What is the best three-year-old EV in terms of value and reliability? Why not just buy new? Reliability is easy to measure, but value, especially for EVs, is more of a moving target. Value is mostly based on the quality of the car you can get against what you paid for it, and how much you would expect to sell it for after owning it for some years. Value is also influenced by the total cost of ownership, or what it will cost you to own and run that car for a specific number of years.
These value calculations apply to all vehicles, but they become more tricky in the rapidly changing world of EVs. Six or seven years ago, EVs were seriously expensive and generally lacked range, but the world seemed set on phasing out gas cars by 2030 or ’35. Then EV sales stuttered, even as prices dropped and ranges increased. Hybrids took over as the bright kid on the block, and EV resale values plummeted as next year’s models would be cheaper and better than this year’s. The EV market is in the process of settling down, and EV sales are rising. But EVs depreciate rapidly over the first two years before the downward curve flattens out. That is why a three-year-old EV is worth looking at, but with so many EVs now on offer, which is best?
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from the manufacturers and other authoritative sources, J.D. Power, Edmunds, and the IIHS.
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2022 Tesla Model 3: The Best 3-Year-Old EV For Value And Reliability
Tesla is in the news right now for reasons that have nothing to do with its cars’ performance, value, or reliability. Yet in an EV landscape that offers more and more great EVs to choose from, Tesla still stands out for its proven value and reliability. If you look beyond the clutter surrounding the brand, the Model 3 is a standout car, and a 2022 Model 3 would be an excellent three-year-old EV to buy.
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 brings a balance of reliability and value to the market, with strong resale value, proven battery longevity, and, of course, Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network. It remains one of the most practical EVs on the road today.
Tesla Model 3 Range
Tesla‘s Model 3 range has changed from 2022. Today, in 2025, you have a choice between the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive MSRP of $47,590, the Long Range All-Wheel Drive MSRP of $52,490, and the Performance All-Wheel Drive MSRP of $59,990. The 2022 Tesla sells for an average of $25,256, with prices ranging from $15,000 to $32,000. The Standard Range Model 3 was Tesla’s most affordable car until it was discontinued late in 2024.
|
Trim |
Motor Setup |
Range |
|
Standard Range |
Single-motor Rear-wheel drive |
272 miles |
|
Long Range |
Dual-motor all-wheel drive |
358 miles |
|
Performance |
Dual-motor all-wheel drive |
315 miles |
Note: the ranges of the 2022 Model 3 are estimates, as batteries can deteriorate by one- to two-percent per year, depending on how the car was used.
Highly Rated
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 is highly rated by respected industry bodies. Edmunds rated it 8/10 overall, while the IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick+, meaning the safest car in its class. The NHTSA gave it the top five stars overall in its crash test, while J.D. Power rates it:
- 82/100 overall
- 75/100 quality and reliability
- 87/100 driving experience
- 91/100 resale value
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A Proven Electric Powertrain With Excellent Longevity
The Tesla Model 3 was launched in 2017, which would make it seem like an outdated car in 2025, but Tesla operates differently than most other carmakers. Rather than launching a new generation every few years, with facelifts in between, Tesla performs continuous rolling updates to its cars. Occasionally, a specific trim will be dropped or a new variant added, but the 2025 and 2022 Model 3s are essentially the same cars as the 2017 launch model, but also completely different and much improved.
Some of the reasons why the 2022 Model 3 is a smart choice are its long-lasting battery, proven performance, and mature technology. Tesla’s excellent thermal management of its battery and regular over-the-air software updates allow the Model 3 to retain its range and performance for many years. The Model 3 comes with an eight-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty.
2022 Tesla Model 3 (Long Range AWD) Specifications
|
Starting Used Prices |
~ $30,000 |
|
Powertrain |
Dual-Motor Electric |
|
Horsepower |
447 hp |
|
Torque |
376 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
Single-speed automatic |
|
Driveline |
AWD |
|
Range |
358 miles (EPA estimate) |
|
Fuel Economy (City) |
134 MPGe |
|
Fuel Economy (Highway) |
126 MPGe |
|
Fuel Economy (Combined) |
131 MPGe |
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Cutting-Edge Tech That Still Feels Modern
Teslas feel a bit timeless, and the 2022 Model 3 interior is in no way dated. The cabin is modern and minimalist, and the glass roof adds to a sense of spaciousness. The fascia is dominated by a large touchscreen. The seats are upholstered in leather, with the driver’s seat adjustable enough to suit most drivers. The trunk is not massive at 12.3 cu-ft, but the fold-flat rear seats give storage versatility. There is also a 2.7 cu-ft front trunk.
Technology
The large 15-inch touchscreen is the center of the Model 3’s technology. Although the Model 3 lacks Apple and Android connectivity, the screen can run Google Maps in real-time, while you can use Bluetooth to stream apps like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube. This touchscreen is used for most functions, including adjusting the mirrors, turning on the windshield wipers, and setting the climate control.
The Tesla Autopilot is a useful driver aid, with smart cruise control that can react to traffic and curves in the road, and has good lane management features as well. One of the main technological advantages Tesla has is the vast Supercharger network, where you can charge your Model 3 for up to 200 miles in 15 minutes. Like any other EV, you can also charge your Model 3 overnight at home or at the workplace. The Model 3 can charge with a standard 120-volt household adapter, a 240-volt SAE adapter, and a NEMA 14-50 RV park adapter.
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Why The 2022 Model 3 Remains A Smart Buy
When you buy a used 2022 Model 3, you will pay on average 51% of its starting MSRP, and save around $23,000 compared to the price of a new Model 3. You would still have a reasonably new car with five years of battery warranty remaining. Should you sell after three years of ownership, your depreciation will be around $7,000.
…you will pay on average 51% of its starting MSRP, and save around $23,000 compared to the price of a new Model 3.
But while depreciation is part of the cost of owning a car, it is by no means the only cost of ownership. Not everybody would buy a car three years old and sell it three years later. Drivers are holding onto their cars for longer than ever before, so it is useful to look at how much a 2022 Model 3 will cost to own over five years.
2022 Model 3 Five-Year Total Cost Of Ownership
|
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Total |
|
|
Insurance |
$2,069 |
$2,131 |
$2,195 |
$2,261 |
$2,329 |
$10,985 |
|
Maintenance |
$153 |
$1,658 |
$195 |
$258 |
$1,833 |
$4,097 |
|
Repairs |
$153 |
$1,658 |
$195 |
$258 |
$1,833 |
$4,097 |
|
Taxes & Fees |
$2,101 |
$207 |
$204 |
$194 |
$171 |
$2,877 |
|
Financing |
$1,664 |
$1,347 |
$1,005 |
$632 |
$231 |
$4,879 |
|
Depreciation |
$1,713 |
$425 |
$1,599 |
$3,470 |
$3,587 |
$10,794 |
|
Fuel |
$1,234 |
$1,271 |
$1,309 |
$1,348 |
$1,389 |
$6,551 |
|
True Cost to Own |
$9,834 |
$8,426 |
$8,000 |
$9,770 |
$11,265 |
$47,295 |
This total cost of ownership is a comparative, rather than predictive, calculation. It is, for example, based on 15,000 miles per year, as well as a 60-month finance period.
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 is right in the two-to-four-year-old sweet spot for EVs, where the depreciation has flattened out, and a significant chunk of battery warranty remains. As a car that benefits from regular over-the-air software updates, this Model 3 is technologically closer to the current model year. The EV hardware, such as the battery, motors, and regenerative brakes, has not changed that much over the past three years, but the software that controls the hardware has, and that is always updated.
