The Tesla Model 3 is a small electric vehicle (EV) sedan with good range and performance, and it provides a relatively affordable point of entry to the brand. Its rivals include the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.

What’s New for the 2024 Tesla Model 3

Though Tesla doesn’t abide by most automakers’ traditional model year schedules, which means changes get rolled out whenever Tesla feels like it, we do have some insight as to what’s to come for the Model 3 electric sedan in 2024. The body and cabin see some design updates, and there are some changes to the powertrain, as well.

Design

The Model 3 is the smaller of Tesla’s two sedans, and it sees some exterior updates for 2024. Most body panels get very minor changes, with the exception of the rear doors and quarter panels, which go unchanged. The front end is updated for a sleeker look, though it's still not too different from before. New taillights complete the subtle overhaul.

Powertrain

Tesla tends to keep quiet about its vehicles' specifications, which makes it difficult to discern changes from year to year. The 2024 Model 3 gets an updated base model, though, with a 60.9-kWh battery pack and a single motor mounted at the rear axle, good for 257 hp to the rear wheels. Dual-motor models will likely carry over with all-wheel drive (AWD), zero-60-mph times ranging from about three to about six seconds, and driving ranges up to about 360 miles.

Interior

Tesla is known for really, really simple interior designs. Whether or not you like accessing all car functions through the touchscreen, there’s no denying that it reduces clutter. The Model 3 seats five passengers on standard heated seats. Front seats are also power-adjustable, and the driver gets a heated steering wheel. Avoid seating taller passengers in the back, if you can, since the sloped roof cuts into headroom. For 2024, Tesla upgrades some interior trim, and the Model 3 gets better-insulated glass.

Technology

We expect the 2024 Tesla Model 3’s tech features to carry over more or less unchanged, except for the addition of some steering-wheel-mounted controls and a new 8-inch display in the back row. Otherwise, we believe the main 15-inch touchscreen will carry over, controlling nearly all vehicle functions through Tesla’s proprietary interface. No Android Auto or Apple CarPlay here, folks.

Safety

The 2023 Tesla Model 3 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). That's the organization’s highest recognition, and the Model 3 also achieved top scores of “Good” in its crash testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2023 Model 3 a 5-star overall rating. Neither organization has tested the 2024 model.

Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warnings, cyclist and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and traffic-sign recognition. Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems cost more, but keep in mind that neither system fully delivers on the promise of its name.

Pricing

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 in Standard Range configuration is expected to start at about $39,000, which is about in line with 2023 pricing, and it's expected to be available in early 2024. Potential buyers should consult with a tax professional to determine eligibility for state and federal EV tax incentives.