2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance review

07/28/2024 09:00 AM

2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance

If you want to buy a phone, you think iPhone. If you want a choccy milk, you think Big M.

And if you want to buy an electric car, I bet you've thought about a Tesla.

If you were looking at an EV a few years ago, the Tesla Model 3 would be an easy recommendation. But now, here in 2024 when there are electric cars in all shapes and sizes and in almost all price brackets, is it still the benchmark for those that want petrol-free motoring?

On test this week is the top-spec Model 3 Performance, which has been a poster child for sticking it to the (vehicle) establishment thanks to supercar-scaring acceleration and an affordable price tag, but is this still one of the best EVs you can buy?

How much is a Tesla Model 3?

Gone are the days where you would need to spend six figures on a well-equipped, future-proofed electric car that has decent looks and even better driving range.

To put it another way, good EVs are getting cheap, and nowhere is this more apparent than with the Tesla Model 3.

At the time of writing, the line-up kicks off at $54,900 before on-road costs for the Rear-Wheel Drive variant, and moves up to $64,900 for the Long Range all-wheel drive.

This top-spec Performance, however, commands an $80,900 price tag, which might seem like a lot for a Mazda 6-sized sedan, but it has a party trick even cars three times the price cannot match.

But before I reveal the trick, let's have a look at what you get for your spend.

Highlights in the Tesla Model 3's equipment list include power-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, a synthetic leather interior, tinted glass roof, dual wireless smartphone charger, keyless entry via the Tesla smartphone app, an 8.0-inch rear passenger touchscreen, and a 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen.

However, unique to the Performance are 20-inch forged alloy wheels, front sport seats with 'Ludicrous' badging, carbon-fibre dashboard, metal pedal covers, adaptive sports suspension, and uprated brakes with red-painted calipers.

Not all of this equipment is great, though, and I'll run through some of the compromises a bit further down in this review.

And that trick I mentioned earlier? This car is claimed to accelerate from 0–100km/h in a scarcely believable 3.1 seconds, meaning it will beat basically everything else on the road.

But just how can the Tesla Model 3 Performance offer up such prodigious, well, performance?

It comes down to its dual-motor all-wheel-drive set-up, with a combined output claim of 380kW and 740Nm – at least for the US.

Tesla quotes 343kW on its local website, because Aussie cars are a little less powerful than US cars due to a different battery pack.

You might see a figure of 461kW quoted online, that's the maximum combined output of its front and rear electric motors – but the battery can't actually supply that much at any given time.

Confused? All that really matters is that ludicrously quick 3.1sec 0–100km/h time – and on a racetrack, this car's 261km/h top speed.

In terms of rivals, there’s the BYD Seal Performance and Hyundai Ioniq 6 AWD Epiq to consider priced at $68,798 and $86,500 before on-road costs respectively.

However, neither offers the level of potency on offer with the Tesla Model 3 Performance, with the Seal hitting the landmark triple-digit speed in 3.8sec, while the Ioniq needs 5.1sec.

In fact, if you wanted to be quicker, you'd have to spend well over $300,000 on a Porsche Taycan Turbo or something with a Ferrari, McLaren or Lamborghini badge.

In terms of sheer performance value, the top-dog Model 3 is unbeatable, but if you didn't care about going as fast possible in the shortest amount of time available, the more affordable Model 3 grades are still quick enough and offer much better value.

How big is a Tesla Model 3?

As for interior comfort and practicality, it's in fact excellent for a sedan measuring 4720mm long, 1933mm wide, 1431mm tall, and with a 2875mm wheelbase.

The front sports seats are a particular highlight, balancing comfort and ergonomics well.

Of course, the electronic adjustment offers plenty of manoeuvrability to find just the right driving position, though I do find the seat is positioned a little too high, even in its lowest setting.

Up front, storage is also plentiful with a door pocket that will take a large bottle, two cupholders between the front occupants, a dual wireless smartphone charging tray, a deep storage box where the shifter would usually go, and another underarm storage cubby.

There's also a glovebox, but it's not opened in the traditional sense, instead requiring you to dive into the touchscreen menu or the Tesla smartphone app to pop it open.

And if that sounds like an annoyance to you, ask yourself, when was the last time you actually opened your glovebox?

In the rear seats, I have sufficient head, leg and shoulder room for my six-foot-tall (183cm) frame, and the seats feel plush and supportive.

And the flat floor makes it easier to fit three passengers back here, but you'd probably only want to use the second-row seats for two, especially if your occupants are adults or teenagers.

Amenities back here include a bottle-swallowing door pocket, a fold-down centre armrest, two USB-C charging ports, and a rear touchscreen panel to control climate settings.

And for family buyers, the Model 3 Performance has two ISOFIX positions in the outboard seats, as well as three top-tether anchorage points. In my time with the car, I did install two seats for my kids, and there's plenty of room for both the seats and for them to clamber in and out of them.

Pop the boot, and there's a cavernous 594 litres of storage space available, which is plenty big for golf clubs, a full-sized pram, and more.

There's also a handy underfloor storage cubby, which is even big enough for carry-on-sized luggage, or for stashing anything you don't want rolling around in the boot.

But because of its sedan shape, it isn't the easiest to load anything big and cumbersome into the rear end of the Model 3. Height is the biggest impediment here, so you're better off taking an SUV or wagon to Bunnings or Ikea.

The rear seats also fold down to liberate more space, but to what extent Tesla has not revealed, though you are still hampered by a small pass-through between the boot and cabin.

And as an electric car with a low-mounted battery pack, the Tesla Model 3 also feature a front boot, measuring 88L in volume, which is handy for backpacks or groceries.

However, it's also worth noting you don't get a charging cable with the purchase price, you have to pay extra for that, nor a puncture repair kit – let alone a spare wheel.

Does the Tesla Model 3 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

Okay, I've run you through what the Tesla Model 3 has to offer on paper, but in reality, living with this thing comes with its own unique set of challenges.

By now it should be obvious that Tesla does not like to do things conventionally, and nowhere is this more evident than in the cabin.

Adopting a pared-back, minimalist aesthetic, the layout of the Model 3's dashboard is clean and simple – or to put it another way, where's all the stuff? There's no instrumentation, there's no head-up display, there's no steering wheel stalks, and there’s not even a shift lever.

Basically, every single car function is controlled by the central 15.4-inch infotainment touchscreen – from opening the glovebox to putting the car into park.

And if you are still struggling to come to grips with backing up your photos on the cloud or smart home automation, this should give you pause for thought.

You want to adjust the steering column? Touchscreen.

You need to adjust the side mirrors? Touchscreen.

How about opening the front boot from inside the car? You guessed it, touchscreen.

To be fair to Tesla, if you owned this car, you'd only adjust some of these settings once and lock them to your profile.

You'd also get access to the Tesla smartphone app that allows quality-of-life features like keyless entry, but there's no denying that the Model 3 forces you into interacting with it on its terms and many traditional 'car' inputs are thrown out the window.

For example, this system lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, so you are stuck using the inbuilt satellite navigation and the handful of apps available.

Luckily, the touchscreen interface is fast and snappy, letting you jump between menus and functions lightning quick, and some integrated apps like Spotify do work better here compared with CarPlay or Android Auto.

However, it does mean that users of apps like Waze are left in the cold as there is no support here.

With an always-online connection, Tesla also promises frequent updates to the system that should add functionality, but you should never buy a product based on promised features that aren't already available out of the box.

The screen can also get really busy as you bring up menus over the satellite navigation, juggle with climate controls, throw on an indicator, and I do wish there were an easier way of just coming back to the home screen.

If you are the person your friends and family call when they have Wi-Fi trouble, you won't have a problem coming to terms with the Tesla Model 3 interface.

But if you are the person making that call, well, be prepared for a fairly steep learning curve and long adjustment period.

Is it a deal-breaker, though? That's hard for me to answer.

For me, I think the tech-forward, touchscreen-heavy interface is neat, and pushes the Model 3 more towards a gadget or device that just so happens can also be driven from A to B.

But if you've been driving for decades at this point and want an EV to see you through your twilight years, this is probably all too much, and there are other electric cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Toyota bZ4X that make going electric less jarring and way more familiar.

Is the Tesla Model 3 a safe car?

While the pre-facelift Tesla Model 3 was awarded a maximum five-star safety score from ANCAP in 2019, the peak safety body specifically pointed out the result does not apply to the updated 2024 electric car.

When the 2024 Tesla Model 3 first arrived in Australia in January, it confirmed to have not met compliance because the top tether point for the middle back seat was not accessible, resulting in a recall and remedy.

Drive understands ANCAP is still working on the new Model 3’s safety rating as some structural changes were made, including strengthening the doors to better align with the United States’ stricter side-impact crash tests.

The updated Model 3 also has an extra centre airbag, taking its total to seven.

For reference, the pre-facelifted version achieved a particularly high adult occupant protection and safety assist test scores of 96 and 94 per cent respectively.

The child occupant protection test also yielded a respectable 87 per cent score, while the vulnerable road user protection examination determined a 74 per cent result.

It is unclear how much of the old car’s test results are applicable to the updated Tesla Model 3.

What safety technology does the Tesla Model 3 have?

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 comes with a long list of standard safety equipment, including the brand’s much-talked-about ‘Autopilot’ system.

Of course, there is autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist, a driver attention monitor, and tyre pressure monitoring – all gear you would expect from a passenger car in this price bracket in 2024.

However, there is no rear cross-traffic alert – an especially handy feature in a sedan like the Tesla Model 3 where rearward visibility is not as clear as something like an SUV.

In my time with the car, I found the safety systems to work as expected, and I never experienced any instances of overzealousness from the forward collision warning or driver attention monitor that can present in other vehicles.

New in the updated Model 3 is also a blind-spot indicator light, found in the the speaker at the base of the A-pillar, which illuminates when there is something in the car’s blind spot.

Although small, it is a welcome addition that makes situational awareness in the Model 3 Performance that much easier, and complements the camera-based monitoring system well.

And how can I review a Tesla without talking about the Autopilot semi-autonomous feature.

It's essentially a rebranded adaptive cruise control with lane centring, and in that regard, the Autopilot stuff works just fine. I've been in cars with worse systems, and I've been in others that are better.

There are two options buyers can opt for when purchasing a new Model 3 Performance, namely the $5100 Enhanced Autopilot pack or the $10,100 Full Self-Driving Capability bundle.

The former adds Navigate on Autopilot, a semi-autonomous driving mode that will take into account location data to move the car towards freeway exit ramps, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, and Summon functions.

The latter adds everything found in the Enhanced Autopilot pack, as well as Traffic Light and Stop Sign Control and a bespoke autonomous driving processor that is capable of over-the-air updates.

Overall, the safety systems in the Tesla Model 3 are just very well-honed and calibrated, and do not present as annoyances like in other vehicles, but it is certainly not the next evolution in driving that many have touted it to be.

How much does the Tesla Model 3 cost to run?

Like all new Teslas sold in Australia, the Model 3 Performance comes with a four-year/80,000km warranty, which falls behind the industry standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre assurance period offered up by Toyota, Polestar, Mazda, Ford, Nissan, Hyundai, BMW, Audi, and others.

However, the high-voltage components are covered by an eight-year/192,000km warranty, which also promises the battery will retain at least 70 per cent of its capacity in that time.

Unlike traditional petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles, the Tesla Model 3 has no set timeframe for services, but instead is maintained on a conditional basis. This means the car will detect wear and tear issues that need to be addressed, in which a mobile technician can come to you to remedy the situation.

This makes planning or budgeting for vehicle maintenance impossible with the Tesla Model 3 Performance, and therefore vehicle ownership fees cannot be determined.

However, Tesla Australia does list some recommended items to address at certain intervals, such as replacing the cabin filter every two years, rotating tyres every 10,000km, and testing brake fluid every four years.

The full list of vehicle maintenance recommendations can be found on the Tesla Australia website here.

To insure a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance, it will cost $2759 per annum based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

This makes it significantly more expensive to insure than a BYD Seal Performance ($1672) and Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor Performance ($1732).

What is the range of a Tesla Model 3?

You would think that potent performance would come at a cost, but not only is the Tesla Model 3 Performance one of the quickest EVs in Australia, it is also one of the most efficient.

Its official energy consumption claim of just 16.7kWh per 100 kilometres means this Tesla uses less electricity than some versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Polestar 2, despite these models also being slower and less potent.

In my time with the car, after much testing of the various drive modes, I managed to average 17.4kWh/100km, coming damn close to the claimed figure.

With a reported 79kWh battery – again, Tesla does not provide an exact figure – the Model 3 Performance features a maximum driving range of 528km when tested on the WLTP standard.

When fully charged, the Tesla Model 3 Performance shows 516km of driving range on the dashboard, and even accounting for variables like weather and air conditioning that might sap a few kilometres here or there, a more than 500km cruising range should be more than enough to get you through your working week.

And when the battery does start to run low, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is capable of fast-charging up to 250kW, meaning downtime is pretty short.

When using one of Tesla's Supercharger units, this car can recharge from 10–80 per cent in around half an hour – barely enough time to get into the shops for a poke around.

The caveat, though, is that Superchargers, and public charging in general, can be hard to come by depending on where you live, and you will be fighting the thousands of Tesla customers and EV owners for a charging space on long weekend road trips.

Still, this remains the hurdle for anyone looking at EV ownership right now, and isn't unique to the Tesla Model 3, so be sure that you at least have access to reliable charging at home or work before committing to an electric car.

What is the Tesla Model 3 like to drive?

The first thing you have to come to grips with when driving a 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance is just how different it is from driving almost any other car.

For starters, there's no instrument cluster or head-up display, which isn't a nod to the Toyota Rukus, but is an effort for a cleaner, minimalist cabin.

Instead, your speedo is found in the corner of the infotainment screen, which takes a while to get used to, but is just in your line of sight enough that it's an easy enough adjustment.

You also have to change your indicator habits because there are no stalks to signal left and right, with that function now relegated to buttons on the steering wheel.

Again, though, it's counterintuitive and fiddly to begin with, but after some time with this car, I honestly did get used to it so much that it started to feel even natural.

It's also helped by the fact the indicators are clever, in that the car can recognise a lane change and turn the signal off automatically, meaning you don't have to press that button again to turn it off.

What I cannot get around, though, is the lack of a shifter.

You should all know by now that the updated Tesla Model 3 has thrown tradition out the window and doesn't offer a physical way for you to shift into drive, reverse or park, but instead has placed this function – once again – into the touchscreen interface.

You end up swiping up to put the car in drive, and swiping down for reverse, while a press will place the car into park.

In theory, it's a neat solution, but in practice it's awfully unergonomic, especially when trying to navigate a three-point turn, and I've found myself in more than a few situations where I've accidentally put the car into park when wanting to go into reverse.

Call me a Luddite all you want, but this just plain sucks.

Okay, with these hurdles cleared, what's the Tesla Model 3 Performance actually like behind the wheel?

Well, it’s downright excellent, offering a level of performance, comfort, and engagement rarely seen, not only in an EV, but in any car regardless of powertrain.

Of course, straight-line performance is nothing short of phenomenal, and planting the right foot is met by instantaneous acceleration that is so strong it will pin you to the back of your seat.

For those that don't quite want insane acceleration all the time, though, you can adjust the drive mode to Chill or Standard – otherwise known as Eco and Normal for those of us lacking ‘rizz’ and don't speak Gen Z.

Steering can also be tweaked between Light, Normal, and Heavy settings, so you can find the right calibration for you, with my preference actually being Light as it still offers usable feedback without inducing an arm workout.

On the topic of steering, the Model 3 Performance is once again, excellent, feeling sporty and agile thanks to a very responsive feel.

I'll also call out this driving position, which like I said earlier feels a little too high for my tastes, but allows you to see the bulging front wheel arches so you know exactly where you are placed at all times.

As for the suspension, the Model 3 Performance now has adaptive dampers – new for this facelifted model – which can be adjusted from Standard to Sport.

However, this is still a nearly two-tonne sedan with most of its weight in the floor, so even in the softest setting there are still instances where large bumps can jiggle the car about.

Put it into Sport, though, and it really does firm up the Model 3 and makes it more planted and hunkered down in the corners.

Aiding the Model 3 Performance's surefootedness are great Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres measuring 275/30 in the rear and 235/35 in the front. The rubber is never overwhelmed by this powertrain either, handling hard launches and high-speed changes of direction equally well.

And to scrub speed, the Performance's upgraded brakes are more than up to task, offering up good feel and feedback in all situations.

The pedal does take a moment to get used to, though, as there is a level of retardation that slows the car when lifting off the throttle and gradually gets bitier as you press the brake.

While this cannot be changed through the usual touchscreen menu, you can put the Model 3 Performance into Track Mode for more regen braking options, as well as settings that can tweak handling balance and stability.

Of course, Track Mode is the best tool to squeeze the most out of your Model 3 Performance when racing around a circuit, but keep in mind that the harder and faster you go, the quicker your battery will drain.

Of course, tying all this together is that wonderful electric powertrain.

And I've already talked about its incredible performance potential, and with steering that feels great and polished handling dynamics, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is a genuinely great driver's car.

But when you don't want to have so much fun, the Model 3 Performance is also a comfortable and capable commuter, offering a near-silent driving experience and a serene ambience.

I'll stop short of calling it premium, to me it's not quite luxurious enough, but in terms of a sedan that can be both sporty and comfortable, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Can a Tesla Model 3 tow?

The Tesla Model 3 Performance is rated to tow a braked and unbraked capacity of 500kg, though hauling in an electric car will have a significant impact on driving range and efficiency.

With that 500kg towing capacity, the Model 3 Performance can technically handle a small trailer and some bulky items, but its towing repertoire is limited.

Still, with instant torque and prodigious acceleration potential, the Model 3 Performance should be able to handle hauling a load without much effort.

With a payload capacity of 417kg, the Model 3 Performance should also be able to accommodate small families and some gear, but keep that figure in mind if carting around four fully grown adults.

Should I buy a Tesla Model 3?

Don't believe the hype, the Tesla Model 3 Performance isn't a perfect car, not by a long shot, but then again what is?

It offers up mind-boggling performance and a fun-to-drive charm that is hard to match at this price point, and wraps all that up in a tech-laden, all-electric package that can also be frugal.

There is a caveat, though, and that is you need to have a level of tech literacy, or be willing to dive deep into an instruction manual, to come to terms with it.

I didn't love this car to begin with because the learning curve is steep, but once you overcome these teething problems, I grew to love the Tesla Model 3 Performance and I think it is one of the best electric cars you can buy today.

How do I buy a Tesla Model 3? The next steps.

Tesla Model 3s are not quite as uncommon as they were when they first launched, so it should be easy to tee up a test drive in one via a store.

The EV brand does not operate dealerships in a traditional sense, and features a retail footprint that offers test-drive facilities, but all purchases are done online directly through Tesla.

You can find your nearest Tesla store here.

Tesla will also give an estimated window of delivery after you have optioned out your desired car, giving a timeframe of when your new model will be available.

Second-hand Teslas have also started to hit the market, which can be browsed on Drive Marketplace here, and to stay on top of all the latest brand news, check out this link here.

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