Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Entry Level Tesla Performance
New Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus 2020 review
The boot lid is now electrically operated. While the volume is on a par with manyrivals, the opening is small - though the Model 3 looks like a hatchback, it isnt. The front boot, meanwhile, has shrunken slightly. This is because some of the space has now been occupied by a new feature to the Model 3: a heat pump.
First used by Tesla on its Model Y, a heat pump takes the place of the previous resistive heater. Put simply, the new system works a little like a fridge, compressing a fluid which generates heat. This heat can then be used to warm the cabin or, by reducing the fluids pressure further along the system, produce a colder flow of air instead. The main plus point of a heat pump is that its more efficient than the resistive heater to warm the cabin, which reduces the range impact when trying to keep toasty in colder climates.
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Along with some subtle software tweaks, the new heating system means that range has improved slightly across all of the Model 3 variants. In the case of this entry level SR +, the resulting 267 mile figure is 13 more than before. In our experience the real-world figures came close, if not completely matching that number, even on a day when temperatures barely made it above freezing.
Unlike the top end Performance versions, the Standard Range Plus makes do with just one electric motor driving the rear wheels. While the drop in acceleration is noticeable compared to the twin motor setup, the Model 3 is still, put simply, a fast executive saloon.
Tesla Model 3: range, battery & charging
Model | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
Standard Range | 318-344 miles | 9hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 25mins (10-80%, 170kW) |
Long Range | 390-421 miles | 12hrs (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 27mins (10-80%, 250kW) |
Range anxiety is slowly becoming less and less of a concern in the world of EVs, with the longest range electric cars able to travel over 400 miles on a single charge. Thanks to a recent update, the Tesla Model 3 now also falls into this illustrious category, with the Long Range model now capable of up to 421 miles on a charge.
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What really sets the Tesla apart from its competitors, however, is its full access to the brands extensive Supercharger network. While this is slowly being opened up to the general public at a higher cost, Superchargers are amongst the fastest public chargers out there and are incredibly easy to use. All your payment data is stored in your Teslas infotainment system, meaning all you need to do is pull up, plug-in and charge away.
Tesla Model 3 range
No matter which version of the Tesla Model 3 you choose, all offer over 300 miles of range on the combined WLTP tests. The base Model 3, with its 344-mile estimate, should have legs long enough for most buyers especially given the average daily mileage is supposedly around 20 miles. In fact, during our test drive, the Model 3s central display indicated an average efficiency of 4.1 miles per kilowatt-hour, resulting in a real-world range of 240ish miles quite a bit less than Teslas claimed figure, but strong nonetheless.
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Tesla says the Model 3 Long Range can do up to 421 miles on a single charge, provided you stick with the standard-fit 18-inch alloys, and weve got reason to believe that. During our winter tests of the pre-facelift car, we easily managed to average efficiency of around 4.4 miles per kWh; taking into account the old Long Ranges battery size of around 70kWh, this results in a range of 308 miles. With a light right foot and warmer weather, we suspect drivers should easily be able to do 350 miles of driving before needing to plug-in.
The now-discontinued top-of-the-range Tesla Model 3 Performance models had a reduced maximum range of 340 miles; of course, it goes without saying that making use of the insane power and acceleration thats on offer will quickly have a negative impact on your maximum range.
Charge time
Plug the Model 3 into a V3 or V4 Tesla Supercharger you can charge from 10-80% capacity in under 30 minutes. Of course, because the Model 3 features a CCS charging port you can use any other public rapid and ultra-rapid chargers, too.
If you're topping up the Model 3 from a standard 7.4kW home wallbox it'll take a little over nine hours to fully charge the base model or 12 hours for a Long Range or Performance version. As with most electric cars, a three-pin cable is supplied more as an emergency backup than as a routine charging solution. Itll take a couple of days to fully charge the Model 3 from a domestic socket giving you around 10 miles of range per hour. Charging in this way is clearly not a long-term solution, but can still be useful in a pinch.
