and the ability to use your phone as a key.

While gripes about Tesla quality have been an issue in the past, the facelifted car feels like a significant step up. While its cabin might still lose points to the BMW i4 in places, Tesla’s 15.4-inch touchscreen is amongst the best to use in its class and controls everything from media and navigation to the lights, wipers and even gear selection – a step too far for some, perhaps – but Tesla’s software is excellent, and frequently updated. Moving the indicator controls from a stalk to buttons on the steering wheel could be a deal-breaker for some drivers, though, as it simply isn’t as intuitive. 

Thanks to a reduction in drag, even the entry-level Model 3 can now manage well over 300 miles on a single charge, with the Long Range version extending this to 391 miles – further than most of its rivals. On long trips, the Model 3 can be topped up using Tesla's well-established Supercharger network (although you will have to pay) or – for the first time in a Tesla – via any other charging network that's compatible with its CCS charging port. Fast-charging to 80% can take less than 30 minutes, while a full home charge takes just under 12 hours.

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The Model 3 drives in near-silence at low speed but is also fast and exciting, with excellent grip and minimal body roll in the corners despite its heavy weight. It’s mostly comfortable over bumps – although the entry-level car is more comfortable than versions fitted with larger alloy wheels. Since the 2023 facelift, it’s also much quieter on the motorway and rides more comfortably too.

We’ve also now driven the facelifted Performance model, and while it boasts serious power figures to rival cars like the BMW M3, it’s still not quite as fun or confidence-inspiring to drive as that rival. Aside from its lightning-quick acceleration and higher power output compared with the standard Model 3, however, it does offer heavier and more consistent steering, and will appeal if you want a Tesla that offers a little more fun.

While it was previously harder to differentiate the standard Tesla Model 3 from the Performance, the facelifted version of the hotter variant now gets a few extra details that set it apart. There’s a whole new front bumper with large air intakes and a front splitter, while its tail gets a lip spoiler and the rear bumper comes down lower.

While there have been some reliability and build quality issues, there are no such worries when it comes to safety. After crash-testing the pre-facelift Model 3, Euro NCAP awarded it the maximum five-star score, with the highest score of any car tested until that date in the safety assist category. Tesla also continues to impress customers, with the Model 3 coming second out of the top 50 cars in our latest Driver Power satisfaction survey, a respectable improvement on 22nd place in 2023.

​Tesla Model 3 alternatives

Electric family cars

• Hyundai Ioniq 6
• Polestar 2
• BMW i4
• Vauxhall Astra Electric
• Peugeot E-308