The ability to travel so far without the need to find a charging point is altering perceptions of electric motoring, removing the once-feared ‘range anxiety’.
Official figures suggest that the Long Range version of the rear-wheel drive variant has 436 miles of range.
Tesla has also been quick to point to improvements in efficiency. With a consumption of 20.1kWh per 100 miles, down from 20.6kWh, it’s the most efficient Tesla vehicle built to date.
Tesla reckons that, with a favourable overnight electricity tariff at 7p per kWh, an owner charging at home driving 10,000 miles per year would spend less than £150 a year on charging. On the face of it, that sounds very appealing.
Tesla also states that the vehicle is the most efficient and best price-to-range ratio on the EV market in the UK.
Having spent a week with the car, I can’t get close to verifying those claims..
The rest of the car is consistent with the standard Model 3 – and that’s no bad thing.
It means the vehicle benefits from all the connectivity and cabin trimmings launched during last year’s update.
Behind the wheel, the car’s sporty performance and handling makes for a very satisfying drive, with the rear-wheel-drive configuration further enhancing the feeling of nimbleness when cornering.
Generally, the car feels grippy and trustworthy, although it can still feel a bit skittish over undulating surfaces.
When you step inside, you’re met with a classy interior. Clean, uncluttered and minimalist, it feels like a relaxing space.
The feeling of tranquility is further boosted by the fact the cabin is quieter than ever thanks to 360˚ acoustic glass, improved suspension bushings, seals and sound-dampening materials.
I must confess that I rarely took advantage of that silence as I was making the most of the crisp sounds produced by the Tesla-designed premium audio system, featuring nine speakers and an amplifier, with native support for streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and more.
There are no stalks on the steering wheel, with indicators, headlight dip and screenwash all controlled via buttons on the steering wheel.
Meanwhile, drive and winscreen wipers are operated through the large touchscreen.
A huge range of functions, including plenty of entertainment options, are available through the touchscreen, which is crisp and intuitive.
Meanwhile, the eight-inch second-row display provides easy access to climate control, and entertainment to the rear passengers. Front passengers can enjoy the added comfort of ventilated seats, while heated seats in both the first and second rows provide warmth when temperatures drop.
Like all Teslas, the Model 3 has access to over 10,000 Tesla Superchargers in Europe – part of the largest and most reliable ultra-fast charging network in the world.
All in all, it’s a superb all-round offering that ticks so many of the right boxes.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range
TOP SPEED: 125mph
0-60MPH: 4.9 sec
RANGE: 436 miles
CONSUMPTION: 20.1kWh per 100 miles
DRIVE: Rear wheels
PRICE: From £44,990
