Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Tesla Model 3 review – performance and 0-60 time

There's no new Model 3 Performance yet, but the Long Range still offers enormous pace

Evo rating

Teslas have become synonymous with drag races on YouTube, and for good reason. Even in the absence of a flagship Performance variant, the new Model 3 is impressively quick.

The dual motor system in the Long Range finds immense traction and launches the car from 0-60mph in just 4.2sec – quicker than a Volkswagen Golf R and much faster than most similarly priced rivals. BMW's i4 eDrive35, for instance, completes the 62mph sprint in 6sec. The throttle calibration is sharp and adds to the sense of urgency, although some might prefer a more progressive build up of acceleration. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

One major factor in the Model 3's performance is its lack of weight compared to other electric saloons. The Long Range tips the scales at 1828kg, and while that might sound hefty for a compact executive car, it's barely more than a BMW M340i xDrive. The single-motor Hyundai Ioniq 6 is nearly 100kg heavier. 

We haven't driven the new single motor Model 3 yet, but it's slightly lighter (1765kg) again and still packs a decent punch. With a 5.8sec 0-60mph time, it's firmly in the realm of hot hatches when it comes to pure speed. 

The outgoing Model 3 Performance was a true giant killer in performance terms, hitting 60mph in just 3.1sec – expect its replacement to be just as fast, if not more so...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024