Want more details? These are all the changes between the new and old Model 3. What We Think The Model 3 has been one of our top-ranked compact luxury sedans for some time thanks to its stellar performance and range, and Tesla only improves the formula for 2024. As we note in our First Drive review, the new sedan is much quieter than before, exhibiting less road, wind, and tire noise. "You can have a normal conversation without raising your voice to be heard—a night-and-day difference," we wrote. Ride quality has improved but remains firm. We praised the updated 3 for exhibiting less head toss and gut jiggle than before. For more precise steering feel, opt for the rear-drive model, as the Dual Motor variant can feel a little detached. Although still minimalist, the cabin pops more than it used to with new textured cloth and an ambient lighting strip on the dashboard. Tesla also updated the cushions to make the rear seats more comfortable. Consumers who prefer physical buttons and knobs will be once again disappointed, though, as controls remain centralized in a single large screen. Another minor issue: The tint on the ceiling glass isn't dark enough to justify Tesla not offering standard sunroof shades. We've complained about build quality issues in the past, but it looks like Tesla is making progress in this area with tighter panel gaps. More consistent panel gaps will not only improve the public's perception of build quality but also enhance the car's aerodynamics. But there's still one big issue that carries over from the previous Model 3, and that's Full Self-Driving Beta. In our First Drive, we wrote, "From attempting to turn left at a T-junction where there was not only no road but a curb there, to making unwanted turns onto other streets when no destination was set, to changing its predicted course to follow the path of a pedestrian crossing in front of the car, we found it not at all ready for public consumption." Despite some flaws remaining from the pre-refresh model, the Tesla Model 3 Highland is a standout in its segment. Tesla took the necessary steps to keep it fresh among the barrage of new EV competitors. Range Not everything is new this year. Tesla didn't change the batteries or motors, which is fine by us given the Model 3 already offers excellent performance. Range remains competitive this year, too. Tesla says the Long Range RWD model achieves 363 miles on a charge, the Long Range AWD scores 341 miles, and the standard range model gets 272 miles. The most powerful Model 3 can travel 303 miles. These numbers compare favorably to the Hyundai Ioniq 6, which tops out at 261 miles on the long range variant. Also keep in mind those official numbers may not be what you experience in the real world. We performed our own range test and achieved 250 miles from the Long Range AWD variant. With a Supercharger, we found it possible to recoup 118 miles of range in 15 minutes, or 184 miles in 30 minutes. In the standard range model, we were able to travel just 211 miles on a charge. Recharging the battery from 5 to 80 percent took a reasonable 33 minutes. Horsepower and 0-60 MPH Times Tesla has greatly improved the Model 3, so much so that it almost feels like a new-generation model instead of a heavy refresh. Although it's nicer to drive than before, some performance metrics haven't changed much. The Model 3 Long Range AWD Highland zipped from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds, matching an older Model 3 Dual Motor Long Range we tested. In the quarter mile, the Highland recorded a time of 12.3 seconds at 114.4 mph, beating that previous Model 3 by 0.2 second. Tesla achieves these numbers on the Highland by way of front and rear motors developing a total of 394 hp and 377 lb-ft of torque. The Long Range RWD variant is expected to be slower to 60 mph than its AWD counterpart. Meanwhile, the Standard Range model is actually slightly slower than comparable previous models, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and on through the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at 102.0 mph. That being said, this variant is still sporty and fun to drive. This model makes 257 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque from a single rear-mounted motor. It's Here: The New Tesla Model 3 Performance We have high expectations for the new Model 3 Performance, given the older one was one of the best electric sport sedans on the market. This time around, Tesla is estimating 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds, which would make it just a smidge quicker than the previous Model 3 Performance we tested. Boasting more than 500 horsepower, this is the most potent Model 3 to date. Top speed? A healthy 163 mph. This range-topper comes with 20-inch forged wheels, adaptive suspension, and Track Mode V3 for athletic powertrain and suspension calibration. In terms of design, the Model 3 Performance boasts unique front and rear fascias, rear diffuser, and carbon fiber spoiler, while the cabin gets sport seats. Safety The refreshed Model 3 will feature Tesla's admittedly impressive (but misleadingly named) Autopilot driver assist suite. As an adaptive cruise control system, it maintains its distance from other cars well. The Autosteer function keeps the car centered in its proper lane, just as long as none of the cameras are obscured by morning dew. For an extra $6,000, you can opt for Enhanced Autopilot, and it's more of a mixed bag. Automatic lane changes are helpful, as is Navigate on Autopilot, but the Summon parking feature needs some work. As for Tesla Full Self-Driving Beta, we've found this feature completely untrustworthy, not worth the $12,000 cost. The 2024 Tesla Model 3 earned solid crash test safety scores. It scored a five-star safety rating from NHTSA, including five stars in every category. In IIHS testing, the Model 3 snagged Good scores in all three crash categories in which it was tested, plus a Good rating for headlights. However, Tesla has been implicated in having an outsized amount of fatal crashes. Technology As is the case in the previous Model 3, most functions are controlled through a large screen oriented horizontally and mounted in the center of the dashboard. There's no instrument cluster or head-up display, so checking your speed still requires taking your eyes off the road for longer than we'd like. Look closer, and you'll notice the steering wheel has changed. Tesla eliminated the turn signal stalk in favor of touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel (a cost-cutting feature as these are easier to engineer than physical buttons and levers). These new turn signals take some time getting used to, but they (usually) cancel themselves automatically. The shifter stalk is also gone, as the Model 3 now has predictive shifting that tries to infer which gear is needed. The driver can also select Drive or Reverse through the large central touchscreen or a ceiling-mounted shifter. In the rear, there's now an 8.0-inch touchscreen for climate and entertainment functions. Passengers can stream Disney+, Netflix, YouTube, and other media, with audio playing either through the car's speakers or through two paired wireless headphones. Eventually, Tesla will introduce an over-the-air update that allows gaming from this screen. Sirius XM is now included as part of the 2024 Tesla Holiday Update. Prices and On-Sale Date The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland went on sale in early 2024. Prices start at around $44,00 for the Long Range RWD version and climb to over $49,000 for the Long Range AWD. The Tesla Model 3 Performance costs around $57,000. Other Electric Cars: