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Drawing of the Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3

The first EV past 1 million global sales, in June 2021.1

Researched October 22, 2026 from 25 sources

Also called

  • BlueStarThe Model 3's codename in Tesla's original 2007 business plan.1
  • HighlandDevelopment codename for the refresh announced on September 1, 2023.1
  • StealthThe base Performance resembled an ordinary Model 3, retaining standard 18-inch Aero wheels.2
  • SleeperAnother name for the base Performance; its 18-inch-wheel specification was also called P3D-, versus P3D+ with 20-inch wheels and larger brakes.2

At a glance

0300600
221–510 hpPower
0510
2.8–5.8 s0–60 mph
0150300
201–264 km/hTop speed
0400800
385–751 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,611–1,929 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1678910

Engine
Rear permanent-magnet motor; optional front induction motor1
Layout
Rear-motor RWD or front-and-rear-motor AWD17
Gearbox
Single-speed fixed-ratio drive (9:1)1
Built at
Fremont Factory, United States; Gigafactory Shanghai, China1

The story

Franz von Holzhausen's brief called for a $35,000 car 10–20% smaller than the Model S, taking EVs mainstream. A conventional trunk preserved the fastback profile without a liftgate.34

2016: 325,000 reservations in one week20162017: July production, late-year retail deliveries20172018: 5,000 cars a week after production hell20182019: The $35,000 Standard Range arrives20192020: Track Mode V2 and a $5,500 Track Package20202021: First EV past 1 million global sales20212023: Highland lowers drag to Cd 0.21920232024: Performance: 510 hp, 2.8s to 60 mph2024 Tesla Model 3: 2017–presentTesla Model 3 2015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027
GenerationsMilestones1
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2017–presentTesla Model 3
2016325,000 reservations in one week
2017July production, late-year retail deliveries
20185,000 cars a week after production hell
2019The $35,000 Standard Range arrives
2020Track Mode V2 and a $5,500 Track Package
2021First EV past 1 million global sales
2023Highland lowers drag to Cd 0.219
2024Performance: 510 hp, 2.8s to 60 mph
  1. 2016

    325,000 reservations in one week

    Reservations open March 31 with a refundable $1,000 deposit; the Model 3 draws 325,000 within a week of its unveiling.1

  2. 2017

    July production, late-year retail deliveries

    Production starts in July. Employees get the earliest cars; regular customers begin receiving theirs in the closing weeks of 2017.14

  3. 2018

    5,000 cars a week after production hell

    Elon Musk announces on July 1 that Tesla has reached 5,000 cars in a week, after a ramp plagued by production bottlenecks.1

  4. 2019

    The $35,000 Standard Range arrives

    Tesla adds the $35,000 Standard Range on February 28, then removes online ordering on April 12, leaving phone and store orders.1

  5. 2020

    Track Mode V2 and a $5,500 Track Package

    Track Mode V2 promises adjustable balance, traction control and regen; the kit for Performance Upgrade cars adds 20-inch Zero-G wheels and Cup 2 tires.5

  6. 2021

    First EV past 1 million global sales

    Global Model 3 sales clear 1 million in June, making it the first electric car to cross that threshold.1

  7. 2023

    Highland lowers drag to Cd 0.219

    Announced September 1, the refresh cuts Cd from 0.225 to 0.219 and adds ventilated front seats, a rear touchscreen and a stalkless steering wheel.1

  8. 2024

    Performance: 510 hp, 2.8s to 60 mph

    Adaptive dampers join 751 Nm and 1,835 kg; testing yields 2.8 seconds to 60 mph and an 11.0-second quarter-mile, with 1-foot rollout omitted.6

Every generation

  • Tesla Model S
    Tesla Model S
  • Tesla Model 3
    Tesla Model 32017–present

Power over the years

From 271 hp to 510 hp in 7 years.

0200400600 201620182020202220242026 hp 2017 · 271 hp · Long Range RWD, 75 kWh, 310-mi EPA2018 · 258 hp · Mid Range RWD, 62 kWh2018 · 346 hp · Dual Motor Long Range, 75 kWh2018 · 450 hp · Performance, 75 kWh2023 · 271 hp · RWD, 57.5 kWh, 272-mi range2023 · 455 hp · Performance2024 · 286 hp · LR RWD: 79.7 kWh, 363-mi EPA2024 · 510 hp · Performance: 79.7 kWh, 250 kW DC2026 · 275 hp · RWD Basic 510 hp Performance: 79.7 kWh, 250 kW DC 271 hp Long Range RWD, 75 kWh, 310-mi EPA
4678911121314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2017271Long Range RWD, 75 kWh, 310-mi EPA
2018258Mid Range RWD, 62 kWh
2018346Dual Motor Long Range, 75 kWh
2018450Performance, 75 kWh
2023271RWD, 57.5 kWh, 272-mi range
2023455Performance
2024286LR RWD: 79.7 kWh, 363-mi EPA
2024510Performance: 79.7 kWh, 250 kW DC
2026275RWD Basic

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Standard Range

    2019

  • Standard Range Plus

    Standard

    Standard Range Plus

    2019–2021

  • Standard

    RWD Basic

    2026

    275 hp

  • Standard

    Long Range RWD (launch)

    2017

    271 hp
  • Long Range RWD (Highland)

    Standard

    Long Range RWD (Highland)

    2024

    286 hp
  • Premium Long Range RWD

    Standard

    Premium Long Range RWD

    315 hp

  • Standard

    Mid Range RWD

    2018–2019

    258 hp
  • Performance (2024 refresh)

    Performance

    Performance (2024 refresh)

    2024

    510 hp

  • Performance

    Performance with Track Package

    2020

  • Performance

    Stealth / Sleeper Performance (P3D-)

    2018–2019

How to spot one

Look for

  • A smooth nose has no traditional grille.9
  • Flush door handles sit flat against the body.9
  • The fastback roof flows into a normal trunklid.3
  • The huge rear window reaches the roof's center beam.7

Year by year

  1. Late 2020 / 2021

    Chrome door handles, window surrounds, mirror trim and camera covers turned black.110

  2. 2023 / 2024

    Highland brought slit-like headlights and cleaner front and rear fascias.18

  3. 2023 / 2024

    Reworked taillights lost the old vertical split between the trunk and body.1

  4. 2023 / 2024

    An 8-inch rear screen, ambient lighting and a stalkless steering wheel marked the Highland cabin.1

  5. 2026

    The turn-signal stalk returned on U.S. and global models.1

Don’t confuse it with

  • Tesla Model S

    The Model 3 is 20% smaller, with a normal trunklid and a different, friendlier headlight shape.134

  • Photo of a Tesla Model 3
    Model 3
    Photo of a Tesla Model Y
    Tesla Model Y

    Tesla Model Y

    Look for the Model 3's four-door sedan body; the Model Y is a crossover SUV.1

  • Photo of a Tesla Model 3
    Model 3
    Photo of a Polestar 2
    Polestar 2

    Polestar 2

    The Polestar 2 has a hatchback tailgate; the Model 3 has a separate trunklid beneath its fastback roof.316

Against its rivals

  • BMW 330i (2019)

    Model 3 vs BMW 330i (2019)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Model 34 s
    BMW 330i (2019)5.4 s
    12
  • Genesis G70 2.0T (2019)

    Model 3 vs Genesis G70 2.0T (2019)

    Price as tested lower is better

    Model 3$54,100
    Genesis G70 2.0T (2019)$44,895
    12

  • Model 3 vs Polestar 2

    Base price lower is better

    Model 337,990 £
    Polestar 245,210 £
    7

  • Model 3 vs BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport

    Base price lower is better

    Model 344,990 £
    BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport59,465 £
    7

Prices

Value today $19.2K–$20.6K9

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K 2016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $19,200–$20,600 2017 · $45,000 · US base, Long Range RWD2018 · $47,200 · US base, Mid Range2018 · $65,200 · US base, Performance2019 · $35,000 · US base, Standard Range2019 · $49,690 · US base, Long Range AWD2023 · $41,890 · US RWD, original sticker2024 · $44,130 · US base, Long Range RWD2024 · $54,630 · US Performance base, April2024 · $56,630 · US Performance base, October 2017 · $45,000 · US Long Range RWD base, 2017 model year 2025 · $20,300 · 2023 RWD, 35,500 miles, Cars & Bids $20.3K Cars & Bids, 2025
26891113141523
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2017Launch price$45,000US Long Range RWD base, 2017 model year
2017Price when new$45,000US base, Long Range RWD
2018Price when new$47,200US base, Mid Range
2018Price when new$65,200US base, Performance
2019Price when new$35,000US base, Standard Range
2019Price when new$49,690US base, Long Range AWD
2023Price when new$41,890US RWD, original sticker
2024Price when new$44,130US base, Long Range RWD
2024Price when new$54,630US Performance base, April
2024Price when new$56,630US Performance base, October
2025Auction sale$20,3002023 RWD, 35,500 miles, Cars & Bids
2026Value today$19,200–$20,600

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “1:35.79 at Laguna Seca”
    • “Fuller's 11:02.802 Pikes Peak record”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 2 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 25 sources
  1. Tesla Model 3 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. What Is A Sleeper Or Stealth Tesla Model 3 Performance? - CleanTechnica cleantechnica.com
  3. The Man Behind the Model 3: Franz von Holzhausen motortrend.com
  4. Tesla Model 3 Test Drive, Review - First Drive With the New Tesla Model 3 roadandtrack.com
  5. Tesla officially releases a new Track Mode V2 and Track Package with new 20” Performance wheels - Drive Tesla driveteslacanada.ca
  6. 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance Tested: Blast Off caranddriver.com
  7. Tesla Model 3 review – a sub-£40k alternative to the BMW i4 | evo evo.co.uk
  8. Tested: 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD Is Seriously Improved caranddriver.com
  9. 2018 Tesla Model 3 Price, Value, Depreciation & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  10. Used Tesla Model 3 buying guide | Carwow carwow.co.uk
  11. Exclusive: Tesla Model 3 Long Range First Test motortrend.com
  12. Tesla Model 3 vs. BMW 330i vs. Genesis G70 Compact Luxury Sedan Comparison motortrend.com
  13. Depreciation Crushed This Tesla So Hard After Just 18 Months, It's Almost Laughable | Carscoops carscoops.com
  14. 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance Boasts 510 HP caranddriver.com
  15. Used Tesla Model 3 (Mk1, 2019-date) review: the first Tesla for the masses | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  16. Used Tesla Model 3 Review and Buyers Guide | Electrifying electrifying.com
  17. Tesla Delivers First Chinese-Made Model 3 to Customers voanews.com
  18. Tesla to Storm Pikes Peak International Hill Climb - Pikes Peak International Hill Climb ppihc.org
  19. Modified Tesla Model 3 Trashes Model S Plaid's Laguna Seca Lap Record thedrive.com
  20. The Pikes Peak Tesla Model 3 Crash in Randy Pobst's Own Words motortrend.com
  21. 2020 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race Wrap Up - Pikes Peak International Hill Climb ppihc.org
  22. The Gran Turismo 7 Spec II Update: Seven New Cars, a New Track, and a Large Assortment of New Features! - NEWS - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  23. 2019 Tesla Model 3 Long-Term Road Test: 40,000-Mile Wrap-Up caranddriver.com
  24. 2019 Tesla Model 3 Price, Value, Depreciation & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  25. 2024 Tesla Model 3 Price, Cost-to-Own, Reviews & More | Kelley Blue Book kbb.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • cleantechnica.com
  • motortrend.com
  • roadandtrack.com
  • driveteslacanada.ca
  • caranddriver.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • kbb.com
  • carwow.co.uk
  • carscoops.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • electrifying.com
  • voanews.com
  • ppihc.org

Photo credits

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