2022 Tesla Model 3 RWD Australian review

Keen on a new Tesla Model 3? Find out what it’s really like to own one as we put the best selling electric car in the nation through its paces.

Despite the arrival of several new rivals the Tesla sold more than 12,000 Model 3s in 2021, stamping its dominance on the electric car market.

Here are five things you need to know about the Tesla Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive.

1. New name, (mostly) the same car

The Model 3 is the only Tesla currently on sale in Australia and comes in three guises. It’s the most affordable model we’ve tested here, a car previously known as the Standard Range Plus but now simply called Rear-Wheel Drive.

Tesla sold more than 12,000 Model 3s in Australia in 2021. (Long Range version shown)

As the name suggests, it drives only the rear wheels using a single electric motor. The other two models – Long Range and Performance – each get a second electric motor to drive the front wheels, in the process bringing a big dose of added pace.

Changes are for the Tesla faithful (there’s no shortage) and include mildly revised tail lights. In true Tesla form most of the changes affect software and tech.

2. Prices are up

The Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive sells from about $70,000 drive-away, which is $4000 more than it was earlier in the year.

Compared with the Standard Range Plus, the RWD gets a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats (including the middle seat).

The cheapest Tesla is eligible for several state-based incentives. (Long Range version shown)

Other standard equipment includes power-operated steering wheel and front seats and a panoramic glass roof (there’s no cover, so things can get steamy on a sunny day).

There’s also a crystal-clear camera with forward, rear and side views as well as Tesla extras such as in-built arcade games and Sentry Mode, a security measure that uses the cameras to record activity around the car.

3. It’s slower, but still quick

Tesla doesn’t quote power figures but in certifying the car for sale the company listed its peak output as 208kW. There’s clean pulling power at any speed.

The updated Model 3 is claimed to take 6.1 seconds to hit 100km/h and our testing showed it took 6.3 seconds. While that’s slower than before, you’d be hard pressed to pick it.

The RWD has great pick-up and we found it’s slightly faster than the old model from 60-100km/h. It’s also quicker than its prime rivals, the single motor (two-wheel drive) Kia EV6, Polestar 2 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The Tesla is plenty fast and has a great driving range.

Claimed range has increased from 448km to 491km and it’s fast to charge, too. It’ll add around 50km of range per hour using a home wallbox with single phase wiring or up to 1000km/h with a Tesla Supercharger.

4. Get ready to relearn the car controls

Driving a Tesla requires some reprogramming.

The giant 15-inch touchscreen that breaks up the minimalist dash and houses most functions, from infotainment and mapping to opening the glovebox, boot and bonnet (or “frunk” as Tesla calls it). But it’s all intuitive and quickly becomes second nature.

Some of the functionality makes traditional cars look old school. You can pair your phone as the key, for example, and that’s all you need to drive the car.

There’s no start button, the car instead recognises weight on the driver’s seat and the proximity of your phone to become active.

5. It’s good to drive

Despite all its whizz-bangery and driving only on electricity, the Model 3 does lots of regular car things surprisingly well.

The compact steering wheel suits its direct responses. Suspension is firm but not jarring and the 18-inch Michelin tyres deliver on grip. You’ll feel bumps, especially when they come in rapid succession, but the body is well controlled, so there’s a sense of security.

Our biggest gripe is the aggressive regenerative braking, which can’t be adjusted. But given Tesla is red hot on over-the-air software updates – adding infotainment or changing drive functions as easily as you update your smartphone – there’s every chance that could change in future.