Tesla Model 3

The Model 3's 2024 freshening brought a marked improvement in ride comfort, but the controls have become even more distracting. The swift acceleration and agile handling for this all-electric sedan remain. We recorded 334 miles during our 70-mph highway-range test of the Long Range all-wheel-drive version, which is quite impressive. Home charging is on the speedy side, at about 44 miles of range gained per hour. Though the front seats are comfortable, the rear seat is tight. Most controls, including the gear selector and adjusting the dash vents and side mirrors, are operated through the touchscreen. The turn signals are controlled via buttons on the steering wheel, which is very distracting. Tiny red LEDs at the base of the windshield pillars form a token BSW system, and RCTW is now standard. For 2026, a new Standard rear-wheel-drive base trim was introduced which gets less range and includes less features than higher trims. The Standard trim also includes a traditional turn signal stalk which is rumored to be returning to higher trims.

The latest model to join Tesla's portfolio is the Model 3 sedan, positioned as the most budget-friendly car in the line. The Model 3 with the 60-kWh battery promises an EPA-rated 215-mile range, swift acceleration, and a full suite of standard advanced safety features. There is also a higher-performance 75-kWh version with dual motors. All Model 3s come equipped with the Autopilot suite of advanced driver-assistance features, which can be enabled via an over-the-air software upgrade. Sized and priced to compete with the BMW 3 Series, the Model 3 seats five in its stark cabin. The dash is barren, except for a massive landscape-oriented touchscreen.

Changes for 2019 included new software updates, such as Sentry Mode, which uses the car's cameras to monitor the car's surroundings. Dog mode, which runs the AC when a dog is left inside, is also new. A display on the car's screen asks by-passers not to break a window to save the dog. Other changes for 2019 included Tesla's new Navigate on Autopilot software, which lets drivers choose whether the car can automatically change lanes without their input.