The 2020 Tesla Model 3 is the Californian EV giant's first-generation electric midsize sedan and the brand's current cheapest model. With a starting MSRP or $35,000, it's no wonder it's proven to be a hit, despite some early build quality issues. This electric vehicle competes with traditional luxury sedans such as the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 and offers massive performance from its electric motors. With a range of between 220 and 322 miles, the Model 3 is a practical 4-door car for those living and working in and around big metropolitan areas. With up to 480 horsepower on tap in the all-wheel-drive Performance trim, the Model 3 can hit low three-second 0-60 mph times. It might be the baby of the Tesla range, but it's a strong performer with a lot going for it.
Tesla vehicles are continuously updated through over-the-air upgrades, with no year-on-year model changes, so determining what changes have been made for 2020 can be tricky. However, the formerly optional, then standard performance package available to the Performance model is now an option again, confusingly. The $35,000 Model 3 has also flirted with an on-again, off-again relationship with the market, with availability later on in the year subject to software limitations available at dealer level.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard |
Electric
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$35,000 |
| Standard Plus |
Electric
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
|
$37,990 |
| Long Range |
Electric
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$46,990 |
| Performance |
Electric
|
Single Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$54,990 |
A review of the 2020 Tesla Model 3 proves that electric vehicles are not only fun but practical as well. With a fantastic range and an ever-increasing network of charging stations, you can comfortably travel between large cities, and the novelty of that instant torque delivery never gets old. The Model 3 sedan also offers some cutting-edge tech, such as semi-autonomous driving, and Tesla is on the ball with its over-the-air updates, which means that you'll always be driving the latest version. We have to admit that some build quality issues still exist that you won't find on competing cars, but none of the mainstream rivals have yet produced a viable EV in this segment in the same way Tesla has. However, for the money, the sparse interior can seem like a rip-off to those used to the feature-rich interiors of traditional luxury sedans in the US. The near non-existent options list doesn't help either. If you can look past those issues, the 2020 Model 3 offers a driving experience unlike any other in its class. It is the future.
The choice here will purely depend on what you're looking to use the Model 3 for and what your budget is. With a $35,000 price for the 2020 Tesla Model 3 sedan in base Standard guise, it provides a fair bit of range for most city commuters. The Standard Plus and Long Range derivatives obviously provide more freedom, power, and AWD in the latter, and the Performance model is very quick, if that's what you're after. We'd go for the Standard Range Plus and add the Autopilot/Full Self-Driving features.
The most popular competitors of 2020 Tesla Model 3:
Check out some informative Tesla Model 3 video reviews below.
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Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
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Genesis
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Gordon Murray Automotive
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