2023 Tesla Model 3 Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, and Photos
What kind of car is the 2023 Tesla Model 3? What does it compare to?
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 is an electric mid-size sedan that sets a high bar for the electric cars that have followed, ranging from the Ford Mustang Mach-E to the BMW i4, and even the related but less impressive Tesla Model Y crossover.
Is the 2023 Tesla Model 3 a good car?
Review continues below
The Model 3 balances performance and efficiency better than any other electric car, and automakers still can’t match the technology nerve center of the Model 3. But questionable build quality and a noisy, busy ride suppress its otherwise high TCC Rating of 8.0 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
Following last year’s switch to a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery in the base model, the electric mid-size sedan stands pat. For now. Rumors suggest a redesign for the five-year-old Model 3 could follow the larger Model S.
What hasn’t changed much is its blistering performance. The rear-wheel-drive base Model 3 has 272 miles of estimated range, and it can hit 60 mph in less than six seconds. But the dual-motor Performance model can’t be matched, with a stunning 60 mph time of 3.1 seconds that induces giggles and gasps alike. The range for that version tops out at 315 miles, but the dual-motor Long Range model splits the difference with no compromise: It has a 358-mile range, and can sprint to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. But, at publication time, Tesla was not accepting orders for it. All Model 3 tend to the firm side, and can be noisier than other electric cars and other luxury sedans.
The spacious interior with the fixed glass roof is defined by its minimalism as much as by its 15.0-inch touchscreen central command center. The menu structure is easy to navigate and the screen is fast and snappy, though it lacks Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connectivity.
Tesla equips the Model 3 with a wealth of standard safety features that complement its stellar crash-test ratings. An expensive option misleadingly called Full Self-Driving enables automated lane changes, automatic parking, and a summon feature, but nothing close to full self-driving.
How much does the 2023 Model 3 cost?
Price hikes dominated Tesla news in 2022, but early in 2023, Tesla slashed prices across the board. The 2023 Model 3 RWD costs $45,380, including a $1,390 destination fee in most states. Standard features include heated front and rear seats covered in synthetic leather, wireless phone charging for two phones at once, four USB-C ports, and a heated steering wheel.
The dual-motor Model 3 Long Range (when available) costs about $60,000, while the Performance model tops the chart at $55,380. Add on some semi-autonomous driving hardware or red paint and it hits $75,000.
Where is the Model 3 made?
The Model 3 is made in Fremont, California.
