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. Access to Tesla's expansive Supercharger network of fast chargers also makes on-the-go charging pretty painless. 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

We don't expect significant changes to the 2026 Model 3
Part of the first Model 3 generation introduced for 2017

Overview

Written by automotive expert Jared Gall

7/29/2025

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.

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 both a Model 3 Long Range and a Model 3 Performance for our One-Year Road Test program to see what it's like to live with these opposite ends of the Model 3 spectrum. Follow along at these links to see how well the Long Range and Performance live up to their names.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Jonathan Elfalan

Great

8.2

out of 10

We drove the 2026 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.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the Model 3 drive? The Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive, which is what we tested, is surprisingly sporty and engaging to drive. At the Edmunds test track, our test car accelerated from zero 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 our testing.

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

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the Model 3? The Model 3's front seats have a pleasing combination of cushioning and firmness, with decent-size bolsters to hold you tight around corners. The 3's seats also come with heating and ventilation as standard. The rear seats are pretty comfortable, though they are a bit low to the floor, so taller passengers will have their knees in an elevated position. In our testing, the Model 3 rode smoothly over most road surfaces and blocked out most road and wind noise.

Our scoring could be even higher here, but 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.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? If you're savvy with touchscreens, using the Model 3's main touchscreen for nearly everything will come pretty naturally to you. But those less keen on tech will likely find it hard to remember where all of the touchscreen controls are and wish for some real buttons or control stalks. The touchscreen's drive selector isn't as annoying to use as we expected, but the steering wheel-mounted turn signal buttons are just plain odd.

On the upside, the wide adjustability of the steering wheel and driver's seat provides an optimal driving position and excellent outward visibility. We also like the Model 3's roomy cabin. There's plenty of headroom and legroom up front, and the rear seating area is also pretty generous.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Tesla's infotainment system has a few standout features but also some things that are ripe for improvement. The Google-based navigation display looks great on the 15.4-inch touchscreen and is user-friendly, though it can lag in updating when you're driving in areas with poor cell service.

You'll love cranking your favorite music in the Model 3. The premium 17-speaker system offers an immersive listening experience that reveals new dimensions in familiar tracks. However, the lack of integration for common smartphone features like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the inability to access an iPhone's music library directly, is a bit of a bummer if you're someone who likes to transition from phone to car seamlessly.

On the upside, there's a second screen for rear passengers. Like the front screen, you can use it to stream videos from Netflix and YouTube or play a small collection of built-in video games. Two USB-C chargers also keep mobile devices juiced up. The voice command system generally works well and you can use it for things like opening the glovebox or adjusting the climate temperature (though it will only set it to the nearest even number).

Tesla's AutoPilot system, which bundles a variety of driver assist features, generally works well, though we have found 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. It's hard to justify the cost, especially when you're just paying to turn the feature on.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? 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 sounds from stored items.

The Model 3 isn't the best if you have young children. The car seat anchors are tucked tightly between the seat cushions, so it can be a challenge to get your car seat's anchors in there. But thanks to the legroom available, even rear-facing car seats will fit behind an average-size driver.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Range and Efficiency

9/10

How are the range and efficiency? [Editor's note: The following relates to a 2024 Model 3 we tested but our observations still broadly apply to the 2026 Model 3.] We tested the 2024 Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive equipped with 18-inch wheels. It got an EPA-estimated range of 341 miles on a full charge. This is a respectable distance for an EV, and in our independent Edmunds EV Range Test, the Model 3 nearly hit that mark, traveling a total of 338 miles before zeroing out its remaining range gauge. Other vehicles in the segment generally beat their range estimates, but few can ultimately go as far as the Model 3 Long Range.

The Model 3 is still the most efficient dual-motor EV we've tested to date. We calculated that we used 25.3 kWh of electricity for every 100 miles driven. A comparable Ford Mustang Mach-E we tested, for example, used 32.7 kWh/100 miles. Unlike a gas vehicle's mpg, the lower the kWh number used for an EV, the better.

Tesla says the Model 3 can reach fast-charging speeds of up to 250 kW, which is estimated to add up to 175 miles of range in 15 minutes.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Model 3 a good value? Tesla's Model 3 impressively bridges the gap between luxury and affordability for EVs. Our test car was solidly built and nicely appointed. Though previous models fell short in interior design compared to high-end competitors, the latest Model 3 has noticeably improved in quality and aesthetics. Pricing is also appealing. You'll be hard-pressed to find better overall value from a competing EV, especially if you skip buying the Full Self-Driving features.

The Model 3 used to come with an assortment of charge cord options, but now it only comes with an adapter that you can use to connect to a non-Tesla charging cord. Long-distance trips are easy to do thanks to Tesla's extensive nationwide network of quick-charging Supercharger stations.

The Model 3's warranty is comparable to 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.

Wildcard

8/10

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.

Which Model 3 does Edmunds recommend?

Tesla hasn't released official information on the 2026 Model 3 as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's Model 3, the entry-level Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive is our choice. Every Model 3 has the same luxury and tech features, so you'll only need to decide on exterior and interior color, wheel choice and whether you want the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) package.

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

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Range and Efficiency

Value

Wildcard

Which Model 3 does Edmunds recommend?

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