2022 Tesla Model 3 Black

With a near ideal blend of performance, driving range, and accessible pricing, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 is an electric vehicle that lives up to the hype. Its fast—especially the Performance trim—and its agile, which means the Model 3 is an EV that driving enthusiasts like us can get behind. We even named it to our 2022 Editors Choice list. Driving range is an impressive 358 miles per charge on the mid-level Long Range trim, so its not necessary to charge the Model 3 every day. Its attractive entry price doesnt unlock the Model 3s full potential, though, and its fit and finish doesnt quite match alternatives such as the Chevy Bolt and Ford Mustang Mach E. Still, theres not a more inexpensive way to park one of Teslas groundbreaking EVs in your driveway.

Whats New for 2022?

Last years Standard Range model has been renamed Rear-Wheel Drive and given a new kind of battery pack that uses lithium-ion-phosphate instead of nickel-cobalt-aluminum. Despite being less energy dense than the previous battery pack, estimated range for this entry-level model has increased to 272 miles. The Long Range trim also sees a slight uptick in its estimated driving range this year, to 358 miles per charge.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

As with most EVs, the Model 3 gains speed smoothly and almost silently, with the electric motor providing strong power from a stop. And its fast—extremely so in some trims. The rear-wheel-drive Long Range model we tested sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The Model 3 Performance rockets to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds—0.5-second faster than our long-term Model 3 Long Range. Like all Teslas, the Model 3 carries its battery under the floor, resulting in a low center of gravity. This helps it change direction crisply and feel planted and stable in corners. The steering is accurate and well weighted, with three different settings that adjust the level of steering effort. The ride is firm without being harsh; without the noise of a gas-powered engine, however, you do hear plenty of noise inside the cabin as the tires thwack and thrum over pavement imperfections.