Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Tesla Model 3 - Interior, design and technology

The Tesla Model 3 has a minimalist design, but the loss of stalks for major controls is infuriating at times

Interior, design and technology rating

4.0

How we review cars
RRP
£39,055 £59,645
Find your Tesla Model 3
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Tesla Model 3 is probably not the most attractive car on the road, but we think it still manages to look upmarket without appearing overly flashy. The facelifted Model 3, with its slightly sharper front end, may well draw a few more admiring glances than the original. The latest Model 3 also gets a thinner set of headlights, while at the rear, there are C-shaped tail-lights, ‘Tesla’ badging across the bootlid, and a reprofiled bumper.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Those looking for a more aggressive-looking Model 3 should take a look at the high-performance, erm, Performance model. It’s got a big splitter and larger air intake in the front bumper, a carbon-fibre rear spoiler, a tweaked rear bumper, and forged 20-inch alloys to set it apart from the rest of the range.

The Model 3 sits on what’s known as a ‘skateboard’ chassis, with the drivetrain and batteries mounted as low in the car as possible. This creates more interior space than similarly-sized combustion-engine cars and decent storage areas at both the front and rear. 

Ordering a Tesla Model 3 is an incredibly simple task: just pick which version you want, then the paint (Ultra Red looks good, but is an eye-watering £2000), the interior colour, and finally, which set of wheels you want. You can also add a tow hitch, or one of two upgraded versions of Tesla’s Autopilot driver-assistance system, but that’s your lot. Where the alternatives tend to have complex options lists, Tesla gives you most of it as standard.

What is the Tesla Model 3 like inside?

Take a seat inside, and the Model 3’s relatively conservative exterior is contrasted by a fastidiously minimalist interior. Tesla says the cabin of the all-electric saloon was ‘fully redesigned’ as part of its facelift, although it doesn’t look all that different from the original version to us. It’s still almost entirely dominated by a central 15.4-inch infotainment screen that controls all major (and minor) functions, and displays your speed and other vital driving information, while the air vents are tucked away neatly behind an otherwise plain dashboard. 

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Model 3

2023 Tesla

Model 3

26,427 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £21,500
View Model 3
Model 3

2023 Tesla

Model 3

24,259 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £22,500
View Model 3
Model 3

2023 Tesla

Model 3

69,080 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £18,200
View Model 3
Model 3

2023 Tesla

Model 3

52,073 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £19,103
View Model 3

That giant display now has more usable space due to a thinner bezel, the front and rear seats are now ventilated and heated as standard, plus there’s ambient lighting along the top of the dash and doors. 

One very obvious change is the steering wheel, which features buttons for the indicators in place of the traditional steering column stalks. For what reason? We’re not sure, and when we tested the setup ourselves, we found it was frustrating in certain situations, like when exiting roundabouts, or when you have to activate the indicators when the steering wheel isn’t in the straight-ahead position. It seems that Tesla might be admitting defeat on that front because the updated Tesla Model Y retains its indicator stalks, so hopefully, this will come back to the Model 3.

The updated Model 3 also ditches the gear selector stalk, using the central screen for gear selection instead, or preemptively putting you in the gear it thinks you’ll need, such as engaging reverse if the nose of the car is facing a wall. 

We wish there were some physical buttons for the climate controls rather than Tesla forcing you to use the touchscreen to adjust everything from the heated and cooled seats to the direction of the airflow. At least those in the back no longer have to ask someone up front to adjust the temperature, as Tesla has added a small screen that gives them access to the rear climate controls. If passengers connect some Bluetooth headphones, it can also be used to watch YouTube and stream music on the move. 

What is the interior quality like? 

Tesla has worked on the Model 3’s interior quality as part of the facelift, and we’re pleased to say there’s been a marked improvement inside. The interior doesn’t feel quite as solid as the flawless cabin of the BMW i4, but it’s more on par with the other premium EVs it counts as rivals.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Tesla often has the feel of a tech firm first and a car company second, and the Model 3’s super-slick infotainment setup is at the cutting edge of what you’ll find in modern cars today. 

The 15.4-inch touchscreen has the processing power to match its hi-res graphics. Loading times when plotting a route are rapid, and there’s minimal latency when responding to touches, pinches and swipes. Its precision with those inputs is impressive, too.

Roughly a third of the screen is reserved for driving information. Some will prefer to have a readout in front of them on a separate screen, but the numbers are large, so they’re not that hard to spot out of the corner of your eye.

There's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support, with Tesla preferring to use its own method of smartphone integration. We had no problems with Tesla's on-board system, however, and the sat-nav system is particularly impressive with its ability to plot charging spots on route, and also communicate with the car to tell it to prepare the battery to accept its maximum charging rate as soon as you plug in – something many rivals struggle with.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    RWD 4dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £39,055
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    Long Range RWD 4dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £44,055
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    Performance AWD 4dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £59,645
Select car
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

New & used car deals

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3

RRP £39,990Used from £12,798
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £31,499
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,233 off RRP*Used from £15,297
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025