Compact electric sedan with long range and performance variants
The Tesla Model 3 is the electric car that changed everything. As Tesla's most affordable vehicle, it brought long-range electric driving to the mainstream and became one of the best-selling cars in the world regardless of powertrain.
The Model 3 was unveiled in March 2016 with over 400,000 reservations in the first week. Production began in mid-2017 after significant manufacturing challenges that Elon Musk called "production hell." The car quickly became the best-selling EV globally. The Highland refresh (2024) brought a redesigned exterior, improved interior with ambient lighting, and enhanced efficiency.
The Model 3 features a minimalist interior centered around a 15.4-inch touchscreen that controls nearly everything. It offers rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations, with the Performance variant delivering supercar-beating acceleration. The car receives regular over-the-air updates adding new features and improvements.
The original Model 3 Performance shocked the automotive world with its acceleration. The Long Range variant offers over 350 miles of range. The Highland refresh brought the Model 3 up to date with modern Tesla design language. The Model 3 consistently tops EV sales charts globally.
The Model 3 was the first car to reach #1 on European sales charts regardless of fuel type. It can play video games, make fart noises through its exterior speaker, and host a light show synchronized to music. The Model 3 earned a 5-star safety rating in every category tested by NHTSA.