Tesla Model 3

The most affordable Tesla yet is tempting on the face of it, so should you yield or resist? When Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning established Tesla Motors in 2003, with Elon Musk joining as chairman shortly after, the Tesla Model 3 was their ultimate goal. Namely, a low-cost, high-volume electric car with the kind of appeal that could wean us all off internal combustion for good. Perhaps it seemed like a distant vision at the time, but 15 years isn’t such a long time for such lofty ambitions to be realised, even in the automotive industry. Musk would go on to oversee Tesla's design and development of the Lotus Elise-based Roadster (an example of which was recently used as a dummy payload for one of the Falcon Heavy test flights into space) and bring Tesla to the attention of the public.Deliveries for the Tesla Model S saloon then started in 2012 before the Model X SUV arrived a few years later. The Model 3 went on sale in 2017, before the Model Y joined it at the start of 2022. Since then, the Model 3 has grown into one of the most venerable electric cars on sale - a genuine game changer, and named the UK’s second best-selling electric car in 2022, after just behind the Model Y.But as the number of electric cars on sale continues to grow, is the Tesla Model 3 still the ultimate choice for everyday electric driving? Find out below with our in-depth road test. The Model 3 range at a glanceThree flavours of Model 3 are available in the UK: The entry-level, rear-wheel drive Model 3, and two all-wheel drive, dual motor models - Long Range and Performance. Entry-level models start from £42,990 in the UK, but you get a lot of performance for your money. The rear-wheel drive Model 3 provides 245bhp and completes 0-62mph in 5.8sec, with a range of 305 miles.The Long Range Tesla Model 3 ups the stakes to 351bhp, completing 0-62mph in a supercar-baiting 4.2sec, with a boosted range of 374 miles. If that’s still too tame, you can opt for the Tesla Model 3 Performance, with a staggering 456bhp, 340 miles of range and a forceful 3.1sec sprint from 0-62mph. Model tested Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus Price £37,340 (including £3500 government grant, at time of testing) Power 252bhp Torque 277lb ft 0-60mph 5.8sec 30-70mph in fourth na Fuel economy 3.13mpkWh CO2 emissions 0g/km 70-0mph 45.5m