Tesla invited EVbuyer to a special event at one of Tesla’s new body shops and prep centres, currently under construction in Wolverhampton.

This provided us with an opportunity to view the new 2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland and assess the improvements made over the previous model.

The Best-Selling EV In The World

The Tesla Model 3 has been a true disruptor in the global automotive market. Surprisingly, it thrived during the pandemic, becoming the best-selling electric car.

It surpassed traditional premium sector leaders like the BMW 3-series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
as companies also took advantage of the Tax breaks and company car tax savings.

Most reported how well the car drove, especially the performance, the tech and the Tesla charging network. It soon became a fleet favourite.

Early criticisms focused on build quality, with some buyers reporting subpar paint finishes and poor-fitting panels.

However, with the introduction of Tesla’s GIGA press for the 2021 models, which precision-casts the chassis. Improvements have been significant.

The 2024 Highland Model

For 2024, the Model 3 has received significant enhancements and a compelling new pricing strategy that undercuts its competitors.

The Model 3 has since given up the title of best-selling EV to its SUV brother, the Model Y.
But it continues to stand against emerging competitors like the Polestar 2, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia EV6, and BMW i4.

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Lineup

So far, for 2024, there are two variants of the Model 3 available:

• Tesla Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive: £39,990
• Tesla Model 3 Long Range: £49,990

• Changes for 2024
• Design
• Interior
• Autopilot features
• Performance
• Range, specifications, and pricing

2024: Evolutionary Update

The 2024 update for the Model 3 Highland is more of an evolution than a complete overhaul. With over two million Model 3s built since 2016, Tesla opted for refinement and efficiency improvements rather than a complete redesign.

New Headlights

The updated design features narrower blended LED headlights designed to eliminate the foglights. This new cleaner front area not only deletes a part but also significantly helps improve aerodynamics.

The bonnet now features a subtle kick, directing airflow over the car. Tesla also removed the vents in the front bumper.

Range

These changes have resulted in an improved drag coefficient of 0.219, extending the claimed theoretical range to an impressive 421 miles in the long-range dual-motor version.

The batteries remain unchanged, but the power of the motors has been reportedly reduced.

This has resulted in a new theoretical range of 421 miles.

Seasoned Tesla owners were expecting a real-world range of 350 miles, which is still impressive and translates to a round trip from North Yorkshire to London on a 15-minute charge.

Structural Differences

Additional refinements encompass 360-degree double-glazed acoustic glass, enhanced suspension bushes, seals, and sound-dampening materials, all contributing to a 30% reduction in wind noise.

A locating pin on the door bottom, part of the crash protection features, also improves rigidity, and the extra side protection bars within the door structure add some weight, resulting in a solid thunk when closing the doors.

New Colours

You’ll see in our video two new colours so far for the UK market: ultra red and stealth grey. The ultra red pops, but without a side-by-side comparison, it was hard to spot the difference over the current grey metallic of our own Model Y.

The Controversial Removal Of The Indicator Stalks

Another victim of the Elon parts deletion exercise is the indicators and gear change stalks.

Tesla isn’t alone in not having stalks; some models have Ferrari now have buttons on the wheel for indicators. But the Ferrari tends to have big, chunky buttons on opposite sides of the wheel rather than haptic touch buttons on the same side.

We didn’t get to check this out ourselves, but others have experienced an issue with the Model S and X, especially when exiting a roundabout.

Interior

Inside, there’s a new steering wheel with integrated indicator controls, redesigned vented seats that offer both cooling and heating and an updated 15.4-inch centre screen with a larger viewable area. New mood lighting and an additional 8.0-inch screen for rear-seat passengers add to the overall experience.

The rear screen placed between the two front seats offers enhanced climate control functions for rear passengers, something that was previously only controllable from the front.

Rear passengers can now also watch Netflicks, Disney and search the internet. There are two USB two sockets below as well to charge iPads, phones, etc.

Improved Storage

The boot now has what we like to call hamster cheeks on our Tesla Model Y, in that it has two storage areas that extend into the rear wings. Large enough for a bag of groceries on each side, we were fond of the solution.

The glovebox, however, has become shrunken. We forget to ask the reasoning why, but needless to say, it’s a bit of an odd move.

Driving Experience

Driving the Model 3 is a near-silent experience, with surprisingly fast acceleration. The body rigidity is good, and refinement has taken a step forward over the older version.

The Model 3 offers agile steering and impressive pointy agility for a mid-sized saloon. Quick steering makes it a good fit for the UK’s busy roads. It also offers impressive agility for a saloon of its size, weighing not far off two tonnes.

Suspension

The Tesla Model 3 features a well-damped and firm suspension that effectively absorbs road noise.

Cruising in the Model 3 is enjoyable, with instant torque and acceleration, one of Tesla’s strongest features. The Dual Motor variant is even quicker, with plenty of traction; watch the rear-wheel drive-only version off wet roundabouts.

There are a few ergonomic inconveniences, such as the thick windscreen A-pillars and the somewhat chunky steering wheel. The forward-facing camera shroud at the top of the windscreen can sometimes obstruct the view ahead when you look in the rear-view mirror.

Autopilot Features

Designed primarily for long, straight American freeways, Autopilot’s performance on the UK’s congested and bendy motorways is commendable. It operates with improved functionality for 2024, becoming more intuitive and capable of handling busy traffic situations with each software update.

However, a word of caution: autopilot is not self-driving; you must keep a keen eye on its behaviour. Squeezing past lorries or passing under a bridge shadow can trick the car into tapping the brake (phantom braking).
Since 2022, It’s much improved, but on our own Model Y, a recent software update re-introduced the occurrence.

To engage Autopilot, tap the right-hand scroll control on the wheel, rest your hands on the wheel, and guide the car. When you want to change lanes, tap the indicator, and the car gently eases you across the lanes. Although it’s not flawless on UK motorways, its design aims to keep the driver relaxed while ensuring full alertness on the road ahead.

New users may need time to adapt to its sensitivity.

The Tesla Model 3 Performance

Tesla hasn’t announced the performance model yet; the rumours are that it will be more exciting than the outgoing performance model, with some styling changes to set it apart from the lesser models.

The last Performance version had black 20″ turbine alloys, a carbon spoiler, and red brake callipers, but visually, that was it. However, the performance figures were something else, with 0-60 arriving in 3.1 seconds.

In Track Mode, the Model 3 Performance maximizes motor performance, brakes, battery usage, and radiators to achieve 5% faster lap times on any given circuit. The steering sharpens up, and turn-in becomes more aggressive. On normal UK roads across the country, we found ours to handle impressively.

Reduced Performance For Efficiency Gains.

Tesla confirmed that it lowered the top speed of the brand-new Model 3 because the new tyres are quieter and help improve efficiency. What it did not say, however, was that it has also lowered the HP figures.

The rear-wheel-drive Tesla 2024 Model 3 Highland has a single official output of 194 kW or 260 hp. from its single rear-mounted electric motor.

The 2023 Tesla Model 3 RWD puts out 19 hp more, making 279 hp or 208 kW.

The Long Range

The all-wheel-drive 2024 Tesla Model 3 Lomg Range gets an extra motor on the front axle, and that helps it develop 331 kW or 444 hp.

The 2023 Telsa Model 3 Long Range comes on top with 493 hp (368 kW) – a whopping 49 hp (37 kW) difference.
Tesla says there’s a one-second difference between them regarding zero-to-60 mph times.

There’s no word about the renewed Performance version or if performance boost will be available as a software upgrade or listed as an option on Tesla’s UK Site.

Tesla Supercharger Sites

The Tesla Supercharger network in the UK offers over 1000 charging points across more than 100 locations, making long-distance travel in a Tesla feasible for most drivers. Going further is equally accessible, with over 12,000 Superchargers in

Weight and size

The all-new single-motor Model 3 weighs 1,760 kg (3,880 lb). The dual-motor variant comes in at 1,823 kg (4,019 lb), according to CarNewsChina, citing the Asian country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Those numbers tell us that the facelift car is 18 lb heavier than the outgoing unit, while the all-wheel-drive EV is 15 lb lighter. There’s not much difference between the 2024 and 2023 model-year vehicles weight-wise. Plus, we must consider various industry practices that differ between the US and China. The North American figures might not be the same.

Batteries

The same source says the single-motor 2024 Tesla Model 3 will have a CATL-sourced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery (less energy dense but more durable), while the dual-motor sedan will have a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) energy storage unit.

Finally, the Model 3+ (aka Model 3 Long Range) is 26 mm (one inch) longer, 1 mm shorter (0.03 in), and 2 mm (0.07 in) narrower than the outgoing model. The wheelbase size has not changed.

Buying a Tesla Model 3 in the UK: Range and Specifications

Tesla’s UK range includes two models, with pricing (as of October 2023) ranging from just under £40k to nearly £50k.

Your interior colour options are either the standard vegan leather in black or, for an additional £1000, you can have them trimmed in white.

Wheel choice is 19’’ Nova Wheels at £1,500, which look better but knock 26 miles from the certified range.

Verdict: Setting the Standard

With the 2024 Project Highland updates, the Model 3 stands out in the mid-sized EV market.

While concerns about customer service still exist, Tesla’s substantial investments in the UK aim to provide better support for owners. With a starting price of under £40k and attractive leasing options, the Model 3 continues to raise the bar for electric vehicles and challenge traditional automakers.

Specifications for the Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive (2024):

• Price when new: £39,990
• On sale in the UK: Now
• Engine: 245bhp via a single e-motor
• Transmission: Single-speed transmission, rear-wheel drive
• Performance: 5.8sec 0-60mph, 125mph, 344-mile range WLTP
• Weight/Material: 1765kg/steel and aluminium
• Dimensions (length/width/height in mm): 4719/1933/1440mm

If you order yours here, Tesla has given us a referral code to give you money off, and we get points to buy the kid’s Tesla teeshirts for Christmas. Thanks for reading

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