2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range review

Tesla's smallest model to date - the Model 3, has been one of the best selling vehicles in the world ever since it first premiered in 2017. After six years of being a market favorite it was only logical for Elon Musk to present a successor that levels up the Model 3's already fantastic reputation.

This led to the unveiling of the facelifted version in late 2023, which improves upon some of the weak points of the earlier models.

Table of Contents:

• Exterior
• Interior
• Storage & practicalities
• Driving experience
• Tech features
• Ride comfort
• Cabin noise
• Acceleration and braking
• Consumption
• Charging speed
• Competition
• Verdict

Today, we are reviewing the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range (LR) and will share our experiences with you.

The LR commands plenty of power with its 498 hp and 376 lb-ft, but if that's not enough for you, there is the Performance version that sacrifices range in favor of straight line performance.

The small sedan is positioned in a shrinking segment, which is slowly being overtaken by small SUVs and crossovers, so it has to compete on multiple fronts and not only with its direct rivals.

What the original Tesla Model 3 lacked were build quality and ride comfort, which are the main points of improvement in the facelift.

The exterior is heavily modernized with sleeker body lines and better proportions for an overall better-looking vehicle.

On paper, the Model 3 sounds like the perfect electric sedan, but our testing will determine if the changes are sufficient and actually make the Model 3 as good as it looks on paper.

Tesla Model 3 Long Range 2023 -

• Dimensions: 185.8 inches x 76.1 inches x 56.7 inches, 113.2 inches wheelbase.
• Drivetrain tested: LR - AWD 366 kW (498 hp), 376 lb-ft, 82 kWh total battery capacity, 77 kWh usable battery capacity
• Other drivetrains: Performance - AWD 460 kW (625 hp), 184 lb-ft, 78 kWh total battery capacity
• Charging: 250 kW CCS
• Range: 421 miles WLTP (342 miles EPA)
• Weight: 4,030 lb unladen
• Other features: Supercharger network, games, OTA updates.

Exterior

The outside of the Model 3 has gone through some significant upgrades that distinguish it from its predecessor. The silhouette is the same, but all the details are different when you look closely.

The Model 3 was never intended to be the prettiest vehicle on the road, but with the facelift, it becomes a more pleasant sight to see on the road.

The front is very different as the headlights now are narrower and give it an angrier face expression.

The bumpers are sleeker and now have even fewer vents and lines, making them highly aerodynamic and only the license plate disturbs the smoothened front end design.

The front hood and wheel arches also no longer bulge out on top, making the entire front end appear lower and more planted to the ground.

Looking at the profile, the Tesla Model 3 is almost identical with the pre-facelift. There is the lack of chrome on the sides of the windows and the door handles, which was optional on the outgoing generation and is no longer available to order. Now, you get black accents no matter the trim and exterior color.

The door handles remain the same as before, flush within the door and you have to press them on one end and pull on the other. The mechanism works well, but it's not very user-friendly and a simple task such as opening the door requires more attention and concentration. Many manufacturers resort to electric assist with such handles or a simple button, but the Tesla requires more effort, which might get on your nervers if you frequently hop in and out of the car.

There are two options for wheels, none of which look particularly exciting. The base 18-inch ones are optimized for range, whereas the 19-inch upgraded wheels our test variant comes with look slightly better but reduce range by about 36 miles.

Choosing the correct tire and wheel combination is vital if you wish to be as efficient as possible, but be careful as the range-oriented tires don't have as much grip as the performance ones.

On the B-pillar is where you stick the Tesla card, which acts as a key. You just press it against the pillar and the vehicle unlocks, but if that's too much of a hassle for you, you can connect your smartphone and use it as a key instead.

The rear end of the Tesla Model 3 is also significantly changed. Gone is the Tesla logo and instead you now get "TESLA" written out across the entire trunk. The taillights are also narrower compared to what you got before. They protrude into the body from the side and are almost divided into two separate units. They now come with a more distinct LED light pattern and make the Model 3 look more recognizable in traffic.

Interior

Inside the Tesla Model 3 the reigning theme is simplicity. Every detail follows a minimalist approach. There are almost no buttons anywhere inside and all trim pieces are as uncluttered as possible. This also leads to the omission of some vital parts of every cockpit like a gauge cluster or mirror controls, which are now both integrated into the center screen.

The minimalist approach is also continued into the spec sheet, where you can only choose between two interior color options - black or white and the only additional options concern the autopilot. Everything else inside is exactly the same in every aspect, granting the Tesla Model 3 no individuality.

One huge upgrade in the new Model 3 is that the build quality is significantly improved. There are still quite a lot of cheap plastics inside, but the way they're built together is infinitely better than before. Gone are the massive panel gaps and you also don't get any rattles or squeaks when driving.

As soon as you open the driver's door you're welcomed by a steering wheel and that's pretty much it. When equipped with the black interior like our test model, everything inside is finished in black, creating a slightly drab atmosphere with the lack of any contrast or color. Only the roof liner is light gray, bringing in some light inside, combined with the one that comes through the gigantic moon roofs.

The steering wheel integrates a plethora of functions to make up for the lack of buttons or stalks. You get two scroll wheels on each side, which execute different commands depending on how you combine them with the menus in the center screen. However, none of the materials used feel particularly nice to touch and that's a shame.

To the left, you also have your turn signals and your high beams, which are all on different buttons. The turn signals are confusing at first, but as you drive a bit, you get used to them and they are actually handy.

The only downside is that if you wish to signal while you are in a roundabout or mid-corner, your hands are not always near the buttons and this may prove confusing.

The high beam flash is perfect for people with big palms and fingers, but for others,, it can be a little inconvenient to reach as it's positioned almost all the way in the center of the steering wheel.

To the right, you get your windshield wiper spray, but sadly, you have no quick access to your actual wipers and to control them, you have to get deep into the menus on the screen.

In the vicinity you will also find the voice assistant and the autopilot settings.

The entire dashboard and door panels are highlighted by a giant LED strip spanning all the way, which brings in a little ambiance at night. It isn't much by modern standards and doesn't have as many colors as most rivals, which is disappointing given how technologically advanced the Model 3 is.

Moving on to the center screen, it is the focal point of the entire vehicle and integrates almost all of its functions.

The 15.4" touchscreen display works just like a modern smartphone, with lightning-quick response and fantastic image quality.

Tesla concentrates a lot of its research and development costs on the software, and this central display sis where you see those investments paying back in terms of usability.

Below the screen is a wireless charging pad for two phones, and this is also where you put your key card to start the Model 3. Despite being heavily tilted, you never have to worry about your phone or card actually falling off that pad.

Part of the center console is taken up by two drawers, which hide а huge storage space beneath them. There are also two big cupholders underneath, which can fit both small and large bottles and cups for extra practicality.

On the doors are the only real buttons inside the Model 3 and they control the windows and the electric door handles. Naturally, the driver's door can control all windows at once, but if you wish to lock/unlock the car or lock out the rear passengers from using the windows, you have to do that from the center screen. It is inconvenient and slightly frustrating that not all controls are in the same panel as you expect them to be.

The seats are finished in perforated synthetic leather, which doesn't look or feel nice and will wear out quickly.

Even though our test model is almost brand new, the leather was starting to wrinkle in places and seemed aged. The same goes for the steering wheel and other fake leather surfaces inside, but the alcantara used on the doors and dashboard feels premium and luxurious.

Moving on to the rear, the passengers there get a surprising amount of amenities for the segment. On the back of the armrest is an 8" touchscreen display that allows the passengers in the back to have some fun. There are climate controls, as well as heated seats and you can even control the front passenger seat like in many luxury limousines.

The rear passengers get a lot of amenities.

One thing that not many vehicles, especially in that class offer, are the games that the rear passengers can play. They can also be played by the front passengers on the front screen and are a superb way of spending time while traveling.

If games are not your forte, you can watch movies or stream video from Netflix, Twitch and Youtube which sounds great if you have a raucous kid in the back seat on a long ride.

You can watch anything in the rear.

The only downside is that the screen sits quite low to the ground and you have to bend a lot to use it. There are also two USB-C outlets to charge your devices.

When it comes to space, the Tesla Model 3 offers quite a lot of it in the rear. The headroom is plentiful, and the large glass roof makes it feel even roomier.

The batteries rob a lot of space in the rear, meaning your knees have to be raised in an unusual seating position. It would've been better if the seat was mounted higher, robbing some headroom in exchange of a more natural seating position.

Nevertheless, the actual legroom is generous, given how compact the Model 3 actually is. Even our 1.95 m (6'4") tall reviewer fits well and can travel freely, even on longer trips.

Space is generous in the rear, but your legs sit high up.

Storage & practicalities

The trunk and overall storage space of the Model 3 is one of its biggest advantages. The trunk alone offers 21 ft³ of cargo volume, which is more than any other direct competitor and also most SUV rivals. There is a deep storage pocket underneath the trunk floor and also two smaller ones over each wheel arch, where you can store smaller items you don't want rolling around.

Cargo volume is plentiful.

Fold the rear seats down, and you get almost double the storage space. The only limiting factor is the sedan shape, which heavily limits the height of your cargo. In a hatchback or an SUV you get much more usable space to play with, but the volume inside the Model 3 remain impressive.

The Model 3 comes with a frunk (front trunk) that offers the gracious (for a frunk) 3.11 ft³ of storage space. This is enough for some small luggage or to simply store items you rarely use.

Driving experience

Teslas don't have a reputation for offering the most engaging driving experience, and the 2024 Model 3 LR is no exception. It is a car that is a very good daily driver, which also happens to be capable to win just about any impromptu traffic light drag race but it's not a race car by any means.

The facelifted version has one huge benefit over its predecessor, and that is the ride quality. You now have a more balanced suspension that isn't as punishing with bumps and potholes, but is also good enough when entering corners.

This all adds up to a balanced driving experience that doesn't tire the driver, nor the passengers in any way. The Model 3 remains predictable at all times and communicates just enough with the driver.

The steering wheel is vague on center and weighs up at speed, but the steer-by-wire still doesn't transmit much information from the road to inspire confidence and let you push the car to its limits in the corners. You get a lot of play while steering at low speeds and have to make small corrections constantly, but that is absolutely normal for a compact sedan.

The instant torque and high power figures make for a moderately fun daily driver and you never feel wanting for more power. The AWD system manages to always get good grip despite the terrible road surface we have in our country, which is commendable and inspires a lot of confidence in the driver.

On windy roads, the low center of gravity helps the car stay planted, together with the improved suspension, eliminating a lot of the body roll, which many of its competitors sadly offer in abundance. It isn't the most predictable vehicle when turning, but it doesn't scare the driver either. The tires and AWD system compensate for small mistakes, but be careful, as the Model 3 picks up speed easily.

When it comes to driver assistance tech, Tesla is among the leading manufacturers and the Model 3 comes equipped as standard with all kinds of aids. Luckily, if you don't like the speed limit or lane keep assistants, you can quickly turn them off with the press of a single button. Sadly, you cannot turn them off permanently and have to do it on every startup.

Our test model came with the entry level autopilot so we cannot assess how good the autonomous driving features are in the real world, especially in a country like Bulgaria where the roads are poorly signaled and with many potholes. What we can share is that even if there are no lanes drawn on the road surface, the Model 3 knows where you are, sees where the pavement ends and from there deducts where the lanes should be and draws the lines in the center display.

It also distinguishes between many different road signs and displays them for you, in case you missed them. The fact that it draws all other cars nearby is a bit of a gimmick, but it still looks cool, and it's able to show you if the car in front is signaling a change in direction. This feature is more useful as an affirmation when using the autopilot to reassure you that the car has noticed all obstacles and will act accordingly.

Tech features

Technology is in the focus of using all Tesla models, and the 2024 Model 3 is no exception. Software controls most of the vehicle's functions, and they are all accessible through the center display. The touchscreen incorporates many functions, which are otherwise split into multiple different units in other vehicles - like the gauge cluster, the climate control and the mirror settings, just to name a few.

The left of the display is dedicated to vehicle information and offers little to no customization, as it is mandated by law to show the speedometer and all systems in use at all times. When the car is not in motion, this section shows if you have any warning messages, as well as if you have open doors.

New in the facelift is the Drive selector, which pops up in the top left of the screen and you just slide your finger depending on the direction you want to go. In case that control fails or you just don't like using a screen for the gears, there are backup physical buttons on the ceiling, next to the hazard lights.

You have great internet connectivity inside the Model 3, which allows you access to multiple online entertainment or information resources. There is a substantial list of games you can play, both on and offline, as well as a multitude of online radios, podcasts and you even get a premium Spotify account to use if you don't have one.

Waiting is never boring in the Model 3.

Naturally, you can also browse all kinds of websites, read the news or send an email, which is convenient when you have to pass the time while waiting somewhere. This kind of connectivity is among, if not the best in the industry and solidifies the status of the Tesla as a technology pioneer.

Endless entertainment possibilities.

If you wish, you can change the normal roadmap to not show your actual location, but rather where you'd be if you were on the moon. It is an absurdly gimmicky feature, but given how obsessed with the moon Elon Musk is, it is no surprise such a feature exists. Alternatively, the SatNav system works well despite the generic graphics, and it calculates the best routes to your destination and checks for chargers along the route.

Mars or Maps? You decide!

If you are a pet owner and need to leave your furry friend inside for a while, you can enter dog mode, which displays a large message on the screen that your dog has air conditioning. This way random people that pass by your Model 3 will not assume the pet is struggling for its life and call the police.

There is all kinds of consumption data for you to analyze and you can even see which system consumes the most energy and decide whether you need it as much or you can omit it in exchange for some extra mileage.

The lowest part of the screen is occupied by a line of quick buttons, which you can arrange as you like. There is the home button, as well as quick buttons for your climate temperature and seat climatization. To the right is the volume control for the audio system, which sounds amazing probably owing to the exertise of former Bang and Olufsen engineers who Musk brought onto his team.

All the other quick buttons down this line can be arranged as you wish and if you press on the dotted icon, a bigger menu pops up to show you all the functions you can select from. From there on you can either use the menu you want or drag it down to be at your disposal at all times.

Operating the air conditioning is not the easiest task in the world, as all controls are on the touchsreen, including the direction air blows and the defroster, which most vehicles have on a separate physical button. All other A/C controls are easy to understand and work well, just require some time to get used to.

The camera system of the Model 3 is fantastic with great image quality and multiple angles to choose from. You can also use it as a dashcam if needed. You can also use it to monitor your vehicle while it's parked and if anything happens to it, the camera will have filmed it. A big disappointment is the removal of parking sensors in recent Tesla models, which now rely solely on the camera system for parking and this way you don't feel as confident in really tight places.

There is also an interior camera that can be used for fun selfies with your friends, but also to monitor your vehicle inside when you leave it.

Ride comfort

The Tesla Model 3 was heavily criticized for having a harsh ride and the new model addresses that criticism in the best way possible. The ride is now soft over bumps and potholes, but is informative enough and doesn't lean too much into corners. It is a perfect balance of firmness and softness that is just spot on. You get a very balanced and smooth ride, which is a huge step above the outgoing Model 3. This reason alone can very well make many customers upgrade from the previous to the current generation, just to experience a much better drive all around.

Cabin noise

Tesla’s Model 3 was famous for offering a quiet cabin and adding better materials and improving the build quality has only done things better. The ride is quiet with almost no ambient sounds coming into the cabin. As speed increases, you sense some wind and tire noise, especially coming from the back, but that is normal and doesn’t disturb your ride in any way.

Sound level tests are carried out with a specialized sound level meter placed in the car's cupholders. The test is conducted with air conditioning and radio off and while maintaining a steady speed.

Acceleration and braking

Tesla pioneered fast electric vehicles and has been known as a supercar killer for the last decade. The Model 3 LR is not the fastest proposition in the lineup, but still offers almost 500 hp and 0 - 62 mph happens in just 4.48 seconds on our test track, which is exactly the value that Tesla claims. It is good that the Model 3 doesn’t stop accelerating at higher speeds and is quick to reach its top speed of 125 mph.

Braking is not as impressive as the acceleration in the Model 3 as it performs mediocre with a value of 37 m (121’5”) for braking from 62 mph to 0. For a vehicle that accelerates that quick, it should be able to brake better. However, the one-pedal drive feature is great in daily driving and you almost never have to touch the brake pedal, making your life that much easier and more convenient.

Acceleration and deceleration are measured with a RaceBox device inside the car. Testing is done with a single person inside the car, with air conditioning and traction control off.

Consumption

As we've noticed in our previous tests, Tesla models tend to be exceptionally efficient. The 2024 Model 3 is no exception and is the overall most efficient vehicle in our test rooster, leaving all of its close competitors in the dust. Especially when put against rivals with similar power figures, the Tesla Model 3 LR shines as an efficiency king and well deserves its "Long Range" moniker.

We measure consumption by driving at constant speeds on an identical test route during the day. Testing is conducted with air conditioning, all safety systems and radio on. The data comes from the vehicle's board computer. Specific testing parameters, such as ambient temperature, are mentioned in the text on a case-by-case basis.

You can use the widget below to find out the Tesla Model 3's range in every combination of speed and temperature you might need. We've used our real world tests and a complex model to provide an estimate that should be as close to the actual performance as possible.

Charging speed

The Tesla supercharger network now offers up to 250 kW peak charging power. We tested whether the Model 3 can reach these figures on a standard CCS charging station and despite the high ambient temperature, the Model 3 reached 250 kW of charging power without hesitation. This power quickly drops after charging for a while and the 10-80% charging time is not as impressive at 27 minutes, putting the Model 3 on par with competitors that charge at much lower peak power levels.

Competition

The Tesla Model 3's direct rivals are not that many, as the market is shifting towards SUVs and crossovers.

Its closest rival is the Polestar 2. It was also updated lately and targets the same buyers. The Scandinavian design is much more distinctive, but seating and storage space are more limited in the Swede. The Polestar is a more traditional vehicle with a gauge cluster, normal door handles and much more engaging driving experience, especially when equipped with the Öhlins racing suspension. The Tesla shines with a better infotainment and quicker acceleration.

The second competitor is the BMW i4. It comes with less powerful engine choices, as well as compromised cargo and interior space, but its huge benefits are its build quality and its driving characteristics. The Bavarian handles curvy roads like no other in that segment and the premium setting in the interior wins it some solid bonus points over the more spartan Tesla.

Polestar 2 Long range Dual motor 2023 - • BMW i4 xDrive40 2023 -

Verdict

Tesla is recording amazing sales figures for the Model 3, and that shouldn't be surprising, given how good of an all-around vehicle it is. Its intended purpose as a daily driver and a family vehicle is perfectly executed.

It can be argued that the Model 3 is somewhat lacking in character and individuality, as it doesn't provoke any excitement while driving, but it's quite happy with its role of transporting you from point A to point B. But many people are content with getting just that from their new car. And in that sense, the Model 3 hardly has any cons.

The improvements we see in the interior and its build quality have been well overdue, but there is a long way to go in the choice of materials, and this will hopefully be addressed in the next generation.

The Tesla Model 3 is quick and offers plenty to the technology aficionados, for which the passion for driving is a secondary requirement. The improved suspension and better acceleration make the Model 3 LR that much better than its predecessor and driving it is anything but tiring. It is a perfect companion for both a long ride or a quick city errand, and this versatility is key to the Model 3's success.

Pros

• Drastically improved build quality, compared to the predecessor.
• Extraordinary efficiency.
• Many features for the rear passengers.
• Industry-leading technology.
• Spacious and comfortable interior.
• Quick acceleration.
• Lots of storage space for the segment.

Cons

• No gauge cluster.
• Overcomplicated use of otherwise simple features.
• The steering wheel feels disconnected.
• Almost no ambient lighting.
• Lack of customization options.
• No CarPlay or Android Auto.