The Tesla Model 3 is truly the electric generation’s example of “The People’s Car—a car affordable and practical enough for common people to own.” The first production year of the Model 3 was in 2017, which came with the promise of bringing down the cost of electric cars to make them more affordable for the average car buyer.
Since then, Tesla has sold over 1.2 million Model 3s worldwide. Think a Model 3 might be your next car purchase? Here’s everything you need to know first:
2023 Tesla Model 3 Price and Drivetrain Options
Tesla offers the Model 3 in two drivetrain options for the 2023 model year. The base model is a single-motor, rear-wheel drive (RWD) Model 3 starts at just under $43,000. The all-wheel-drive (AWD), dual-motor Performance Option starts at $11,000 more than the base model.
2023 Tesla Model 3s Performance
It is difficult to say anything negative about the Performance of a Tesla Model 3. A 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds from the RWD base model is more than enough get-up-and-go for the average commuter to break ahead from an on-ramp flow control light… or what we call “The Starting Line”.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Performance Option
If speed is what you want, then you will surely want to upgrade to the AWD Performance Option. With the $11,000 Performance Option, your Model 3 will be outfitted with a carbon fiber spoiler, 20” Uberturbine wheels, aluminum brake and throttle pedals, and flashy red brake calipers.
Even better, the Performance Option adds a second motor that drives the front wheels and increases the combined horsepower to 455. That’s enough power to launch the Model 3 from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 3.1 seconds.
That’s fast enough to leave a 2023 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack one and a half seconds behind you by the end of the freeway on-ramp.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Long-Range Option
Another Long Range version is expected to be released later in 2023. Tesla has yet to announce the price and features of the upcoming Long Range but we suspect it will have the same configuration as the Model Y Long Range.
Like the Model Y, it will have dual motors and an all-wheel drive configuration. However, the Long Range will likely have smaller 19” wheels than the Performance and the power output will be reduced further to extend the range. The price will likely be about $4,000 less than the Model 3 Performance.
Winter Driving Performance
If you are looking for the right combination for cold weather driving, then may we suggest passing on the Model 3 and opting for the better-suited Tesla Model Y? The Model Y has better features for climates with ice and snow.
These features include an integrated battery heater that will increase the Model Y’s range and improve charging when temperatures drop below 40 degrees. It’s important to note that future Teslas will all include the new integrated battery heater.
Additionally, the Model Y comes standard with dual motors and all-wheel-drive, and a greater ride height. Lastly, the Model Y features an Off-Road setting to improve traction in snow, ice, and mud. All this for just a grand more than the Model 3 Performance.
Exterior
The sleek exterior of the Model 3 is nothing less than outstanding. Integrated headlights, a low hood, and muscular wheel haunches give the front of the Model 3 the look of a futuristic sports car. While the body of the Model 3 features four full-size doors and a sweeping roofline that leads to a hatchback trunk.
Tesla Model 3 Color Options
To keep costs low, Tesla only offers the Model 3 in five exterior colors. Pearl White is sprayed on at no additional cost. If you want any “color” you’ll have to pay extra. Metallic Silver or Blue is $1,000 more, Solid Black is $1,500, and Red Multi-Coat will cost you an extra $2,000.
All 2023 Teslas come standard with blacked-out emblems, door handles, and window trim. There are no options for chrome trim like previous Tesla Models.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Wheel and Tire Options
The base RWD Model 3 comes equipped with 18” Aero Wheels on Hankook all-season tires, or you can spring for the 19” Sport Wheels for an additional $1,500. If you want the iconic 20” Uberturbine wheels you will need to upgrade your Model 3 to the AWD Performance Upgrade or look on Facebook Marketplace where you can find a used set for around $2,000.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Interior
2023 Tesla Model 3 Interior Color Options
The Model 3 is available in two interior trim options. The standard is a light faux wood with black sustainable leather seats or you can opt for the upgraded white sustainable leather with white trim for $1,000 more.
Tesla owners have reported that the white seats feel softer and are more comfortable than the black even though Tesla says it is made from the same materials. Some also stated that the white is obviously much more difficult to keep clean and wears faster.
No matter what color seats you select, all Model 3s are equipped with heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Panoramic Roof
One of the main features that sets the Model 3 apart from other sub-$50,000 EVs is the impressive panoramic sunroof. The massive sunroof stretches from the top of the windshield all the way to the base of the hatchback with only a thin support behind the front seats dividing it. This is hard to find in a $100,000 luxury car, much less for half the cost.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Technology
The Tesla Model 3 has a very simplistic interior. The first thing you will notice when you sit in the driver’s seat of a Model 3 is that there are no separate gauges for the driver. All the driver’s controls are included in the 15” center touchscreen.
Was this to accentuate the modernist design or to save cost? Whatever the case, for most people, driving a Model 3 will take some getting used to. The screen contains all the driver’s information, heating and air controls, and the entertainment. Other than two mouse-style rolly-ball controls there are no switches, buttons, or dials anywhere on the dash.
Like other Teslas, the Basic Auto-Pilot (Active Cruise Control) comes standard on the Model 3. If you want your Tesla to change lanes to avoid traffic and to park itself, you have to upgrade to the Enhanced Autopilot for $6,000.
Tesla Self-Driving Capabilities can also be added to your Model 3 by paying a monthly subscription of either $99 or $199, or by upgrading for a one-time fee of $15,000 at the time of purchase.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Safety Features
All Tesla Model 3s come standard with 8 cameras and can be equipped with up to 12 sensors. The Model 3 is also equipped with electronically-assisted braking and steering systems that allow the safety systems to steer and brake to avoid collisions.
Tesla Model 3 Active Safety Features
The above-mentioned cameras and sensors allow the Model 3 to provide the following safety features that are standard on all models.
- Lane Assist
- Collision Avoidance Assist
- Speed Assist
- Cabin Camera
At EVROOM, driver and pedestrian safety is our #1 concern. We are very pleased that these Tesla safety features are standard on all Tesla models.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Warranty
The Tesla Model 3 is protected by a New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which includes the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty, the Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty, and the Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty.
- Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty: The Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty covers your vehicle for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty: The Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty covers your vehicle for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty: 8 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, with minimum 70% retention of Battery capacity over the warranty period.
2023 Tesla Model 3 Specs
| RWD | Performance AWD | |
| Starting Price | $42,990 | $53,990 |
| Battery | ||
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 8 hours | 8 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | 170 kW | 250 kW |
| Battery Size | 80 kWh | 80 kWh |
| Battery Heater | Included | Included |
| Charge Port Location | Driver Rear Tail Light | Driver Rear Tail Light |
| Bidirectional Charging | Not Available | Not Available |
| Motor | ||
| Motor Size | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| Motor Count | 1 | 2 |
| Horsepower | 271 hp | 455 hp |
| Torque | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| Performance | ||
| Range | 267 miles | 315 miles |
| 0-60 | 5.8 seconds | 3.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 140 mph | 162 mph |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
| Interior | ||
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Instrument Display | Not Available | Not Available |
| Infotainment Display | 15.4” | 15.4” |
| Ambient Lighting | Not Available | Not Available |
| Heated Front Seats | Included | Included |
| Heated Rear Seats | Included | Included |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Not Available | Not Available |
| Massage Seats | Not Available | Not Available |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Included | Included |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Synthetic | Synthetic |
| Sunroof Roof | Included | Included |
| Technology | ||
| Heads-up Display | Not Available | Not Available |
| Active Cruise Control | Included | Included |
| 360 View | Not Available | Not Available |
| App | Included | Included |
| Safety Features | ||
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Included | Included |
| Blind-Spot Detection | Included | Included |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Not Available | Not Available |
| Warranty | ||
| Car | 4 yrs / 50,000 miles | 4 yrs / 50,000 miles |
| Battery | 8 yrs / 100,000 miles | 8 yrs / 100,000 miles |
| 2023 US Tax Credit | ||
| Qualifies? | Yes | Yes |
Bottom Line
For someone that lives in a calm climate area and desires a sporty mid-sized-ish electric car, then the Tesla Model 3 is a good option. However, I can’t help but feel that most of the U.S. has snow and ice for 6 months of the year, which makes the Model Y with dual motors, all-wheel drive, and an integrated battery heater, more attractive.
We think Tesla needs to offer an AWD Long-Range version of the Model 3 and keep the price under $45,000. That would be a real winner!
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