2024 Tesla Model 3 review: familiar, faster, and finally more refined
I’ve lived with a lot of electric cars, and I’ll be honest: I wasn’t sure the 2024 Tesla Model 3 needed fixing. Then I drove the updated car, did a few school runs, a rainy motorway slog, and a Sunday B-road detour (don’t tell the kids). The short version? The 2024 Model 3 feels like the same smart idea, just polished in the places owners (and critics) kept poking. Quieter. Tidier. More efficient. Still very much a Tesla—with all the good and the occasional head-scratcher that implies.
New face, same mission: 2024 Tesla Model 3 exterior and aero
Stand the revised Model 3 next to its predecessor and you’ll spot the sleeker nose first. The headlights are slimmer, the lower bumper is cleaner, and the bonnet is subtly reshaped to feed the air curtain. It’s not a flashy makeover—more “tailored suit” than “neon trainers”—but it works. Out back, the C-shaped rear light clusters are now integrated into the bootlid, tightening up the look.
On the move, the updates are more than skin-deep. With a drag coefficient of 0.219, it’s slipperier than ever, which you hear (or don’t) on the motorway. At 70 mph I could pick out a podcast whisper, and yes, the cabin is now quiet enough to hear your kids arguing about who touched whose crisps. Wind noise is lower, road roar is better hushed, and the car feels a touch more mature overall.
Performance and range: 2024 Tesla Model 3 in the real world
The numbers are solid and, importantly, believable. The rear-wheel-drive version does 0–62 mph in 6.1 seconds; the Long Range (dual motor) needs just 4.4 seconds. Both share core powertrains with the pre-facelift car, but the refinement bump makes the speed feel more… grown up. Less drama, more progress.
Range is where the 2024 car meaningfully moves the game on. The official figures (WLTP) are up to 344 miles for the standard RWD and up to 421 miles for the Long Range. In my mixed week—motorway, urban, a bit of countryside—I saw consumption that would project around 280–310 miles in the RWD and 330–380 in the Long Range, depending on temperature and your right foot. That’s proper road-trip territory, especially with the Supercharger network in your back pocket.
Ride and handling: calmer, cleaner, less kraken
Tesla says more than half the components have been refreshed, and it feels it. There’s extra polish in the way the Model 3 smothers sharp edges. My usual pothole-riddled test loop didn’t provoke the thumps I remember from earlier cars. Body control is tidy, the steering is precise, and the whole thing still has that light-on-its-feet character that makes you take the long way home.
It’s not soft—don’t expect a magic carpet—but the brittleness is dialed back. The chassis now sits in that sweet spot where daily comfort coexists with weekend curiosity.
Cabin and tech: 2024 Tesla Model 3 interior finally feels premium
Slide in and the vibe is familiar: minimalist, screen-led, uncluttered. The 15.4-inch central touchscreen now has a slimmer surround, the materials feel more upmarket (real aluminum on the redesigned console), and there’s ambient lighting to keep late-night drives feeling a bit lounge-y. You also get wireless phone chargers and USB-C ports sprinkled sensibly around the cabin. Rear passengers haven’t been forgotten either—there’s an 8.0-inch display for climate tweaks and entertainment.
The headline interior change is controversial: stalks are gone. Indicators and wipers are now on steering-wheel buttons, with gear selection on the touchscreen (plus a small physical backup). I adapted after a day, but a few owners mentioned to me they needed a week before it felt second nature. Another quirk that remains: no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If that’s a deal-breaker, you’ve been warned.
- 15.4-inch central display with snappier UI
- 8.0-inch rear screen for climate and media
- Improved sound insulation and acoustic glass
- Refined suspension tune for better ride comfort
- Drag coefficient: 0.219
- WLTP range: up to 344 miles (RWD), up to 421 miles (Long Range)
- 0–62 mph: 6.1s (RWD), 4.4s (Long Range)
Charging and efficiency: 2024 Tesla Model 3 day-to-day costs
On the road, the Tesla Supercharger network remains the ace in the deck. The Long Range can pull up to 250 kW at compatible chargers; the RWD typically peaks lower, but both will do a 10–80% top-up in roughly 25–30 minutes if you precondition the battery. At home, a 7 kW wallbox will replenish an empty battery overnight without drama.
The efficiency is where it gets quietly impressive. Even on a cold morning, I saw the graph hover around figures that would embarrass a few rivals. It’s that blend of aero, software and thermal management that keeps the numbers friendly to your wallet.
2024 Tesla Model 3 vs the competition
How does the updated Model 3 stack up against other premium EV sedans? Here’s the quick take (manufacturer-claimed WLTP figures where applicable):
| Model | Drivetrain | Range (WLTP) | 0–62 mph | Max DC charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Tesla Model 3 RWD | RWD | Up to 344 miles | 6.1 s | ~170–190 kW |
| 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range | AWD | Up to 421 miles | 4.4 s | Up to 250 kW |
| BMW i4 eDrive40 | RWD | Up to ~365 miles | ~5.7 s | Up to 205 kW |
| Polestar 2 Long Range | RWD/AWD | Up to ~406 miles | ~5.9–4.5 s | Up to 205 kW |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 Long Range | RWD/AWD | Up to ~382 miles | ~7.4–5.1 s | Up to 233 kW |
There are cars that ride softer (Ioniq 6), feel more traditional inside (BMW i4), or give you native CarPlay (most of them), but the Tesla nails the hard stuff: efficiency, performance-per-pound, and long-distance convenience.
Dress it right: accessories for your 2024 Tesla Model 3
Small confession: I’m a floor-mat nerd. The right set protects the cabin and lifts the vibe every time you open the door. If you want something that matches the cleaner, quieter energy of the refreshed car, AutoWin has been on my shortlist for a while. Their mats are tailored for the Model 3, look the part, and wipe clean after a muddy hike.
These are the ones that caught my eye:
Price, trims and the verdict on the 2024 Tesla Model 3
Pricing varies by market and spec, and it’s always shifting in Tesla-land, but the pattern remains: the Model 3 often undercuts rivals with similar performance and range. Whether you spring for the rear-drive sweet spot or the AWD Long Range, the 2024 updates make it feel more like a premium sedan and less like a clever tech demo.
Is it perfect? No. The stalk-less controls won’t suit everyone, the lack of CarPlay will irritate some, and a few touch-only operations still feel like a step too far. But when you zoom out to the whole experience—efficiency, refinement, charging network, and that effortless way it eats miles—the 2024 Tesla Model 3 is a better everyday EV than ever. If you’ve been waiting for the polished one, this is it.
FAQ: 2024 Tesla Model 3
What’s new on the 2024 Tesla Model 3?
Reworked front and rear design, quieter cabin with extra sound insulation, refined suspension tuning, a 15.4-inch slimmer-bezel screen, an 8-inch rear display, upgraded materials, and the removal of steering-column stalks in favor of wheel-mounted buttons.
How far can the 2024 Tesla Model 3 go on a charge?
Official WLTP figures are up to 344 miles (RWD) and up to 421 miles (Long Range). Real-world range varies with temperature, speed and terrain; expect less in winter, more in warm, steady conditions.
How quick is it?
0–62 mph in 6.1 seconds for the RWD, 4.4 seconds for the Long Range. Instant torque still makes the school run feel like a mini-launch.
How fast does it charge?
At compatible DC fast chargers, expect up to 250 kW peaks on the Long Range, typically yielding a 10–80% charge in around 25–30 minutes with a preconditioned battery. Home 7 kW charging will comfortably refill overnight.
Does it have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?
No—like other Tesla models, the Model 3 relies on its native infotainment and streaming apps. It’s slick, but if you’re glued to CarPlay, note the omission.
