2021 Tesla Model 3 Review: Reliable Small Electric Sedan With Very Low Maintenance Costs

Shmandarin on June 25, 2024

This car has been the best I’ve owned so far. Even if you aren’t looking at a Tesla, EVs in general are so much fun! I’ve had little maintenance in the three years I’ve had this car so far (tire rotations, wiper blades). Every major software update brings either new features or improvements.

Luke on May 13, 2023

If you want a maintenance-free vehicle, this is the closest thing you can find on the market. We’ve been driving the wheels off our Model 3 LR for almost two years. No gas stations, no oil changes, no fluid changes (unless you count windshield wiper fluid,) tires still have plenty of tread, brakes have barely ever been used (regenerative brakes are amazing,) the temperature in the car is always perfect when you get in, and no turning the car off, simply get out and walk away, the car does the rest. The only service we have done to this car has been tire rotation, and they come to your house to do it if you want! Charging at home means you never, ever have to worry about the state of your “tank” unless you’re on a trip over 350 miles. And then it’s a quick navigation to a supercharger for a few minutes; the car automatically does the math for you and determines the best places to stop along your route. Admittedly, the occasional supercharge on a long trip is the only downside and could be a dealbreaker for some. But we plan accordingly. Plug up the car, walk the dogs or grab a bite to eat. By the time you’re done, the car is ready to go! The loudest voices in the room are always the people that had the rare bad experience, that’s inescapable. Just know that they are the minority. This car has plenty of get up and go whenever you need it and rides smooth. I used to drive muscle cars, so not hearing all that engine noise took a little bit to get used to. But now I don’t miss it at all. In fact, now I’m mildly annoyed when I’m the passenger in a loud car. That’s probably also a sign that I’m getting older. If you’re on the fence about an EV, go take one for a test drive. Tesla doesn’t pressure you, they don’t even ride along with you. It’s just you and the car, so you can see for yourself. That’s all it took for us to bite. I can almost guarantee you’ll want one after you’ve driven around in one for fifteen minutes.

Donnie on April 15, 2023

This is easily the most fun car I've ever driven; handling is great and it destroys muscle cars off the line! Very techy but fairly simple to figure everything out. I'll likely only ever buy Teslas now.

Aki on November 17, 2022

Its a good car to drive. Interior for driver is nice but not always convenient while driving. Down sides. Adaptive wipers are nice when they work, but you cannot adjust sensitivity and changing to manual is from screen. Cruise control quite often slows down or even panic brakes for no apparent reason. Also sometimes changes speed above speed limit even when settings are to hold speed that I was driving. Basically everything is done from touchscreen in middle that is no good while driving. This includes light, wiper and other settings we are used to control while hands on wheels. Good things. Acceleration is great when you need it.

Bradley P. on October 2, 2022

It's the first time I've actually enjoyed driving. Before this I had a Civic, then a Sonata, and my first car way back was a Chrysler 300 (which was an absolute heap of garbage). After the 300 I was purely interested in reliable, economical cars that would get me from A to B with the basic amenities. The Model 3 was a step way above that, it's more efficient than any gas-powered or hybrid commuter car, it has a modest stylishness to it, and it has WAY more get-up-and-go than you'd expect, even with the single-motor package. The torque is instantaneous with no dead zones or gear changes. The handling is solid. There's a lot to love, including the infotainment system, built-in navigation, huge screen, etc. It was a lot to adjust to, going from a vehicle with tons of dials and buttons to just a screen and a handful of tactile controls, but I love it now. But one of the things I love most about it is that I can just open my phone and start the AC a couple minutes before I get in my car - In a city that regularly sees 110+ degrees, that is a GODSEND. I'm definitely an EV convert after buying a Model 3.

Zeke on August 8, 2022

Riding in this car will make you feel like you are a part of the future or hovering aboard a space ship. It truly rides like magic. I’m amazed at what this vehicle can do. The reliability and safety of this car is outstandingly outperforming every other car on the road. It does not require maintenance and every bit of the vehicle was built to guide humanity in the direction of 100% safe transportation. From my calculation on battery life, this vehicle will still hold a 250 mile charge after it’s been on the road for 600,000 miles. Considering sustainability of electricity and cost to charge- this car will save your pocket on energy costs and the earth from fuel emissions. The simplicity of the vehicle makes it easy to keep clean! Perfect 10/10 car.

AnnoyedNearBoston on June 12, 2022

Mileage is only an Estimate. Charged for a trip in the winter and it planned out the course to a supercharger, and beyond, only to find that we had next to 1 mile left when we arrived. 175 miles away, with a 258mile charge...stressful. Another problem, service. Our ambient temp sensor went south, reads -39F in the 90 degree weather, turns on the defrosters, seat heaters, and won't run the AC. Tried to fix, but the FRUNK won't open at all. Tesla service will fix it, but we have to bring it to one of 4 "local" state wide service areas an hour plus away. And, the appointment was a month out. Have had basically a $45k brick in our driveway for pretty much a month. Oh, also, they don't answer the phone and don't work on weekends. Come on Elon...fix your service, we need our cars.

Shmandarin on June 25, 2024

This car has been the best I’ve owned so far. Even if you aren’t looking at a Tesla, EVs in general are so much fun! I’ve had little maintenance in the three years I’ve had this car so far (tire rotations, wiper blades). Every major software update brings either new features or improvements.

Luke on May 13, 2023

If you want a maintenance-free vehicle, this is the closest thing you can find on the market. We’ve been driving the wheels off our Model 3 LR for almost two years. No gas stations, no oil changes, no fluid changes (unless you count windshield wiper fluid,) tires still have plenty of tread, brakes have barely ever been used (regenerative brakes are amazing,) the temperature in the car is always perfect when you get in, and no turning the car off, simply get out and walk away, the car does the rest. The only service we have done to this car has been tire rotation, and they come to your house to do it if you want! Charging at home means you never, ever have to worry about the state of your “tank” unless you’re on a trip over 350 miles. And then it’s a quick navigation to a supercharger for a few minutes; the car automatically does the math for you and determines the best places to stop along your route. Admittedly, the occasional supercharge on a long trip is the only downside and could be a dealbreaker for some. But we plan accordingly. Plug up the car, walk the dogs or grab a bite to eat. By the time you’re done, the car is ready to go! The loudest voices in the room are always the people that had the rare bad experience, that’s inescapable. Just know that they are the minority. This car has plenty of get up and go whenever you need it and rides smooth. I used to drive muscle cars, so not hearing all that engine noise took a little bit to get used to. But now I don’t miss it at all. In fact, now I’m mildly annoyed when I’m the passenger in a loud car. That’s probably also a sign that I’m getting older. If you’re on the fence about an EV, go take one for a test drive. Tesla doesn’t pressure you, they don’t even ride along with you. It’s just you and the car, so you can see for yourself. That’s all it took for us to bite. I can almost guarantee you’ll want one after you’ve driven around in one for fifteen minutes.

Donnie on April 15, 2023

This is easily the most fun car I've ever driven; handling is great and it destroys muscle cars off the line! Very techy but fairly simple to figure everything out. I'll likely only ever buy Teslas now.