The Tesla Model 3 is a mid-size premium saloon and the third model in the Tesla family. Like all Tesla models, it is only available with an electric motor supplied by a battery pack.
The Model 3 was first unveiled in 2016, but enormous American demand combined with numerous production problems meant that it only arrived in the UK in Spring 2019.
The Tesla Model 3 has received unanimously positive reviews from the UK motoring media, with most scores indicating very good or outstanding results. It doesn’t have any directly comparable rivals, as there are no other compact executive saloons available as fully-electric models. Some, like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class, have plug-in hybrid options, while other similarly-priced electric cars include the Kia e-Niro.
The Model 3 has received particular praise for its performance, driving dynamics and minimalist style. Criticisms mainly relate to the questionable ergonomics of some of the functionality required by having everything controlled by a central screen, and the usual electric car concerns over range and charging time.
Key specifications
Body style: Mid-sized saloon
Powertrain: electric motor and batteries
Price: From £36,490* on-road
Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: –
Replacement due: TBA
* price includes £3,500 government plug-in car grant
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MEDIA REVIEWS
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media

The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Standard Range Plus
“It might not appeal on an emotional level, but the Tesla Model 3 manages to be fast yet serene, packed full of appealing tech, and practical to boot. With low running costs thrown into the mix, there’s not much going against it.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: 2021 update
Score: 10 / 10
“Minor cosmetic tweaks have given the Tesla Model 3 a sportier look outside and a more premium feel inside, while the continual software upgrades keep edging Tesla further ahead of its rivals on the tech front.”
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Model reviewed: Standard Range Plus 2020
Score: 9 / 10
“The updated Standard Range Plus version of Tesla’s Model 3 is the most accessible in the line-up but still shows that star quality.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 offers impressive performance, great range and a unique take on car design. It’s a relatively expensive EV, but certainly one of the best.”
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Model reviewed: Standard Range Plus
Score: 9 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 is more affordable than ever in Standard Range Plus guise, which makes it even more appealing.”
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Model reviewed: Long Range AWD
Score: 10 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 is in a class of one at the moment, but that shouldn’t detract from Tesla’s achievement with its first ‘more affordable’ model. Yes, it’s still pricey, but it’s a car that drives brilliantly, looks great, seems to be built just as well as other cars at the price and is full of the most advanced tech. That all adds up to make it just about the coolest car you can buy right now.”
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Score: 9 / 10
“This is the Tesla to buy, full of EV pep and at a more affordable price. It competes well with other sports saloons around the same price point and looks future-proofed when it comes to self-driving tech.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The Standard Range Plus is WLTP-certified for 254 miles of claimed range and the Long Range steps that up to 348 miles. The Performance, meanwhile, has a claimed range of 329 miles but will also hit 60mph from a standstill in just 3.2sec. That’s very nearly supercar-baiting levels of accelerative performance.”
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Model reviewed: Standard Range Plus
Score: 8 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 is difficult to look past at this price-point. Kia’s excellent e-Niro is perhaps a more rational choice, being similarly spacious and with 282 miles of range, but the Tesla is out of sight in terms of performance and general fizz, before you consider the Supercharger network.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 is not the perfect car, but what is? After two days in it, I rather liked it. And that’s my gig: to separate the metal from the noise.”
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Model reviewed: Model 3 Performance
Score: 8 / 10
“The Model 3 Performance easily answers that question about suiting British drivers and roads – it’s made for them.”
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Car
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 feels like a breakthrough car.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8.8 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 brings world-beating performance, range and tech to the mainstream executive class.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 is Tesla’s cheapest electric car, but in many ways the best. That said, it’s still more expensive than many petrol and diesel alternatives.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Standard Range Plus
Score: 8.1 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 takes EVs into new ground in terms of a compact exec saloon with a competitive price and serious range. It’s not perfect, but does plenty very well.”
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Daily Mirror
Score: 10 / 10
“Car of the future not only makes sense but is a brilliant drive.”
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Model reviewed: Long Range
Score: 10 / 10
“This is the best Tesla yet. Best made, too. And one of the most entertaining cars I’ve driven this year.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Range review
“The Tesla Model 3 is finally on the road, but away from the hype we debunk what is, electric or not, one of the most fascinating cars in decades.”
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Model reviewed: Performance
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s fight or flight time for Tesla, as its new Model 3 Performance promises to quash the M3 at its own game.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: Long Range
Score: 10 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 Long Range is an excellent car. It has zero tailpipe emissions yet it also has amazing performance. It’s rewarding to drive but it’s also practical (if you can live with a boot rather than a hatchback). Compared to the entry-level Model 3 Standard Range Plus, it’s around £10,000 more expensive, but you get all-wheel drive and almost an extra 100 miles of range.”
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Model reviewed: Standard Range Plus
Score: 9 / 10
“The long-awaited Tesla Model 3 is an impressive car. Even in Standard Range Plus form, the performance is very good, the handling is rewarding, and the steering is sharp and well weighted. There’s also the very minimalistic interior, with the large touchscreen featuring virtually all controls – which some people might like, others may not.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 9 / 10
“Lowered prices raise Tesla Model 3’s appeal”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: (range review)
“The Model 3 is easily my favourite Tesla. I’ll go further, it’s probably my favourite electric car, full stop. If the Yanks can ship them here quick enough and keep chipping away at the price, it’s game on.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Long-range
Score: 8 / 10
“There’s no official measure on the Tesla Model 3’s range, but we’ve been achieving more than 200 miles on a single charge.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“Undeniably special to drive and sit inside, the Tesla Model 3’s statistics make impressive reading, although the ‘affordability’ of this car is highly debatable and it simply isn’t built as well as it should be.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Standard Range Plus
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s spacious, efficient, comfortable, reasonably-priced and well-equipped.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“Everything Tesla has done up to this point has built towards the Model 3… and it’s been worth it.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 is great to drive, packed full of tech, is fast and even reasonably practical. Yes, it is firmer than some of its rivals, but it’s never uncomfortable even on beaten-up UK roads.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.8 / 10
“The Tesla Model 3 has plenty going for it: it’s rapid, refined and practical, and it suffers very few of the issues that affect other electric cars, particularly in terms of usable range. However, its lack of connectivity, poor build quality and unreliable Autopilot system mean there’s plenty of room for improvement.”
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SAFETY RATING
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2019
Eco ratings
Independent emissions and efficiency ratings from Green NCAP
The Tesla Model 3 has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP. Check back soon.
Security Rating
Independent vehicle theft and security ratings from Thatcham Research
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Tesla Model 3 has received
2021
- What Car? Awards – Best Large Electric Car
2020
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Company Car
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Large Electric Car
- Auto Express Awards – Best Compact Executive Car + Best Premium Electric Car
- What Car? Awards – Best Large Electric Car + Best Executive Car over £40K
- Auto Trader Awards – New Car of the Year + Best Electric Car
- What Car? Electric Car Awards – Best Electric Executive Car
2019
- Auto Express Awards – Car of the Year + Best Premium Electric Car
- News UK Motor Awards – Green Car of the Year
- Parkers Awards – Car of the Year + Best Electric Car + Best Company Car + Safety Award
- carwow Awards – Game-changer Award
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