2026 Tesla Model 3

Name: 2026 Tesla Model 3
Brand: Tesla

Release Date: Fall/Late 2025

Estimated Price: Starting around $45,000

There's a lot to like about the 2026 Tesla Model 3. It has plenty of range, quick acceleration, a nice cabin, and lots of cargo space for a sedan. The Model 3's touchscreen-based controls can be distracting to use while driving, but overall we think the Model 3 is a great choice for an EV.Read full review

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2026 Tesla Model 3 Review

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

Written by automotive expert Jared Gall

10/13/2025

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.

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.

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.

What’s it 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.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Jonathan Elfalan

Excellent

7.9

out of 10

We drove the Tesla Model 3 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

9.1/10

How does the Tesla Model 3 drive? The Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive we tested (now named the Premium All-Wheel Drive for 2026) is surprisingly sporty and engaging to drive. At the Edmunds test track, our test car accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds. That's really moving, especially for a car that's not necessarily designed for performance. It's backed up by athletic and balanced handling around corners. Full panic-stop braking is stable, although the 60-0 mph stopping distance was a bit long.

In daily use, the Model 3 is easy to drive and rides smoothly over most road surfaces. It steers quickly, zips away from stoplights, and offers strong regenerative and one-pedal braking when you lift off the accelerator pedal.

Outward visibility is excellent. Tesla's Autopilot system, which bundles a variety of driver assist features, generally works well, though we have found that it can be overreactive when braking or too aggressive when accelerating. Its ability to autosteer on city streets and stop for traffic control lights and signs (if you have the Full Self-Driving option) is a neat trick, but we don't think it's trustworthy or reliable enough to fully allow you to relax while driving.

Comfort

7.9/10

How comfortable is the Tesla Model 3? The Model 3's front seats have a pleasing combination of cushioning and firmness, with decent-size bolsters. The rear seats are pretty comfortable, though they're low to the floor, so taller passengers will have their knees in an elevated position. The wide adjustability of the steering wheel and driver's seat provides an optimal driving position. There's plenty of headroom and legroom up front, and rear seat space is generous.

The climate control system doesn't have multiple zones for temperature adjustment like you'll find on most other cars. Also, the touchscreen-based adjustments for the air vents are distracting to use while driving. The less tech-savvy will likely find it hard to remember where all of the touchscreen controls are and wish for some real buttons or control stalks.

LATCH anchors are tucked tightly between the seat cushions, making it a challenge to hook in a car seat. But thanks to the legroom available, even rear-facing car seats will fit behind an average-size driver.

In-cabin tech

7.6/10

How’s the tech? The navigation system looks great on the 15.4-inch touchscreen and is user-friendly, though it can lag in updating when cell service is poor. The Premium and Performance have a second screen for rear passengers. Like the one in front, you can use it to stream videos from Netflix and YouTube or play a small collection of video games. However, all Model 3s suffer from the lack of integration for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and the inability to access an iPhone's music library directly. We do like the Model 3's voice commands. You can use them for things like opening the glovebox or adjusting the cabin temperature.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Storage & cargo

9/10

How’s storage and cargo? The Model 3's trunk can hold far more than you'd expect. Besides the trunk space, there's a surprisingly deep well under the trunk floor that contributes to a whopping 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. The rear seats also fold virtually flat and the opening between is quite large. Another advantage the Model 3 has over most other mainstream EVs is a frunk that offers a usable 3.1 cubic feet for a total of 24.1 cubic feet.

Storage space for small items is generous. There's a decent-size center console armrest and a deep compartment ahead of the cupholders. We also like the door pockets, which can hold water bottles and are lined with a felt-like material to help minimize rattling from stored items.

Value

7.7/10

Is the Tesla Model 3 a good value? Our test car was solidly built and nicely appointed. Though previous models fell short in interior design compared to high-end competitors, the latest 3 has noticeably improved in quality and aesthetics. You'd be hard-pressed to find better overall value from an EV, especially if you skip the Full Self-Driving feature.

Long-distance trips are easy thanks to Tesla's extensive nationwide Supercharger network. An adapter is included that lets you connect to a non-Tesla charging station.

The Model 3's warranty is comparable to the coverage for other luxury electric vehicles. It comes with four years/50,000 miles of basic coverage and eight years/120,000 miles for the battery and drive unit, with a guaranteed 70% of battery charge until then.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

MPG

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? [Editor's note: The following relates to a 2024 Model 3 we tested, but our observations still broadly apply to the 2025 Model 3.]

We tested the 2024 Model 3 Long Range AWD, and the findings hold up for the 2026 model. It's rated by the EPA for 341 miles, and it got impressively close in the Edmunds EV Range Test, hitting 338 miles. While other EVs sometimes beat their official numbers, not many go as far as the Model 3 Long Range.

Efficiency is another strong point. The Model 3 used 25.3 kWh per 100 miles, better than the Mustang Mach-E we tested, which needed 32.7 kWh for the same distance.

For fast charging, the Model 3 added 100 miles of range in around 14 minutes (431 miles per charging hour) which is about average in this segment.

X factor

7/10

Tesla is no longer a tech startup trying to figure out how to build cars. The latest Model 3 is fun to drive, comfortable, and generally free of software glitches that seem to plague a lot of other EVs from new automakers. The downside to Model 3 ownership is that the combination of the vehicle's popularity and the dearth of customizable options means the chances of you seeing an identical Tesla to yours on the road, or even in your neighborhood, is pretty high.

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.

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.

2026 Tesla Model 3

2026 Tesla Model 3 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds spotlight: Recently refreshed and better than ever

Competitors to consider

What’s it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Driving experience

Comfort

In-cabin tech

Storage & cargo

Value

MPG

X factor

2026 Tesla Model 3 trim level differences

Which Model 3 trim does Edmunds recommend?

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