2026 Tesla Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD review

No electric vehicle (EV) puts the long range in Long Range like the Tesla Model 3.

Launched late last year, the current iteration of Tesla's endurance king can travel a claimed 750km on a single charge – further than any other EV currently on sale.

Need another reason to swap into Elon Musk's latest creation? The MY26 Model 3 also picks up the option of full self-driving capability and Grok AI – a new, more conversational voice assistant.

And, at $61,900 before on-road costs, the Premium Long Range RWD is actually $3000 cheaper than its predecessor.

Is that enough for it to remain the pick of an increasingly competitive mid-size electric sedan field? Read on to find out.

How much does the Tesla Model 3 cost?

Model 3 pricing has remained relatively stable over the past few years, despite the arrival of several new electrified sedan and liftback competitors.

On that topic, like-for-like alternatives to this Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD include the Kia EV4 Long Range ($59,190-64,690 before on-road costs), Mazda 6e Atenza ($52,990 before ORCs), BYD Seal Premium/Performance ($52,990-61,990 before ORCs), and MG IM5 Platinum ($69,990 drive-away).

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 also fits the bill, but isn't currently available to order in Australia as we wait for the facelifted version due later this year.

If electric power isn't a must, the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Skoda Octavia, MG7, and Hyundai Sonata are all priced in a similar ballpark and worthy of consideration.

While the mid-spec Model 3 on test here starts at $61,900 before on-roads, the Marine Blue paint adorning our test car incurs an extra $1500 outlay, and you'll need to spend a further $149 per month to access Tesla's FSD (Supervised) autonomous driving tech.

To see how the Tesla Model 3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Tesla Model 3 like on the inside?

It's easy to be distracted by that big central screen, but there's a lot more to the Model 3 than transcendent tech.

Having not spent much time in Teslas previously, I was initially struck by how premium the cabin felt for a car at this price point, grey headliner aside.

The inside of the Model 3 is decked out in soft-touch materials, with a mix of fabrics, synthetic leather and microfibre covering every panel you're likely to come into contact with. Even the storage spaces are carpet-lined, which stops loose items from rattling around.

That's the level of attention to detail you expect from European automakers, not necessarily a mainstream brand like Tesla.

The driving position is another case in point. I'm not sure I can explain precisely why, but the Model 3 offers one of the most natural setups going around – it truly feels like you're part of the car rather than a separate entity, and that elevates the overall driving experience.

As does the driver's seat itself, which is well equipped to handle the varying demands of driving in Australia, with three levels of heating and ventilation. Both the seat base and backrest are wide enough to accommodate most body types, there's ample headroom, and electric adjustability (including lumbar) is standard across the Model 3 range.

Similarly, the Model 3's steering wheel is fit for the masses. It's conventionally circular and smaller than most, so just about anyone can comfortably wrap their hands around it (take note, BMW). Two-stage heating also ensures the tiller is pleasant to command on the cold winter days we're currently experiencing in Melbourne.

Cabin climate preconditioning via the Tesla app likewise helps fight off the winter blues.

Before we delve into the inevitable tech discussion, cabin storage is another unexpected highlight of the Model 3.

Most items you'd reasonably want to keep up front can easily be stowed in one of two seemingly bottomless centre console compartments, split by a set of cupholders that'll each swallow a large takeaway coffee or 600ml bottle. Damped sliding lid panels that hide your valuables from prying eyes are a thoughtful inclusion.

Dual 65W wireless charging pads, wide door bins, and a screen-operated glovebox round out the list of storage options.

That conveniently brings us to, well, the screen, which serves as the control centre of the Model 3.

We say that about a lot of vehicles these days, but it's most applicable here, given Tesla's latest 15.4-inch touchscreen incorporates infotainment, driver display, head-up display, and gear selector functions.

It does the infotainment side of things quite well. Spotify, YouTube Music and Zoom feature among the native apps, while arcade games and internet browsing give you something to do when parked. First-time Tesla owners will also find value in the digital owner's manual, complete with handy video tutorials.

However, the Model 3 still doesn’t support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – a source of frustration for this Waze loyalist, and a potential deal-breaker for those accustomed to the other benefits of smartphone mirroring.

With that said, my frustrations eased after interacting with Tesla’s native sat-nav system, which is user-friendly and uses live traffic data for accurate journey planning. Courtesy of a recent update, you can now seek help from Grok, a witty AI voice assistant we found capable of answering basic navigation queries, tackling trickier tasks like distinguishing between different types of car wash facilities, and delivering top-tier dad jokes.

Whether you're surfing the web, queueing tracks, or pinning a destination, the screen impresses with its resolution and responsiveness.

I just wish it was supplemented by more traditional controls.

Sure, you get buttons and rollers on the steering wheel for basic audio, cruise, and vehicle functions. But beyond that, everything is screen-controlled, including gear selection – swipe up for drive, tap/hold for park, and swipe down for reverse – which is fun until you're forced to stop, look at the screen, and swipe while attempting a quick parking manoeuvre or three-point turn. Then it's just annoying. The alternative? Equally inconvenient overhead touch controls.

There's no instrument cluster or head-up display, either, so a quick speedo check requires a leftward glance. Again, annoying.

Then you’ve got more common, yet no less grating, examples of unnecessary digitalisation, with the climate controls – including seat heating and ventilation – plus mirror adjustment, steering wheel adjustment, and even the glovebox release all buried in the touchscreen.

And it's not like they're all easy to find, as Tesla's interface is teeming with menus and submenus – the price of such expansive functionality.

Technology is also a talking point in the second row, as the Model 3 is relatively unique in offering rear-seat entertainment through a console-mounted 8.0-inch touchscreen.

The slick-looking system houses climate functions, apps including Netflix, Twitch and YouTube, and a small selection of games to keep kiddies happy. It also supports Bluetooth for two headsets, so whatever's being played won't be heard up front.

That's great and all, but my pragmatic side is a little underwhelmed by the lack of kneeroom in the second row. There’s not much space for adult feet to slide under the front seats, either.

Headroom is less of an issue, as only those topping six-four are likely to graze the glass roof panel overhead, which itself gives the space a light, airy feel. Better to have a long torso than long legs, then.

Regardless, two adults or three children can happily co-exist in the back.

In terms of actual comfort, the rear bench seats are on the narrow side, and there's not a whole lot of under-thigh support. Outboard seat heating is there to keep passengers warm through winter, though.

Other welcome amenities include two USB-C outlets, a fold-down centre armrest with integrated cupholders, map pockets, and generous carpeted door bins.

The Model 3's credentials as a family car are bolstered by its storage capacity, which totals a healthy 682 litres across both the rear boot and 'frunk'.

Should you ever need more space – as I did when ferrying items to and from a market stall – there's a deep cubby under the boot floor and the rear bench folds near-flat, unlocking additional storage.

As is the case for most EVs, particularly at this price point, a tyre repair kit is all you have in the event of a puncture.

To see how the Tesla Model 3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What's under the bonnet?

As tested, this Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD with 18-inch wheels offers the longest claimed range of any EV you can buy in Australia right now.

To see how the Tesla Model 3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Tesla Model 3 drive?

Can we stop arguing about FSD and Mr Musk for a moment, and appreciate just how well this oft-maligned EV drives?

Tesla has long set the standard for battery range and performance, but the Model 3 is more than just an efficient appliance now; it's a cohesive and rewarding car to steer.

You can chalk this evolution down to the 2024 'Highland' update, which brought a softer suspension setup, revised steering ratios, and quieter acoustic glass, among other changes.

As a result, there's an assuredness to how the Model 3 behaves on the road.

Steering requires some effort, enhancing your sense of control at higher speeds, yet the variable-ratio rack is also able to loosen up during tighter, low-speed turns and parking manoeuvres.

The Long Range powertrain is similarly flexible.

Stuck in traffic? Lightly lean on the throttle for smooth, silent acceleration and enviable efficiency, which is partly attributable to an equally smooth and intuitive regenerative braking system.

But what if you need to blast down an on-ramp? Press the right pedal firmly for straight-line performance that makes the Model 3 Performance seem superfluous, paired with a unique, high-pitched motor whine.

Frequency Selective Damping and softer springs have also gone a long way to improving ride comfort. We still wouldn't call the Model 3 cushy, as it tends to thump over highway road-joins and larger speed bumps, but it doesn't make a smooth road feel rough like some sporty sedans do.

Nor does it suffer from a lack of ground clearance. I deal with not one but two steep driveways on a regular basis, and the Model 3 passes the scrape test – one that even some SUVs fail – with flying colours!

However, at the same time, the Model 3 handles every bit like a sports sedan, displaying solid body control and an abundance of mechanical grip when driven enthusiastically. Talk about confidence-inspiring.

Having said that, the absence of all-wheel drive is telling in wet conditions, with our test car struggling to put its power down effectively from a standstill. That alone doesn't justify spending an extra $19,000 on the AWD Model 3 Performance, though.

Regardless of the variant, the Model 3 makes for a relaxing long-distance cruiser, despite its sporty chassis. Acoustic glass and quiet tyres ensure noise is never an issue, and all variants are equipped with a highly advanced adaptive cruise control system.

The same is true of several other sedans, but this Tesla sets itself apart with a game-changing semi-autonomous driving system that's capable of point-to-point travel, no intervention required. Set a destination and FSD (Supervised)-equipped Teslas will take you there, provided you're willing to put up with some questionable lane changes and speed fluctuations on the motorway.

Signing up for a FSD (Supervised) subscription also unlocks a surprisingly effective automated parking function – a lifesaver if you dread parallel or even reverse parking.

Thankfully, the Model 3 doesn’t lock all of its smarts behind a costly subscription. Its dynamic indicators, for example, cancel themselves automatically after a lane change.

And most of the safety systems are discerning in how they intervene, rarely chiming unless there's a genuine danger.

The least intelligent aspect of the Model 3 as a driving tool is probably its aforementioned screen-based gear selector.

Tesla has tried to address this by launching Autoshift, an AI-powered feature that uses the vehicle's surroundings, GPS data and driver inputs to predict gear changes, but it's a solution to a problem that needn't have existed in the first place.

To see how the Tesla Model 3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

The Model 3 hasn't changed a whole lot since its most recent facelift for MY24, although the sedan has picked up Grok – a new, more conversational AI voice assistant.

2026 Tesla Model 3 RWD equipment highlights:

• 18-inch ‘Photon’ alloy wheels
• LED headlights with integrated fog lights
• Acoustic glass
• 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Grok AI assistant
• Satellite navigation
• Black interior
• Ventilated front seats
• Ambient lighting
• 8.0-inch rear touchscreen with climate, entertainment controls
• 9-speaker sound system
• Dual 65W wireless phone chargers
• Panoramic glass roof
• App connectivity
• Dog Mode – maintains cabin temperature
• Camp Mode – maintains cabin temperature, keeps entertainment system on overnight
• Sentry Mode – monitors vehicle, notifies you of potential threats

Performance adds:

• Sports seats
• Adaptive suspension
• High-performance brakes
• 20-inch forged wheels
• Track mode V3
• Carbon-fibre interior and exterior trim

To see how the Tesla Model 3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Tesla Model 3 safe?

The updated Model 3 carries over the five-star ANCAP safety rating achieved by the original in 2019.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• 7 airbags – dual frontal, side chest, side head, centre
• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keep assist
• Active collision avoidance
• Parking sensors – front, rear
• Reversing camera
• Sentry Mode

FSD (Supervised) can be added for $149 per month.

To see how the Tesla Model 3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Tesla Model 3 cost to run?

Tesla backs the Model 3 with a four-year, 80,000km warranty – with a separate eight-year, 192,000km warranty for the long-range battery and drive unit.

Tesla recommends having the air-conditioning filters changed every two years, as well as rotating the tyres and checking wheel balance every 20,000km.

The Model 3 will also need to have its brake fluid checked every two years, and its pads and discs checked every 12 months in colder climates.

To see how the Tesla Model 3 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert's Take on the Tesla Model 3 Premium Long Range RWD

Now approaching its 10th birthday, the Model 3 still represents the benchmark for all EVs, especially in Long Range guise.

It's quick, hugely efficient, comfortable, dynamic, practical, safe, laden with futuristic tech, relatively affordable, and has more runs on the board than Don Bradman.

The Model 3 also carries with it the benefits of Tesla ownership, namely low running costs and access to an expansive, reliable public charging network.

So, what's not to love? Well, the badge may prove problematic if you oppose Elon Musk's divisive politics, and the Model 3's steep-ish learning curve won't be for everyone.

But beyond those caveats, there are very few reasons to look past the Model 3 if you’re shopping for a sedan in this price bracket, electric or otherwise, in 2026.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Tesla Model 3. Click here to get a great deal.

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