2026 Tesla Model 3
There's a lot to like about the 2026 Tesla Model 3. It offers quick acceleration, a nice, roomy cabin, and ample cargo space. The touchscreen controls can be distracting, but with nearly 400 miles of range and as the most efficient EV we've tested on sale, it's one of our top recommendations.Read full review
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Pros
- Excellent range, performance and handling
- Comfortable seating and ample passenger and cargo space
- Access to Tesla's expansive Supercharger fast-charging stations
- Easy to drive and see out of
Cons
- Touchscreen interface controls nearly everything and is distracting to use
- No Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
What's new
- New, less expensive Standard version
- Last year's Long Range versions have been renamed Premium
- Traditional turn-signal stalk replaces previous steering wheel-mounted buttons
- Part of the first Model 3 generation introduced for 2017
Overview
The 2026 Model 3 is a great way to get behind the wheel of a Tesla. As of publication time, the Model 3 is offered in both Long Range and Performance variants and we've been impressed by the Model 3's potency and efficiency. The base rear-wheel-drive version gets an EPA-estimated 363 miles of range; range drops to 346 miles if you opt for the all-wheel-drive version. If accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds isn't quick enough in the standard AWD version, the Performance trim sacrifices a bit of range to achieve a blistering 3.0-second sprint.
Tesla Model 3 EV Insights
Trim:
Model 3 Standard
Range
EPA Estimated Range not available
EV Battery Warranty
No battery warranty information available
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
No rebates available in 20147
Cost to Drive
$53/mo
Model 3
vs
$231/mo
Car Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
Buying Tips for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 for October
Skip the new-car hunt here, because 2026 Model 3 supply is effectively gone and your best move is to treat this as a used-car search.
- Used 2026 Model 3s start around $38,700. That is the clearest real-world price signal right now since there are no new units to shop.
- There are about 79 used vehicles nationwide, so selection is limited too. If you want a specific config, move fast and be flexible on color or options.
- The Standard trim looks especially scarce with only about 7 used examples listed, while Performance is easier to find at about 18. That makes Performance shoppers a bit more likely to comparison-shop listings and negotiate.
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2026 Tesla Model 3 trim level differences
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric sedan that's available in four versions: Standard, Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, Premium All-Wheel Drive and Performance. Compare the 2026 Tesla Model 3 trim levels in-depth.
Which Model 3 trim does Edmunds recommend?
We think the new Model 3 Standard is the best value for the money. It has less range and fewer features than the Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, but we think the trade-off is worth it. Plus, it still has all of the key qualities that make the Model 3 one of our favorite EVs.
Competitors to consider
There aren't many electric sedans available, which is part of what makes the Model 3 so appealing. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is competitively priced and loaded with standard features. On the pricier side of the spectrum, you'll find the BMW i4 and i5, which are terrific albeit luxury-priced. Audi's new A6 Sportback E-tron is another luxury alternative.
Edmunds spotlight: Recently refreshed and better than ever
The Model 3 received its most significant refresh for the 2024 model year, and it's a game-changer. Tesla only massaged the exterior bodywork, but the biggest changes came on the inside. Tesla added ventilated front seats and a new 8-inch screen for rear passengers. More divisively, the turn signal stalk disappeared and was replaced by turn signal buttons on the steering wheel. For 2026, Tesla is making the Model 3 less expensive to start by way of the new Model 3 Standard. This entry-level version costs thousands of dollars less than the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive and is ultimately one of the least expensive EVs on the market. The only downside is that the Standard comes with fewer standard features and has less maximum range.
What it's like to live with
Our editors purchased two Model 3s for our One-Year Road Test program to better understand the Model 3 ownership experience. Read our Model 3 Long Range One-Year Road Test and Model 3 Performance One-Year Road Test coverage to learn more about our experiences with real-world range, comfort and more. Note that while our vehicles are from the 2024 model year, all of our observations apply to the 2026 Model 3 as well.
Tesla Model 3 Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(55%)
4(6%)
3(12%)
2(3%)
1(24%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
60 Years of Driving, and This Is My Favorite
Henry Domke, 02/18/2026
2026 Tesla Model 3 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
After owning cars for 60 years, this Tesla Model 3 is the one I enjoy driving the most.
What I like:
Compared with the German luxury sedans I previously drove, my 2024 Tesla Model 3 is more engaging, quicker, quieter, and, in my view, safer. Operating costs are dramatically lower. About 95% of my charging happens at home, so energy costs are only a fraction of what I used to spend on … gasoline.
Maintenance has been minimal. Aside from washer fluid and normal wear items like tires, there is essentially no routine service required.
I purchased Full Self-Driving (FSD) and now use it on nearly every trip, from rural gravel roads to city traffic. It handles most situations about as well as, and sometimes better than, I do. Experiencing it has been genuinely transformative and makes driving less tiring, especially in traffic.
Tesla’s software and companion iPhone app are the best I’ve used in any car. Frequent over-the-air updates have added features and improvements, so the vehicle continues to improve after purchase.
Road trips have been easy. With an EPA-rated range of 341 miles, range anxiety has not been an issue. Charging stops of 10 to 15 minutes every few hours feel like a welcome break rather than an inconvenience. We took a 3,000-mile Florida road trip this winter and never worried about charging access. FSD handled about 99% of the driving, so we arrived noticeably more relaxed.
My purchase decision was based on the product, not the CEO’s politics. I express my political views in other ways.
What I would change:
• Door handles could be easier to use
• 5G connectivity instead of LTE
• WiFi 7 for stronger and more reliable connections
• 800V architecture for faster charging
• Range above 400 miles would make long trips even easier
• Future steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems would be welcome
• Reversible charging, V2H or V2G, so the car could serve as home backup power
A good car gets much better
Lensman, 12/04/2024
2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
This is my second Tesla Model 3 Performance. I got my first, a 2020 model, in December 2019 and put 90,000 miles on it with negligible battery degradation and a like-new interior. My 2024 model, which I got two months ago, is my ninety-first car. I have owned just about every type of car that exists, I believe, and this is my favorite. I thought my first Model 3 was close to perfect, … but this one is orders of magnitude better. Much quieter, much better ride, and because of the adaptive suspension much better handling in sport mode. Race mode is better still but useful mainly for track work with multiple handling adjustments available.
The air-conditioned sport seats corrected the lack of lateral support in my first car's seats. The sound system is much better even though the 2020's was very good. One weakness of the earlier EV's was the heating system which was merely electrical strip heat. This reduced winter range by my measurements about 25%. I guess the massive heat loss of ICE engines is good for something. The new models have a heat pump which is much more efficient. I live in the south, so we've just had our first week of cold weather, but I don't detect any difference from summer with the A/C on.
One thing that Tesla reviewers seem to gripe about is the elimination of control stalks on the steering column. It did take me a few hours to get my muscle memory retrained to put on turn signals with a touch of my thumbs on the steering wheel but now I find it intuitive and like a fighter plane you have HOTAS(hands on throttle and stick) and never have to release and regrasp the wheel.
It's not perfection for all people. It's different. But to have a car that handles as well as my old Porsche Carrera S, accelerates 0-60 3 seconds quicker and 3 seconds faster in the quarter mile than my 1969 AMX 390, my 1967 Corvette, my 1968 SS396, and my 1972 Hemi Cuda, while riding better than Lexus LS 400, my Infiniti Q45, and my 2010 Mercedes S class, it comes close.
M3P Delivers
Brian, 04/25/2026
2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD)
I love this car. The performance far exceeds expectations. More customizable settings than anything I've driven. Get ride, great quality, outstanding performance.
Best car I’ve ever owned!
Lifting_Queen, 03/02/2026
2024 Tesla Model 3 Premium 4dr Sedan (electric DD)
Prior to owning a Tesla, I drove a Lexus ES 350 which I truly loved. I started with a 2023 RWD Model 3 and traded it up for the 2024, after learning it not only had ventilated seats, but also had improved sound deadening and suspension. This refreshed “Highland” version drives pretty darn close to my Lexus, but with better tech. I don’t know why people always bring up Apple CarPlay - the … Tesla has Apple Music as an app and I can access anything I normally would on my phone. There are two main reasons I went Tesla: 1) fast car that is fun to drive and 2) Best technology of any EV. The efficiency is an added bonus. If you opt for FSD (I did not), it’s a game-changer especially for road trips. I for one enjoy driving, so I never used it much in town but I did drive two hours away with FSD (trial) and never once had to touch the steering wheel or the accelerator or brake. TRULY amazing. Proud to be a Tesla owner!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Tesla Model 3, so we've included reviews for other years of the Model 3 since its last redesign.
Helpful shopping links
2026 Tesla Model 3 videos
Is This New 400+ Mile EV Worth the Money vs. the Model 3?
Looking for the ultimate premium EV? We pit the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV against our top-rated Tesla Model 3 to see if this 400+ mile luxury contender is truly worth the extra price.
Where the Tesla Model 3 ranks:
#1 in Electric cars
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FAQ
Is the Tesla Model 3 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 Model 3 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.4 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2026 Model 3 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 33 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Model 3 has 24.1 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Tesla Model 3. Learn more
What's new in the 2026 Tesla Model 3?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Tesla Model 3:
- New, less expensive Standard version
- Last year's Long Range versions have been renamed Premium
- Traditional turn-signal stalk replaces previous steering wheel-mounted buttons
- Part of the first Model 3 generation introduced for 2017
Is the Tesla Model 3 reliable?
To determine whether the Tesla Model 3 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Model 3. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Model 3's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2026 Tesla Model 3 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Tesla Model 3 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 Model 3 and gave it a 8.4 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2026 Model 3 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 33 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 Model 3 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2026 Tesla Model 3?
The least-expensive 2026 Tesla Model 3 is the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Standard 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 2/26 (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $36,990.
Other versions include:
- Standard 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 2/26 (electric DD) which starts at $36,990
- 4dr Sedan (electric DD) which starts at $36,990
- Premium 4dr Sedan (electric DD) which starts at $42,490
- Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD) which starts at $47,490
- Performance 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD) which starts at $54,990
What are the different models of Tesla Model 3?
If you're interested in the Tesla Model 3, the next question is, which Model 3 model is right for you? Model 3 variants include Standard 4dr Sedan w/Prod. End 2/26 (electric DD), 4dr Sedan (electric DD), Premium 4dr Sedan (electric DD), and Premium 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD). For a full list of Model 3 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more