Tesla Model 3 Long-Range AWD

Tesla Model 3 

• Long Range All Wheel Drive

• Horsepower: 425 

• Range: The EPA estimates the LR AWD has a range of 346 miles. 

• Acceleration: The LR AWD can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds

• Overall Length: 4,720 mm 

• Overall Width: 2,089 mm 

• Weight: 3,505 pounds

• Exterior Color: Solid Black

• Interior Color: Black

• Price: Starts from $47,490

• Price of the Test Car: $50,130

The Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD is the perfect solution for daily mobility needs. It has good comfort, more than enough performance and a lot of technology with high range. All of these come for a fair price. 

Tesla refreshed the Model 3 at the end of 2023 and gave it some updates and improvements. Tesla Model 3 comes in 3 variations: Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD and Performance. The Model 3 used in this test is a 2024 Model Year Long Range AWD. 

The Model 3 stands out with its impressive range. The EPA estimates the LR AWD has a range of 346 miles. This range value is one of the best in the market. Also Tesla has a very good charging network, which is also beneficial to this car. It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to charge up to 80% with the Tesla supercharging stations. 

Tesla does not explicitly tell the horsepower of the Model 3. However, it does not change that this car has plenty of power. The car has dual batteries providing approximately 425 horsepower. It completes the 0-60 acceleration in 4.2 seconds, which is impressive and quite an improvement from the previous Model 3 that needed 0.5 second more. The feel of the acceleration is very smooth and effortless due to the electric powertrain and no transmission. Additionally, the Model 3 does not create a fake sound like most other electric vehicles do. For example, the BMW i4 M50 which I drove previously created a fake sound from the speakers inside the cabin similar to an engine while accelerating. This sound is very controversial and there are many different views about it. In my opinion, I like to hear some sort of sound while accelerating. Although this is not a necessity, especially for a vehicle like the Model 3 that is not designed to be a performance car, I still think it does bring some excitement to driving an EV. Other than that, the car is very successful in meeting daily performance needs. 

The handling is one of the few drawbacks of the Tesla Model 3. The cornering of the car is not bad, but when you drive it sporty in corners, you can instantly feel that the car was not built for this type of purpose. The steering wheel is very direct, however, it is soulless and unresponsive in terms of the connection with the driver. The car has a bit of body roll as well. These problems are because of the weight and the soft suspension configuration, which are adjusted for comfort. 

The Tesla Model 3 has a good level of comfort. It has soft suspensions, which helps the car with absorbing the bumps on the road. The sound insulation in the Tesla Model 3 is also successful. Since the car’s electric engine is noiseless and the insulation is pretty good, the interior cabin of the car is very quiet during drives. On highway speeds, the wind and tire sound starts to increase, however, it is definitely not irritating. 

The interior of the Model 3 is very minimalistic. The car has only a large iPad like screen and a steering wheel. That’s all! The previous Model 3 also had a gear selector and turn signal column. Now they transferred the gear selector into the screen and the turn signals into the steering wheel. In my opinion, I prefer to have a physical gear selector and turn signals. It is definitely easier to operate for a driver that is new to the car. However, after spending some time with the car, the driver can quickly adapt to the new version and continue without any struggle. The large screen has all the functions of the car. You change the gear, driving mode, driving assists, entertainment, climate control, shortly everything from the screen. You can even surf the internet and watch Netflix from the screen. Yet, in my opinion, the menus are complicated and the screen is difficult to operate while driving. Most of the time you need to browse between menus to find the section you are looking for, which may distract the driver’s attention from the road. I personally prefer to have buttons or screens dedicated to only one function. I think it makes it easier to operate while driving. The sound system of the Tesla Model 3 is moderate. They use their own speakers. It is definitely not bad, but I think the Harman Kardon on BMW and Burmester on Mercedes Benz are much better. There is some ambient lighting on the Tesla Model 3’s interior, but the German competitors have more impressive ambient lighting. 

The back seats of the Tesla Model 3 are sufficient. It is what you expect from a car this size. 4 average sized adults can comfortably cruise in the car. However, the 5th passenger in the middle seat would definitely not be as comfortable as the other passengers. One thing I like about the backseat is the climate control screen, which is new to the Model 3 with the refresh. It is easy to use and also looks good. 

The interior quality of the Model 3 is good. The materials such as leather and alcantara give the car a premium feel. Also all the trimmings and joints are in place and look solid. There were no irritating trim sounds. However, the test car was relatively new and I wonder what would be the case in a few years as Tesla is not the most reputable brand for build quality. 

Tesla Model 3 has very high technology driving assistance packages. With an additional package that costs $8,000, the car can fully self drive (supervised). With this option, the car can drive itself on highways and auto steer in city streets without any assistance but under supervision by the driver. Tesla Model 3 comes standard with adaptive cruise control, autosteer, auto lane change, and lane assist. 

The Tesla Model 3 is an important player in the compact electric car market. Tesla Model 3 was first introduced in 2017 and it became the first electric vehicle to pass global sales of 1 million in 2021. It is estimated that currently Tesla Model 3 has sold over 2.5 million units. It is not difficult to see why it is very popular. The Tesla Model 3 is a great car for daily use. With good power, impressive range and competitive price, it makes a lot of sense. However, if pleasure driving and sensations are what you want for a car, you might need to reconsider it.