2021 Tesla Model 3: Review, Trims, Specs, Price, New Interior Features, Exterior Design, and Specifications

$44,990 - $58,990

Price Range (MSRP)

2021 Tesla Model 3 For Sale

Cheapest Electric Cars

Best Compact Sedans

Tesla Sedans

Tesla Small Cars

Photos

2021 Tesla Model 3 Review: A Studiously Forged EV

by Aiden Eksteen

Proficient electric cars are becoming more accessible, especially in the USA, and while there are numerous automakers pushing the envelop now, there's no denying that Elon Musk and his company are the ones that got the ball rolling on the EV revolution. The 2021 Tesla Model 3 is perhaps the most emblematic offering for EV proficiency and accessibility from the American carmaker, balancing performance, practicality, and affordability. With horsepower outputs ranging between 266 hp and 430 hp and with between up to 353 miles of range, there's thrilling performance potential and genuine capability to be gained throughout the lineup. The Model 3 sedan's minimalistic design and basic set of features may be untenable for some, but even the Tesla's most premium and advanced contemporaries, like the Polestar, don't quite measure up to its proficiency.

Read in this review:

Exterior Design 7 /10
Performance 10 /10
Fuel Economy 10 /10
Interior & Cargo 8 /10
Infotainment & Features 10 /10
Reliability 8 /10
Safety 10 /10
Value For Money 9 /10

9.0

What is BuzzScore?

2021 Tesla Model 3 Changes: What’s The Difference vs The 2020 Model 3?

Tesla does pretty much everything its own way and that includes updating its cars, whereby upgrades happen suddenly and throughout the year rather than from one model year to the next. What we know for now is that the new 2021 Tesla Model 3 has seen an extended driving range. The base Standard Range Plus can now travel 263 miles on a single charge, up from 250 miles. The Long Range can go 353 miles and the Performance can now manage 315 miles. The Long Range and Performance are also slightly quicker than before, with even more brutal performance specs. In fact, the newest Performance model needs just 3.1 seconds to hit 60 mph.

Other updates to the first-gen model include new wheel designs, satin black exterior trim, a power trunk lid, more black satin trim on the inside, and a revised center console that makes way for two wireless charging pads. There are also some new finishes for controls on the steering wheel and those of the seat adjusters.

Pros and Cons

Vigorous and instantaneous acceleration
Industry-leading all-electric driving range
Spacious cabin and practical trunk space
Superlative official safety rating
Pricing is relatively attractive

Massive touchscreen interface is intrusive
Standard features are fairly scant
Optional features are also minimal
Questionable build quality and reliability

Best Deals on 2021 Tesla Model 3

2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Plus

$37,995

28,852 miles

2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Plus

$30,024

30,792 miles

Fair Deal

$3,200 below

2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Plus

$32,997

17,000 miles

Fair Deal

Average price

2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Plus

$36,900

16,158 miles

See All Model 3 For Sale

2021 Tesla Model 3 Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain	Price (MSRP)
Standard Plus	Electric	Single Speed Automatic	Rear-Wheel Drive	$44,990
Long Range	Electric	Single Speed Automatic	All-Wheel Drive	$50,990
Performance	Electric	Single Speed Automatic	All-Wheel Drive	$58,990

See All 2021 Tesla Model 3 Trims and Specs

2021 Model 3 Exterior

See All 2021 Tesla Model 3 Exterior Photos

Dimensions

Length 184.8 in
Wheelbase 113.2 in
Height 56.8 in
Max Width 72.8 in
Front Width 62.2 in
Rear Width 62.2 in
Curb Weight 3,554.0 lbs

Exterior Colors

Deep Blue Metallic +$1,000
Solid Black +$1,500
Red Multi-Coat +$2,000
Midnight Silver Metallic
Pearl White Multi-Coat

2021 Model 3 Performance

Engine and Transmission

Engine

Electric
Transmission

Single Speed Automatic
Drivetrains

AWD, RWD

2021 Model 3 Interior

See All 2021 Tesla Model 3 Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

Seating capacity

5-seater

Front Leg Room 42.7 in
Front Head Room 40.3 in
Rear Leg Room 35.2 in
Rear Head Room 37.7 in

2021 Model 3 Trunk and Cargo Space

Trunk Volume

15 ft³

2021 Model 3 Safety and Reliability

Warranty

Basic:
4 Years \ 50,000 Miles
Drivetrain:
8 Years \ 100,000 Miles
Corrosion:
12 Years \ Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance:
4 Years \ 50,000 Miles

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Overall Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Side Crash Rating
Rollover Rating

Verdict: Is the 2021 Tesla Model 3 A Good sedan?

If you're accustomed to the first-rate luxury and upscale demeanors of premium 4-door sedans such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Volvo S60, the Tesla Model 3 may not live up to your expectations. Tesla pursues a very futuristic aesthetic, which is exhibited in the simplistic design and overall minimalism. The Model 3 bears its own demeanor of opulence and exclusivity not just in its design, but also in its industry-leading EV performance, semi-autonomous driving capabilities, and novel "Easter egg" features. Owners of any Tesla are also benefit from Tesla's extensive super charger network, allowing for quick recharging while out and about. The Model 3 is fairly practical, too, with its rear seats that can fold down completely flat.

Furthermore, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 has undergone review by both the NHTSA and the IIHS and received top-notch ratings from both. It also offers plenty of value if you admire the futuristic and minimalist aesthetic. Look past the limited selection of comforts and conveniences and subgrade build quality, and the Model 3 is a find vehicle indeed.

What Tesla Model 3 Model Should I Buy?

Choosing which 2021 Model 3 sedan to go for will purely come down to what you desire in performance and what you require in range. With that said, however, even the entry-spec Standard Range Plus offers exhilarating acceleration with its 5.3-second 0 to 60 mph sprint time and genuinely impressive EV capability, along with a class-leading 263-mile range and 150/133/142 MPGe fuel economy equivalent returns. We do recommend opting in the Autopilot/Full Self-Driving suite, which, while not yet perfected, does help take some of the strain out of everyday driving. This will also benefit from Tesla's ongoing over-the-air system updates. The overall price of a 2021 Tesla Model 3 sedan with these inclusive features comes to just under $47,000, which is very good for such a high-performing EV.