Overview
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 is an electric car that lives up to the hype. It has a good mix of performance, range, and price. This means that the Model 3 is a good electric car for people who like to drive. It’s fast, especially in the Performance trim.
It can go 358 miles on a single charge on the mid-level Long Range trim, so it doesn’t need to be charged every day. A low price does not unlock the Model 3’s full potential, and it doesn’t look or feel as good as other cars, like the Chevy Bolt and Ford Mustang Mach E, that are also on the market. Still, there isn’t a better way to park one of Tesla’s new electric cars in your driveway for a low price.
What’s New for 2022 Tesla Model 3?
Rear-Wheel Drive is the new name for last year’s Standard Range model. It has a new battery pack that is made of lithium-ion-phosphate instead of nickel-cobalt-aluminium.
Even though this battery pack isn’t as energy-dense as the previous one, the estimated range for this model has gone up to 272 miles. Also, this year’s Long Range trim has a little extra range, to 358 miles per charge.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Rear-Wheel Drive model is the best value, but its estimated range of 272 miles may not be enough for some people. We’d recommend the Long Range model, which has an estimated range of 358 miles on a single charge. It comes with heated seats, navigation, and Tesla’s Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system. All Model 3s come with these things. Starting at $46,440
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Electric cars like the Model 3 move smoothly and almost quietly, with the electric motor giving strong power from a stop. It’s also very fast in some trims.
During our tests, the rear-wheel-drive Long Range model went from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds. In just 3.5 seconds, the Model 3 Performance goes from 0 to 60 mph. That’s 0.5 seconds faster than our long-term Model 3 Long Range. As with all Tesla cars, the Model 3 has its battery under the floor, which means it has a low center of gravity.
This makes it change direction quickly and feel more stable and planted in the corner. The steering is very accurate and well-weighted. There are three settings that can change how much effort it takes to steer the car. A gas-powered engine makes a lot of noise, but the ride isn’t very rough. You can still hear the tires thwack and thud over bumps in the road.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
Three different Model 3 trims are available, each with a different estimated range. The Rear-Wheel Drive model is the least expensive, and it has a range of 272 miles on the highway. Long Range or Performance models make the Model 3’s range go up to 315 miles for the Performance and 358 miles for the Long Range.
So, of course, it’s not easy to get this far, as we’ve found out with our long-term Long Range Model 3 test car. Superchargers are Tesla’s network of fast-charging stations. There are adapters for DC public charging stations, 240- and 120-volt plugs, and an outlet for charging at home.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
People who drive electric cars get 113 MPGe or more on the Model 3’s electric cars. But when we took our test car on the 75-mile-an-hour highway, it only got 84 MPGe. Standard on the Model 3 is a set of aluminium wheels with plastic aerodynamic hubcaps on top of them.
We wanted to find out how much these hubcaps would affect the car’s range of travel, so we put it to the test. We were surprised to find that they helped more than we thought. If you want to learn more about the Model 3’s gas mileage, go to the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Our statement that the Tesla Model 3 has an interior that isn’t like any other car on the market today isn’t a lie. With the monolithic touchscreen in the center of the dashboard, you can do almost everything.
There is a lot of space and light in the Tesla because the floor is very low and flat. It’s not likely that adults will be able to spend a lot of time in the back seats, which are small and uncomfortable. Folding the 60/40 split-folding rear seats is easy and opens up a lot of space in the trunk.
The backs of the seats in the Model 3 can also be folded down, giving the car a clear cargo space for larger items. With the rear seats down, the Model 3 has enough space for 15 carry-on suitcases. There are also large bins and cubbies all over the cabin.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Navigation, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity come standard on the Model 3. The Model 3 doesn’t have AM radio or SiriusXM satellite radio, though. Radio options that can be streamed over the internet are standard. If you want to use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, you can’t get this car. To make charging station layovers more bearable, the Model 3 has a lot of entertainment options on its central screen, like Netflix, YouTube, and a whole bunch of arcade games.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
It’s not clear to us whether the name “Autopilot” is misleading, but the driver-assist system has one of the best feature sets in the industry. It’s easy to use and can do things like change lanes automatically. In order to learn more about the Model 3’s crash test results, go to both the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety websites. Safety features that are important:
- It’s standard for cars to have automatic emergency brakes.
- Lane-departure warnings are standard.
- This is standard adaptive cruise control.
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
In general, Tesla’s warranty coverage is one of the longest in the electric car industry. It’s disappointing that the coverage doesn’t cover corrosion protection. The Long Range model comes with an extra 20,000 miles of battery and drives parts coverage.
- A limited warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles.
- Powertrain warranties last for eight years or 100,000 miles.
- There is no free scheduled maintenance.
With a near ideal blend of performance, driving range, and accessible pricing, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 is an electric vehicle that lives up to the hype. It's fast—especially the Performance trim—and it's agile, which means the Model 3 is an EV that driving enthusiasts like us can get behind.
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Overview
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Performance
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Price
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Battery Life
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Safety
