Tesla Model 3

Name: 2026 Tesla Model 3
Brand: Tesla

CR HWY Range:

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

There is 1 recall on this vehicle. Learn More.

Road Test

Predicted Reliability Details

Predicted Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

A major freshening for the 2024 Model 3 brought a quieter cabin, improved interior materials, a smoother ride, and an 8-inch climate and an available infotainment touchscreen for rear passengers. As before, the Model 3 is thrilling to drive, thanks to the immediate thrust from its all-electric powertrain along with superb, tied-down handling. Further, it makes “going electric” easy, thanks to its appealing midsized packaging, long driving range, and robust Supercharger compatibility which allows for rapid recharging across a vast network. And Tesla has (finally!) incorporated blind spot warning indicator lights near the side mirrors (more on that later).

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Tesla Model 3

vs. Similar Cars

Fiat 500e

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Hyundai Kona Elec...

Hyundai Kona Electric

Kia Niro Electric

See All Models Predicted Reliability

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Distracting controls

Distracting controls

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

View all Owner Satisfaction

Tesla vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Distracting controls

Distracting controls

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Tesla vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Distracting controls

Distracting controls

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Tesla vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Electric cars Ratings

2026 Tesla Model 3

$36,990 - $54,990

CR HWY Range

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2027 Chevrolet Bolt

$27,600 - $31,600

EPA Range 255 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2025 Fiat 500e

$30,500

CR HWY Range

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6

$37,850 - $54,600

CR HWY Range

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Hyundai Kona Electric

$32,975 - $41,150

EPA Range 200 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2025 Hyundai Nexo

$60,135 - $63,585

EPA Range 354 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Kia EV3

$35,000 - $50,000

EPA Range 350 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Kia EV4

$36,000 - $40,000

EPA Range 330 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

2026 Kia Niro Electric

$39,600 - $44,600

CR HWY Range

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

In Test

2026 Nissan Leaf

$29,990 - $38,990

EPA Range 288 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

CR's
Take

2026 Toyota Mirai

$51,795

EPA Range 402 miles

Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

See All Electric cars Ratings

Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Rear

electric (510 hp)
electric (394 hp)
electric (241 hp)

1-speed direct

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft. (total)
Join Consumer Reports cu. ft. (rear)

Basic 4 years/50,000 miles
Drivetrain 8 years/100,000 miles
Corrosion 12 years/unlimited miles
Roadside Aid 4 years/50,000 miles
Maintenance NA

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2024-Present

Current Generation

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.

2017-2023

2017 Redesign Year

The latest model to join Tesla's portfolio is the Model 3 sedan, positioned as the most affordable 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 that can be enabled with 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, with the exception of a massive, landscape-oriented touch screen.

Changes for 2019 included new software updates such as a Sentry Mode which uses the car's cameras to monitor the car's surroundings. Dog mode is also new and it runs the AC when a dog is left inside. 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.

The Model 3 received its first major freshening for the 2024 model year, seven years after it originally hit the market. The ride has been improved but the controls are more distracting to use. For 2025, the Standard Range Model 3 has been dropped. RCTW became available through an over-the-air update. 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.