Overview
Among the more affordable options in the electric-vehicle marketplace, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 is, without doubt, the one with the most name recognition. It also earns a spot on our Editors' Choice list. It borrows some styling cues from the company's Model S sedan and Model X SUV, but goes its own way with a unique interior design and an all-glass roof. Acceleration is quick, and the Model 3's chassis is playful as well—especially the Performance model's, which receives a sportier suspension and a track driving mode. But EV buyers are more likely interested in driving range than speediness or handling, and the Model 3 delivers there too. The base model offers up to 263 miles of driving range according to the EPA, and the more expensive Long Range model can go up to 353 per charge.
What's New for 2021?
Tesla is giving its entry level Model 3 sedan a host of enhancements for 2021, including exterior styling elements that have swapped bright chrome for satin black trim. Three new wheel designs give the rolling stock a fresh look, and the trunk lid is now power-operated. Appearance upgrades continue inside where the car's metallic door-sill protectors inherit the black satin trim to match the exterior. The Model 3's center console has been redesigned to accommodate two wireless smartphone charging pads, and the sun visors now use a magnet to hold them in place. The seat-adjustment controls and the steering-wheel-mounted infotainment scroll wheels have new finishes—the former in graphite colored paint and the latter in metal. Most important of all is the Model 3's improved driving range. The base Standard Range Plus model now claims a driving range of 263 miles per charge, up from 250, while the Long Range model boasts a 353-mile range, 31 miles more than the 2020 model delivered.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
As with most EVs, the Model 3 gains speed smoothly and almost silently, with the electric motor providing strong power from a stop. And it's fast—extremely so in some trims. The rear-wheel-drive Long Range model we tested sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The Model 3 Performance rockets to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds—0.5-second faster than our long-term Model Long Range. Like all Teslas, the Model 3 carries its battery under the floor, resulting in a low center of gravity. This helps it change direction crisply and feel planted and stable in corners. The steering is accurate and well weighted, with three different settings that adjust the level of steering effort. The ride is firm without being harsh; without the noise of a gas-powered engine, however, you do hear plenty of noise inside the cabin as the tires thwack and thrum over pavement imperfections.