Tesla Model 3 Tesla Model 3

Overview

The 2025 Tesla Model 3 Performance is the ultimate evolution of the game-changing electric saloon, now dialled up to eleven with the 'Highland' update. It’s a true wolf in sheep's clothing, blending everyday usability with ludicrously quick acceleration that embarrasses proper supercars. Positioned to challenge premium sports saloons, this top-tier trim offers staggering performance for its price. With an estimated new cost of €58,470 in Europe, it packages cutting-edge tech, a sleek new design, and track-ready dynamics into one compelling, high-voltage machine. It's the performance EV benchmark, redefined.

What's New for 2025?

This isn't just a facelift; the 2025 Performance trim is a total rethink. The headline feature is the all-new adaptive damping system, a first for the Model 3, offering a huge range between ride comfort and track-day stiffness. Inside, you get incredible new ventilated sport seats that hug you in the corners. The exterior gets a more aggressive front splitter, a carbon fibre rear spoiler, and unique aero tweaks. Under the skin, the dual-motor powertrain has been beefed up to deliver a whopping 461 kW of power for breathtaking launches.

Design & Exterior

Building on the slick 'Highland' redesign, the Performance model looks sharper and more purposeful. The slimmed-down headlights and smoother body lines are complemented by trim-specific details that scream speed. It features a unique, more aggressive front bumper, a subtle carbon fibre boot lid spoiler, and awesome 20-inch 'Warp' wheels. Measuring 4720 mm long, 1849 mm wide, and just 1431 mm high, it has a low, planted stance that signals its incredible dynamic capabilities without being overly shouty. It’s a masterclass in understated aggression.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

The cabin gets the full 'Highland' treatment, with a wraparound ambient light strip and improved materials giving it a more premium feel. Exclusive to this trim are fantastic new ventilated sports seats, offering brilliant support for spirited driving. A massive central screen controls almost everything, but there's still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Passengers get their own screen in the back for entertainment. For practicality, you get a generous 594-litre boot, a handy 88-litre frunk up front, and a total of 977 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Performance & Driving Experience

Brace yourself. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup, with its Induction Motor at the front and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor at the rear, unleashes a colossal 461 kW and 741 Nm of torque. This results in a blistering 0-100 km/h sprint of just 3.1 seconds. The new adaptive suspension is a game-changer, letting you toggle between a surprisingly compliant ride and a super-sharp track mode. The steering is lightning-quick, and with customisable regenerative braking modes, you can set the car up perfectly for a relaxing cruise or a B-road blast.

Range, Battery & Charging

This performance monster doesn't sacrifice practicality. Its 75 kWh usable battery pack delivers a real-world range estimated by Green Cars Compare at around 451 km, with an impressive efficiency of 6.01 km/kWh. Charging at home or the office is handled by the standard 11 kW on-board AC charger. When you need a quick top-up, its 400V architecture can handle DC fast charging up to 250 kW via its CCS Type 2 port, zapping the battery from 10-80% in well under 30 minutes. It's fast on the road and at the plug.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Tesla's commitment to safety is clear, with the Model 3 earning a top 5-star rating from Euro NCAP. Standard Autopilot provides excellent adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, making long motorway slogs far less stressful. Key features like blind-spot cameras and collision avoidance assist are included. For those wanting more, the optional Enhanced Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (FSD) packages add features like automatic lane changes, Navigate on Autopilot, and the promise of future autonomous capabilities, making it one of the most advanced systems on the market.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Tesla provides solid peace of mind with its warranty package. The basic vehicle is covered for 4 years or 80,000 km in Europe. More importantly, the expensive bits—the battery and drive unit—are covered for a lengthy 8 years or 192,000 km, with a guarantee to retain at least 70% of the battery’s original capacity. There are no mandatory annual services; the car uses a condition-based maintenance schedule and simply tells you when it needs attention for items like cabin filters or brake fluid, helping keep running costs down.