Tesla Model 3 Performance

Overview

The 2025 Tesla Model 3 Performance is a rocket ship for the road, blending supercar-slaying acceleration with the practicality of a four-door sedan. As the top-tier trim, it targets enthusiasts who crave blistering speed without tailpipe emissions. Starting at $54,990, it’s a direct challenger to pedigreed German sports sedans, offering a unique mix of minimalist tech, over-the-air updates, and access to Tesla's robust Supercharger network. This latest version isn't just a refresh; it’s a significant upgrade that sharpens its focus as a true driver's car.

What's New for 2025?

For 2025, the Model 3 Performance gets a serious glow-up. It boasts a completely new adaptive damping system, a first for the Model 3, providing a dynamic ride that can be both comfortable and track-ready. Visually, it stands apart with aggressive, model-specific front and rear fascias, a rear diffuser, and a carbon fiber spoiler. Inside, the biggest news is the all-new sport seats with enhanced bolstering to keep you planted during hard cornering. These updates, combined with the quieter cabin from the standard refresh, make it a more refined beast.

Design & Exterior

The 2025 Performance trim dials up the aggression on the sleek, updated Model 3 body. It features a unique front splitter and redesigned air intakes for a meaner look, while the rear gets a distinctive diffuser and a slick carbon fiber spoiler for improved stability. New 20-inch 'Warp' wheels complete the athletic stance. The car's dimensions come in at 185.8 inches long, 72.8 inches wide, and 56.3 inches tall, maintaining its compact and nimble footprint. It’s a purposeful design that whispers performance rather than shouting it.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the cabin marries minimalism with a more premium feel. The standout features for this trim are the new, deeply bolstered sport seats, providing excellent support. The centerpiece is the crisp 15.4-inch central touchscreen, now complemented by a rear screen for passengers. Materials are improved, and ambient lighting adds a touch of class. Practicality remains a strong suit, offering a generous 21 cubic feet of trunk space, which expands to 34.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Plus, you get a handy 3.1 cubic foot frunk for extra storage.

Performance & Driving Experience

This is where the Performance trim earns its name. With a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system kicking out a combined 461 kW (around 618 hp) and 547 lb-ft of torque, it launches from 0-60 mph in a breathtaking 2.9 seconds. The new adaptive suspension transforms the driving experience, offering a supple ride for daily commutes and firm, responsive handling in Track Mode. This system, paired with enhanced brakes and a stiffer chassis, gives the car incredible poise and agility, making it a weapon on both back roads and the racetrack.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Performance model is equipped with a 79 kWh usable battery pack. Green Cars Compare calculates a real-world range of approximately 298 miles, with an impressive efficiency of 3.77 mi/kWh. At home, the 11.5 kW onboard AC charger can top up the battery overnight. On the road, its 400V architecture and NACS port allow it to pull a maximum of 250 kW at a DC fast charger, zapping the battery from 10-80% in under 30 minutes. This makes long-distance travel quick and convenient using Tesla’s Supercharger network.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Tesla’s commitment to safety is evident, with the Model 3 earning top 5-star ratings from both the NHTSA and Euro NCAP. Standard on the Performance trim is Tesla’s Autopilot, which includes traffic-aware adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. For more advanced capabilities, buyers can opt for the Enhanced Autopilot or the Full Self-Driving (FSD) Capability packages. These add features like automatic lane changes, Autopark, and Summon, though FSD remains a supervised system and does not make the vehicle fully autonomous.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

The 2025 Model 3 Performance is covered by Tesla's standard warranty package. This includes a basic vehicle limited warranty for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. The crucial battery and drive unit are covered for a longer period of 8 years or 120,000 miles, with a guarantee of retaining at least 70% of the battery's original capacity over that time. Unlike some rivals, Tesla does not include complimentary scheduled maintenance, largely because its EVs require very little routine servicing beyond tire rotations and fluid checks.