Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is a five-seat electric sports sedan currently offered in Malaysia in four variants: Standard Rear-Wheel Drive at RM149,000, Premium Rear-Wheel Drive at RM171,000, Premium Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive at RM187,000 and Performance All-Wheel Drive at RM232,000. The previous Long Range AWD has been discontinued from the local line-up.

Driving range spans from 520 KM to 750 KM, while acceleration ranges from 6.2 seconds in the Standard RWD to 3.1 seconds in the Performance AWD. The basic vehicle warranty is four years or 80,000 KM. Battery and drive-unit coverage is eight years or 160,000 KM for the Standard and Premium RWD, or eight years or 192,000 KM for the Long Range RWD and Performance AWD. 

The minimalist dashboard is centred around a 15.4-inch touchscreen that manages most vehicle functions. Premium variants receive wraparound ambient lighting and upgraded trim, while the Standard uses simpler textile inserts without the coloured lighting strip.

The Model 3 does not have a conventional driver instrument cluster or head-up display. Speed, navigation, range and driver-assistance information are displayed on the driver’s side of the central touchscreen.

The Standard receives textile and synthetic-leather seating with heated front seats, but omits ventilation and rear-seat heating. Premium variants add heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and additional powered adjustments, while the Performance receives more heavily bolstered sports seats. 

The five-seat cabin offers generous front legroom and a mostly flat rear floor. Rear knee room is suitable for adults, although the sedan roofline provides less rear headroom and easier entry than taller electric SUVs.

The multifunction steering wheel provides controls for media, voice commands, driver assistance and vehicle settings. The Standard uses manual steering-column adjustment, while Premium variants provide powered adjustment linked to the driver profile. 

Storage areas include large door pockets, a glovebox, centre-console compartments and a deep compartment beneath the front armrest. Additional luggage storage is provided beneath the rear boot floor and inside the front boot.

Two cup holders are positioned within the front centre console. Rear occupants receive another two within the folding centre armrest, together with bottle storage inside the doors.

USB-C charging connections are provided for mobile devices, together with two wireless charging pads for the front occupants. The Performance and Premium variants also provide an eight-inch rear touchscreen for controlling selected entertainment and climate functions.

The rear luggage compartment provides approximately 594 litres, while the front boot contributes another 88 litres. Tesla quotes a total cargo capacity of 682 litres with five occupants, providing useful storage despite the conventional sedan boot opening. 

The Model 3 measures 4,720 MM long, 1,850 MM wide excluding mirrors and 1,441 MM tall, with a 2,875-MM wheelbase. Width increases to 1,933 MM with the mirrors folded and 2,089 MM when extended, while ground clearance is approximately 138 MM. 

The refreshed Highland design features a low grille-less nose, slim headlamps and a clean lower bumper. Its smooth bonnet and narrow frontal profile contribute to the Model 3’s aerodynamic and understated appearance.

The rear features C-shaped lighting elements, an integrated boot-lid spoiler and widely spaced Tesla lettering. The Performance receives a carbon-fibre spoiler and more aggressive lower diffuser to improve high-speed stability.

Slim adaptive LED headlamps provide automatic illumination and high-beam operation. Their narrow design gives the Model 3 a sharper appearance than the previous-generation version.

Full-LED tail lamps use a distinctive C-shaped graphic that extends onto the boot lid. LED brake lamps and a high-mounted stop lamp provide clear rearward visibility.

The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable and power-folding on most variants. The entry-level Standard omits automatic dimming, while camera-based blind-spot monitoring can display surrounding traffic on the central screen.

Standard variants use four-wheel disc brakes supported by regenerative braking, ABS and electronic stability control. The Performance upgrades to larger brake rotors, performance pads and red brake calipers for greater resistance to repeated hard braking. 

The Standard RWD receives 18-inch Prismata wheels, while the Premium rear-wheel-drive variants use 18-inch Photon wheels with optional 19-inch Nova wheels. The Performance rides on staggered 20-inch Warp wheels with wider performance tyres. 

Active-safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, electronic stability control and tyre-pressure monitoring.

The Model 3 is equipped with front, front-side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags. ISOFIX child-seat mounting points, five three-point seatbelts and seatbelt reminders are also provided. 

Rear-wheel-drive variants provide Chill and Standard acceleration settings. The Performance additionally receives configurable performance settings and Track Mode, which adjusts power distribution, stability control, regenerative braking and adaptive suspension behaviour. 

The 15.4-inch touchscreen controls navigation, media, climate, charging and most vehicle settings. Premium variants include an eight-inch rear screen, while the Standard replaces it with manually adjustable rear vents. Over-the-air software updates add or improve selected functions, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are unavailable. 

The Standard receives a seven-speaker system, while the Premium RWD and Premium Long Range RWD use nine speakers. The Performance upgrades to a more powerful premium audio arrangement with additional speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers. 

The Standard RWD and Premium RWD use a single rear motor producing a reported 279 HP and 420 NM. The Premium Long Range RWD increases output to approximately 315 HP and 450 NM, while the dual-motor Performance produces 460 HP and 723 NM.

All variants use single-speed electric reduction gearing. Power is delivered immediately without the conventional gear changes found in combustion-powered sedans.

The Standard, Premium RWD and Premium Long Range RWD send power to the rear wheels. The Performance uses one motor on each axle to create an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system. 

The Standard RWD accelerates from 0 to 100 KM/H in 6.2 seconds, followed by 6.1 seconds for the Premium RWD and 5.2 seconds for the Premium Long Range RWD. The Performance completes the sprint in just 3.1 seconds. 

The Standard RWD provides up to 534 KM of stated range, while the Premium RWD offers 520 KM. The Premium Long Range RWD is the range leader at 750 KM, while the Performance delivers up to 571 KM despite its greater power and all-wheel drive.

The Standard and Premium RWD support up to approximately 170-KW DC charging, while the Long Range and Performance variants reach 250 KW. Under suitable conditions, Tesla states that substantial driving range can be added within 15 minutes at a compatible Supercharger.

Convenience features include phone-key access, remote controls through the Tesla application, a powered boot lid, wireless charging and a full-length glass roof. Camp Mode, Pet Mode and Sentry Mode provide additional climate, security and parked-vehicle functions.

Rear air-conditioning vents are provided across the range. Premium variants add an eight-inch touchscreen for rear climate and entertainment control, while the Standard uses manually adjustable vents without the secondary screen. 

The Standard uses conventional passive dampers, while Premium rear-wheel-drive variants receive frequency-dependent shock absorbers for improved ride comfort and control. The Performance uses an adaptive damping system that can vary suspension behaviour for daily driving or Track Mode.

Premium variants use acoustic glass and additional cabin insulation to reduce wind and road noise. The Standard omits some of these upgrades, making tyre and outside noise slightly more noticeable at highway speeds. 

The Tesla Model 3 offers an unusually wide selection within one body style. The RM149,000 Standard provides the most affordable entry point, while the RM187,000 Premium Long Range RWD combines stronger performance with an impressive 750-KM stated range. The RM232,000 Performance is aimed at buyers seeking sports-car acceleration and sharper handling.

Its efficient powertrain, spacious cabin, strong charging network and regularly updated software remain major advantages. However, the absence of a driver instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto may not suit everyone, while the Standard sacrifices several comfort and cabin features to reach its lower price.