Tesla Model 3 Performance

Overview

The Tesla Model 3 Performance has long been the go-to electric rocket for those craving supercar-baiting pace without the six-figure price tag. This final iteration of the pre-Highland generation, now discontinued as of 2024, cemented its place as a tech-forward sports sedan. With its dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, it delivers electrifying acceleration and a feature-packed experience. While no longer available new, you might snag one on the used market in Europe, with prices for this 2018-2024 model around €23,650, offering immense bang for your buck. It’s a proper weapon on the road!

What's New for 2024?

For this specific 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance, as documented, it marks the final model year of its 2018-2024 generation before the major "Highland" update subsequently rolled out for other trims and eventually a new Performance version. So, "new" for this particular variant means it’s the ultimate refinement of its lineage, carrying over its established potent package. Think of it as the swan song, benefiting from years of iterative improvements before production ceased in 2024. Focus had already shifted to incoming refreshed models, so major changes weren't part of this outgoing hero's finale.

Design & Exterior

The Model 3 Performance always cut a dash with its slippery, minimalist design, and this version is no exception. It shouts its intentions subtly with features like 20-inch Überturbine wheels, a sleek carbon fibre spoiler for a bit of extra downforce, and performance brakes peeking through. LED lighting all around keeps things modern. Key dimensions are a tidy 4695 mm in length, 1850 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and a low-slung 1445 mm height, giving it that purposeful, sporty stance. It’s less shouty than some rivals but still looks undeniably sharp.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside, and you're greeted by Tesla's signature spartan-chic cabin, dominated by a massive central touchscreen that controls pretty much everything – no native Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but Tesla's own system is slick and responsive. Passenger space is decent for a sedan of its size. For your gear, you get a generous 561-litre boot, expanding to an impressive 1235 litres with the rear seats folded down, plus a very handy 88-litre frunk under the bonnet. Material quality is good, though the focus is clearly more on the tech fest than old-school luxury.

Performance & Driving Experience

Hold on tight! This Model 3 Performance will catapult you from 0-100 km/h in a neck-snapping 3.3 seconds. That’s thanks to its potent dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, combining an AC induction motor at the front and a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor at the rear, punching out a combined 377 kW and a hefty 660 Nm of torque. The driving experience is incredibly direct and engaging, with go-kart-like handling, though the ride can be firm. Track Mode unleashes its full, riotous potential on circuit, and the regenerative braking is super strong.

Range, Battery & Charging

Under the floor sits a 76 kWh (usable) battery pack, which according to Green Cars Compare's calculations, should deliver a real-world range of around 489 km – pretty solid for a performance machine! Energy efficiency is rated at a decent 6.43 km/kWh. For juicing up, it uses the European standard CCS Type 2 port. At home on its standard 11 kW AC on-board charger, a full top-up takes around 7-8 hours. Hit a Tesla Supercharger or compatible DC fast charger, and you can ram in electrons at up to 250 kW.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Tesla hasn’t skimped on safety, with this Model 3 Performance proudly wearing a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Standard Autopilot is on board, giving you excellent adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, making motorway slogs a proper doddle. You also get essentials like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. For those wanting the full tech suite, Enhanced Autopilot or the Full Self-Driving (FSD) Capability package were often available as optional upgrades, adding features like auto lane change and Navigate on Autopilot. Safety is definitely a strong point.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

In Europe, Tesla typically backed this Model 3 with a 4-year/80,000 km basic vehicle warranty. Crucially for an EV, the battery and drive unit on the Performance variant received a more comprehensive 8-year/192,000 km warranty, usually with a 70% battery capacity retention guarantee. Maintenance is famously minimal – say goodbye to oil changes! Software updates arrive magically over-the-air, often adding new features or improvements. Reliability has generally been good, making for a relatively low-fuss ownership proposition compared to complex petrol performance cars.