2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance

　　

2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2022 Tesla Model 3 is the smallest and most affordable offering from the California-based all-electric automaker. After making a number of updates for 2021 that included an upgraded interior, increased range on a full charge, and additional standard features, Tesla is keeping things pretty much the same for the 2022 Model 3. There are a few minor upgrades, such as a quicker processor for the infotainment system, but overall the Model 3's key attributes continue to be its excellent range, strong performance, and comfortable and spacious interior.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

Tesla Model 3 EV Insights

Trim:Model 3 Performance

　　Performance 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $62,990 MSRP

　　

Range

　　315 miles

　　EPA Estimated Range

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 268 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 120,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　

Charging at Home

　　10 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　Tesla SuperchargerProprietary Tesla charging standard. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$64/mo

　　Model 3

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Car Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　Tesla isn't the only automaker offering compelling electric cars these days, however. The Ford Mustang Mach-E stands out with its sporty performance and useful cargo area, while the all-new BMW i4 is a proper luxury sport sedan that just happens to be an EV. That said, Tesla's early start has given the company a boost when it comes to the entire package. The Model 3 is still a hugely compelling sedan, and despite some of our frustrations with less-than-advertised range and cumbersome tech, it's well worth a look if you're in the market for an electric vehicle. Check out our test team's Expert Rating for our in-depth evaluation of the Model 3's performance, range and more.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar bought a 2017 Tesla Model 3 Long Range not long after it originally went on sale, keeping it for nearly two years and about 24,000 miles. Our car was an early model, so we had a few hiccups during our test, but many of them have since been addressed. Check out our Recurrent to learn more about what Model 3 ownership is all about.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Model 3 Performance drive? The Model 3 Performance is a legitimate performance car thanks to incredible acceleration, quick and responsive steering, and nimble handling. In zzdcar' testing, it reached 60 mph in 3.3 seconds (3.1 seconds with the 1-foot rollout), which is hold-my-beer level of entertainment. All you have to do is mat the accelerator and hold on.

　　The Performance model's 20-inch summer tires are a marked improvement over the standard car's rubber. They aren't the grippiest when compared to the tires on other performance luxury EVs in this class, but they offer more than sufficient stick to handle most of the spirited driving you'll be doing, on the street or on a closed course. And if you only want an effortlessly quick daily cruiser, the Tesla will do that too.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Model 3 Performance? Now that the luxury EV field has expanded some, the Model 3's level of comfort isn't quite as impressive as it once was. In particular, the front seats lack support and breathability for long hours on the road, and a high floor makes for a slightly awkward seating position for rear passengers.

　　The innovative climate controls are adjusted via the touchscreen, and they allow both driver and front passenger to direct the vents on either side of the cabin. Other manufacturers have since replicated this system but Tesla's is still the standout. The cabin is quiet and keeps wind, electric propulsion and most road noise at bay. Ride comfort is surprisingly agreeable most of the time, especially considering the size of the 20-inch wheels and stickier summer rubber. It'll still feel a bit busy if the road surface is broken, but that's expected in a performance vehicle.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below