New Model 3 Performance test drive: Better ride and value, from insane to chill

The new Model 3 Performance – finally launched months after the refresh of the RWD and long range models – is an impressive upgrade over the outgoing model with significantly better ride and handling, more consistent acceleration and all of the improvements found throughout the Model 3 refresh. 

With adaptive damping and Sport Seats that are just as luxurious and comfortable as other Model 3 variants, there aren’t really any compromises for daily driveability either. There is an extremely quiet cabin and – whether you like it or not – this includes the stalkless steering wheel too.

Given the recent price reduction to $80,900 plus on-road costs, its cheaper than the previous Model 3 Performance and also represents good value compared to performance focused EVs from brands like Kia, Hyundai and Ford which all cost over $100,000 driveaway.

If you don’t need the height of an SUV, the Model 3 stores more luggage than other performance electric SUVs too.

Table of contents

1. Model 3 Performance upgrades
2. Continual software improvements
3. 3 acceleration modes are better than 2
4. Improved ride and handling with adaptive damping
5. All while being efficient
6. Table of key specifications

Model 3 Performance upgrades

The Model 3 Performance is $16,000 more than an equivalent Long Range All-Wheel Drive variant, but there is now a longer list of upgrades included which helps to justify the step up compared to previous models.

Starting on the inside, there are Sport Seats which give drivers and front passengers significant bolstering and side support compared to the standard seats. I found these seats were just as comfortable as the regular Model 3 seats and keep you snug and firmly in place while cornering.

Tesla’s Sport Seats are still heated, ventilated and electronically adjusted like other Model 3 variants, rear seat passengers do miss out on map pockets though. Other interior changes include metal sport pedals that replace standard rubber pedals and a carbon fibre section featured across the dash above the air vent.

Several aerodynamic improvements are clearly visible on the outside of the Model 3 Performance, including a carbon fibre rear spoiler, new front and rear fascias, front splitter and a rear diffuser. According to Tesla these elements provide better end-to-end airflow, reduce drag and improve front-to-rear lift balance.

Wheels on the new Model 3 Performance are 20 inches in diameter like the previous model, although they are now staggered with 235/35 profile tyres on the front and 275/30 on the rear for better traction out of corners. The forged performance wheels are fitted with Pirelli P Zero 4 tyres which feature lower rolling resistance for better range.  

Model 3 Performance suspension uses an all-new adaptive damping system, Standard and Sport modes are selectable during normal driving. A third focused track suspension calibration is automatically enabled when track mode is selected. Tesla also has the ability to update and adjust this adaptive damping system via future over the air updates.

Besides minor user interface changes for controlling the adaptive damping and acceleration settings, the new Model 3 Performance features Tesla’s Track Mode V3. Unfortunately this wasn’t showing up on the car I test drove, possibly due to the car being in some weird delivery status.

Track Mode V3 features similar adjustments to V2 (see below) for controlling the balance of power between front and rear motors, with simplified controls for stability assist as well as improved graphics with more detailed information available regarding component temperatures.

Last of all the Model 3 Performance features Tesla’s latest generation performance drive unit, named Performance 4DU. Figures from Tesla claim this unit delivers 22 % more continuous power, 32 % more peak power and 16 % more torque. 

Exact power figures for the previous Model 3 Performance are hard to pinpoint as Tesla doesn’t advertise them. However, Tesla states 343 kW peak power in the new Performance and torque is estimated at 741 Nm compared to 660 Nm previously. Balance is also more rear focused than before due to improved figures from the new Performance 4DU.

Continual software improvements

Tesla has a reputation for constantly updating and improving their vehicle software via over the air updates. Compared to the Model 3 refresh I tested 6 months ago there were several changes I noticed. While in park, the vehicle on screen is now much bigger and looks great including the reflection of the car underneath. 

The Full Self-Driving (FSD) visualisation preview also shows more detail than before such as the indicators and brake lights of the cars around you. Hopefully these things are a sign that Tesla’s FSD software will be coming to Australian cars at some point.

I no longer had any false proximity alerts when parking near kerbs or taking off from traffic lights, something which happened often during my first drive in the Model 3 refresh in November last year. 

Most of these updates will also be coming to existing Tesla vehicles via the 2024.14 software update, with the exception of the full screen car while parked, which older Model 3 equipped with Intel-based infotainment computers miss out on.

3 acceleration modes are better than 2

Acceleration in the new Model 3 Performance can be set to either Chill, Standard or Insane compared to just Chill and Sport in my old Model 3 Performance. The middle Standard setting is a nice compromise for when Chill feels too slow but you don’t need maximum acceleration.

Tesla took inspiration from the Spaceballs movie when naming their acceleration settings, so Insane on the Model 3 performance indicates it is below Ludicrous and Plaid modes that are found on quicker Model S Performance and Plaid vehicles. 

Insane feels like an apt description for the acceleration in the Model 3 Performance, it features the instantaneous response that Tesla performance cars are well known for. Nobody ever really needs to accelerate that fast, but it does bring a smile to your face.

There isn’t a huge difference in acceleration from a standstill compared to my old Model 3 Performance, although the new Performance feels more consistent in power delivery without any drop off as your speed approaches triple digits. 

As for the figures, Tesla advertises a 0-100 km/h time of 3.1 seconds with 1-foot rollout subtracted, so it’s more likely around 3.3 seconds if measured from a standstill. This is enough to make the Model 3 Performance the quickest EV on sale apart from all-wheel drive versions of the Porsche Taycan and top-spec Lotus Eletre R which are 2-3 times the price.

Improved ride and handling with adaptive damping

One of the biggest improvements in the refreshed Model 3 is the ride and handling, which Tesla has taken another step further in the new Performance variant with an adaptive damping system. In the Standard setting the car feels noticeably softer and more comfortable over bumps, similar to the suspension in other Model 3 refresh variants.

With ride and handling set to Sport, the Model 3 Performance feels more glued to the road with sharper response and it settles down more quickly after bumps. The suspension is still not harsh in the Sport setting, though you do feel the bumps more which is expected. If you want to switch modes often, you can assign a shortcut via the left-hand scroll wheel.

Overall, the adaptive damping suspension, wider rear tyres and improved handling allow the new Model 3 Performance to take advantage of the increased torque available from the new performance rear drive unit, especially while cornering.

Handling was a slight weakness of the old Model 3 Performance, but in my opinion the new Model 3 Performance has been elevated to a similar level as the best handling EVs like the Kia EV6 GT, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Polestar 2 dual motor with Performance Pack. It would take a professional driver and a race track to really tease them apart.

All while being efficient

Amazingly, all of this performance does not necessarily come at the expense of efficiency. Tesla’s experience making electric vehicles for over 10 years really shows via how efficient the Model 3 Performance is. Around town I observed 169 Wh/km and on a highway run it was 173 Wh/km, or 16.9 kWh/100 km and 17.3 kWh/100 km respectively.

Both of these figures would certainly be lower if I was driving normally instead of testing acceleration, braking and cornering performance. For comparison, other performance EVs I have tested on the same roads return figures between 19-21 kWh/100 km.

Table of key specifications