The Model 3 has been in production since 2017 and has been officially available in Europe since 2019. During this time, the mid-range car has set several sales records, but there was only one facelift at the end of 2020.
Now, however, further improvements have been introduced: The revised Tesla Model 3 2024 was unveiled at the end of August 2023 and is internally known as the Tesla Model 3 Highland.
Read all about the new Model 3 facelift and the differences to the predecessor model here.
Tesla Model 3 Highland: The logical step for Tesla
With the facelift, Tesla is taking an important step to ensure the success of the mid-range car in the coming years. Although the Model 3 is still a bestseller and has even made it into the top 20 best-selling cars of all drive types, the competition never sleeps.
The range of e-cars on offer is greater than ever and new innovations, trends and improvements are constantly coming onto the market. So it only makes sense to spice up a car with a basic design from 2018 and adapt it to current trends. Tesla is following this idea with the Highland model.
The first of these vehicles are already on the roads of Europe and should be easy to recognize - because the changes included in the facelift are not just technical, but also visual.
Tesla has placed a particular focus on increasing driving comfort and further improving efficiency. The digital offering in the interior has also been expanded.
By the way: While the Highland model has been available in Europe for several months, it only arrived on the 10th. January 2024 in the North American configurators. Among other things, this also shows how important the European market has become for Tesla.
Tesla Model 3 2024: What's new and different
The Tesla Model 3 facelift 2024 is intended to bring the bestseller up to date and make it fit for the coming years. Tesla claims to have replaced or modified 50 percent of all vehicle parts. As this is difficult to verify, we want to focus on the changes that are actually visible and tangible. So let's start with the visual innovations!
2024 Tesla Model 3: New headlights, new rear end
The most striking design change is probably at the front end of the Model 3: the headlights are much narrower and longer than before, which makes the car appear somewhat more aggressive.
In addition, some air intakes and the fog lights in the front apron have been removed, which is now smoother and tidier. Only an air intake below the license plate has remained; it is not quite possible without it.
Furthermore, the few lines of the vehicle contour are even sharper than before, which contributes to an extremely clean look - the English would say either "very sleek" or "super smooth". This all improves the cw value, which drops from 0.23 to 0.219. This makes the Model 3 the most aerodynamic of all Teslas in terms of overall surface area and further reduces its fuel consumption; but more on that later.
Also a direct eye-catcher: the new rear. Whereas previous models had to buy a lettering sticker to have the iconic word on the back, the Highland now features the word "TESLA" as standard.
The lights have also been changed here; they are now completely connected to the trunk lid as a single, "C">shaped piece. Previously, the rear lights were split in two and only half of them moved with the trunk lid.
Like the front apron, the rear bumper has also been given a new design. The black plastic part now extends further upwards and the reflectors are integrated into it instead of standing alone as before.
In addition, the Tesla Model 3 Facelift 2024 will feature two new colors that we already know from the Model S and Model X - Ultra Red and Stealth Grey - and the wheel design has also been revised. All these measures help to clearly distinguish the "new" Model 3 from the "old" without losing its unique identity.
However, if you have a yardstick to hand, you can tell the difference even without knowing the visual changes: at 4.72 meters, the Highland model is just 2.5 centimeters longer than its predecessor. However, the wheelbase, which is decisive for the available space in the interior, has not changed.
Tesla Model 3 Highland Interior
The visual innovations continue in the interior. It quickly becomes apparent that there are no more levers on the steering column - the steering is now controlled by a touch-sensitive button on the steering wheel. The windshield wiper has also been moved to the steering wheel as a semi-physical button, together with a button for activating the surroundings cameras. Freely programmable buttons are no longer available in the Highland.
For some, the elimination of levers may be good news, for others not. In any case, Tesla's design language of maximum minimalization is thus consistently continued.
A ray of hope for all opponents of this approach: The horn moves to the center on the airbag, where it can be operated quickly and easily and where it is also located on almost every other car. The steering wheel itself remains round, there is no yoke or anything similar in sight.
Further changes can be found on the dashboard: this is now surrounded by an ambient LED strip that runs along the windshield and extends into the doors. This gives the cockpit a futuristic look. As you would expect, the color of the LED strip can be changed at any time.
In the course of the facelift, the wooden look that previously adorned the dashboard of the Model Y has also disappeared in favor of a cloth-like panel that looks more modern, youthful and technical than its predecessor. If Tesla now masters autonomous driving and can dispense with the steering wheel, the cockpit will be nothing more than a stylish background for the prominently placed display.
For those who want to upgrade their new car even further, our Tesla Model 3 Highland accessories offer numerous useful additions.
Changes to the rear seat bench
However, Tesla is not only making some improvements to the cockpit, but also to the rear. Particularly practical for families: the rear seats now also have a display that is embedded in the back of the center console - similar to the one found in the Model S and Model X.
This 8-inch display can be used to adjust the air conditioning, select music and, of course, watch movies and play games. Perfect for Tesla drivers with children on long vacation trips.
Another new feature on the rear bench seat: the seats are now a little further away from the floor and better upholstered, which should make sitting in them much more comfortable. Previously, some customers and automotive journalists had made negative comments about the rear seat bench, which was mounted very close to the floor and forced passengers to sit in an uncomfortable position.
To some extent, this problem is unavoidable given the battery's high floor and sloping roofline, but Tesla seems to have found a way to make at least a small improvement.
Technical changes and new materials
Numerous innovations in the Model 3 Highland also affect the hardware and the materials used, with a particular focus on noise reduction. Too much wind noise was one of the main criticisms of the Highland's predecessor, which Tesla has now addressed with various measures.
For example, there are double-glazed windows all round (previously only the windscreens and the two front windows were fitted with acoustic glass), and the interior materials were also selected on the basis of their ability to absorb noise. According to Tesla, the general quality of the materials used has also been increased.
The new Model 3 is also quieter thanks to specially developed tyres, which reduce rolling noise and are also designed to increase efficiency. Unfortunately, the new tires affect the top speed, which drops from 225 or 233 km/h to 201 km/h.
In addition to noise reduction, the new tires should also contribute to a more comfortable driving experience, as they have better suspension than before. To improve even further in this area, Tesla has also redesigned the entire suspension, with new springs and dampers as well as new geometry and revised suspension points.
Technical innovation in the interior
In the interior, there are no immediately noticeable technical changes, but there are some here too. The Highland Model 3 gets a new, brighter display (although the computer underneath remains the same). Thanks to a narrower edge, the screen actually offers more usable space despite the same 15.4 inches.
Tip: If you drive a new Model 3 Highland and want to keep your two displays in mint condition, then protect them with matching protective glass.
In addition to the already existing seat heating, Tesla is also introducing seat ventilation for the front seats, which will provide a significant increase in comfort in summer: no more sweaty T-shirts and pants sticking to the seat. To make this feature possible, the seat surfaces are perforated, which also contributes noticeably to a high-quality interior look.
The sound system, which now has 17 speakers (previously 14) and two subwoofers in the Premium version, has not been left untouched. The basic system comes with nine speakers and a subwoofer.
The premium sound is available in the Model 3 Long Range, the basic system in the Model 3 with rear-wheel drive. Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal are integrated into the infotainment system in any case, but still require premium connectivity in order to function on the move.
Finally, Tesla also wants to have further optimized the connectivity functions such as WLAN, Bluetooth and LTE mobile radio. However, as these already worked excellently before, it is questionable whether the user will notice the improvements in everyday life.
Tesla Model 3 Highland range
All the changes to the exterior design make the Model 3 even more efficient than it already was. The increase in efficiency is expected to be up to 8% and consumption is expected to fall.
The standard model with rear-wheel drive consumes 13.2 kWh per 100 kilometers according to the official WLTP values, while the long-range model with its two motors consumes 14.0 kWh for this distance - both extremely good values.
To visualize the dimensions: The consumption values correspond to the calorific value of 1.35 and 1.43 liters of diesel respectively. No combustion engine can achieve this consumption per hundred kilometers, even if we assume that the Tesla's consumption is not entirely realistic according to the WLTP.
In any case, the economical consumption means the following for the WLTP range:
| Modell | Felgengröße | Reichweite (WLTP) |
| Standard Range | 19 inch | 519 km |
| Standard Range | 18 inch | 554 km |
| Long Range | 19 Zoll | 629 km |
| Long Range | 18 Zoll | 678 km |
Important: The values for 18-inch rims are estimated by Tesla, only the 19-inch values are official.
For comparison: The Highland predecessor drove 491 (standard) or 602 kilometers (long range) according to WLTP and consumed 14.4 - 14.7 kWh per hundred kilometers. Achieving such an increase in range without major changes to the vehicle is quite remarkable.
It is also interesting to note that despite these significantly improved values, other performance data such as acceleration (6.1 or 4.4 seconds to a hundred) have remained the same. There is also no evidence to date that the battery has been modified. The improvements are therefore solely due to the changes in aerodynamics and any advances in drive technology.
Another thought on this: The fact that Tesla can achieve an additional 8% in the Model 3, which is already one of the most economical and efficient e-cars, speaks for the innovative strength and expertise of Tesla engineers. However, it also shows how fierce the competition is in this area, and therefore the pressure to innovate, and how important range still is as a selling point.
Tesla Model 3 2024 price
Although a lot has been changed and improved, the new Tesla Model 3 has not really become more expensive. The Tesla Model 3 Highland price is currently 42.990 € for the standard version and 51.990 € for the Long Range model.
This means you have to put less on the table for the Highland than was the case with its predecessor for a long time - although prices at Tesla can fluctuate quite strongly and frequently, as is well known.
The only reason why the Model 3 Highland could end up being more expensive than previous versions is the elimination of the state e-car premium. This was discontinued at the end of 2023 as a cost-cutting measure, although of course neither Tesla nor the new model are to blame.
It remains to be seen whether and to what extent this change will affect Tesla's sales figures and the e-car market in general. With rising effective prices, the importance of a solid product and excellent marketing - both strengths of Tesla - is growing. But back to the pricing of the Model 3 Highland:
The two new colors "Ultra Red" and "Stealth Grey" are priced at 2.000 surcharge is due. In addition, the colors "Solid Black" and "Deep Blue Metallic" are still available for 1.300 and the "Pearl White" at no extra charge.
Little else has changed in the extras either. The newly designed 19-inch Nova rims are available for 1.700 € more, the white interior for 1.200 and the trailer coupling suitable for a towing load of one ton is available for €1.350 €. The two autopilot packages "Enhanced Autopilot" and "Full Self Driving Capability" also remain at 3.800 € and 7.500 € unchanged.
Performance variant coming later
As you may have noticed while reading this text, we are only ever talking about the standard and long-range variants of the Model 3.
This is not because these two variants already cover all the new features, but because the performance version of the Highland facelift has not yet been presented and is not currently listed in the Tesla configurator (as of March 2024).
The performance bomb of the Model 3 family is expected back later this year - we are curious to see if it will be even faster than before or if the changes will be limited to looks and comfort like the rest of the Model 3 family.
Tesla Model 3 Highland: Conclusion
With the changes introduced as part of the Model 3 Highland facelift, Tesla has addressed important points of criticism, but also further improved parts that were already working well. The increase in range is particularly noteworthy, as is the increase in comfort (noise reduction) and entertainment (display for the rear seats) - and of course the fact that all this is available at the same price as before.
With the improvements, the Model 3 is more than ever the "little brother" of the luxurious Model S, which is little inferior to it except for size and performance.
In this way, the Model 3, which is already a blockbuster, will continue to secure a place at the very top of the electric world in the future and is now also the latest thing in terms of design. The only real concern here is the discontinuation of e-car subsidies; however, Tesla has always proved successful in the past, even in difficult market situations.
Do you think Tesla has succeeded with the new Model 3? Comment your opinion below.
1 comment
Felix
Wow, das sind ja schon einige Änderungen!
Gibt es irgendwo eine Übersicht mit den Funktionen und der Ausstattung, die der erste Tesla hatte? Würde mich so im Vergleich auch mal interessieren.
Wow, das sind ja schon einige Änderungen!
Gibt es irgendwo eine Übersicht mit den Funktionen und der Ausstattung, die der erste Tesla hatte? Würde mich so im Vergleich auch mal interessieren.