The Electric Sedan That's Worth Every Penny – Top Speed

Electric vehicles (EVs) have continued to gain traction and popularity here in the U.S., and the electric sedan market is bigger than ever. But, not all electric sedans are created equal. Some prioritize luxury while others aim for performance, and a few try to offer a bit of everything without pushing the price too far out of reach.

Leading the way within this rapidly growing segment, one model from Tesla manages to hit all the right spots. It delivers an incredibly fun driving experience, comes packed with innovative features and tech, and offers multiple trims to fit a variety of needs. When you take everything into account, it’s hard to argue that this isn’t the best electric sedan for the money.

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TopSpeed’s Best Electric Car Of The Year Is The Tesla Model 3

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The 2025 Tesla Model 3 Is Worth Every Penny Of Its $42,490 Starting Price

Pricing Breakdown

The 2025 Tesla Model 3 comes in three trims, ranging from a basic single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) trim to a high-powered all-wheel drive (AWD) option. The Long Range RWD starts at $42,490, the Long Range AWD at $47,490, and the Performance AWD tops the range at $54,990. All three trims also qualify for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which effectively brings their prices down to $34,990, $39,990, and $47,490 respectively. For a high-end electric sedan with this level of range, power, and the brand recognition that comes with Tesla, the Model 3 is priced extremely competitively among other electric sedans.

Performance Specifications

The RWD Model 3 makes 295 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque from a single electric motor, allowing it to hit 60 miles per hour (MPH) in 4.9 seconds while offering the longest range of the three at 363 miles. The Long Range AWD adds a second motor to the front axle, boosting power to 425 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. That drops the 0 to 60 time to just 4.2 seconds while still offering 346 miles of range on a single charge.

The Performance AWD model takes things to another level entirely when it comes to speed. With 510 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque, it reaches 60 MPH in just 2.9 seconds. This is even quicker than the base Tesla Model S, which takes 3.1 seconds to reach 60. Its top speed of 163 MPH also surpasses both Long Range trims (and the base Model S).

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The Tesla Model 3 Is Loaded With Tech And Features

Top Tech And Luxury Features Of The Model 3

The interior of the Model 3 has a clean, minimalist design, but it still comes with plenty of tech and a handful of luxurious touches. Standard features include 360-degree acoustic glass for improved sound isolation, customizable ambient lighting, and a two-phone wireless charging pad built seamlessly into the center console. The main 15.4-inch touchscreen controls nearly every vehicle function and supports video streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube, along with in-car gaming that can use Bluetooth controllers. Unfortunately, Tesla still does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but its built-in software works surprisingly well.

Beyond the cabin tech, Tesla’s mobile app offers remote access to control charging, lock and unlock the car, precondition the climate, and even view live surroundings when Sentry Mode is active. Unique modes like Dog Mode, Camp Mode, and the aforementioned Sentry Mode turn the Model 3 into more than just a regular old car, driving its value even further up.

Tesla Autopilot And Full Self-Driving

The Model 3 comes standard with Autopilot, which includes adaptive cruise control that maintains a set distance from the car ahead, as well as lane centering to help keep the vehicle positioned within clearly marked lines. Buyers can also upgrade to Full Self-Driving (Supervised), which adds a wide range of features designed to make long-distance and city driving even more convenient.

These include highway navigation from on-ramp to off-ramp, automatic lane changes, and the ability to detect and respond to stop signs and traffic lights. The system also includes parking assistance, both basic and smart summon functions, and the ability to steer on city streets with driver supervision. While still a supervised system, it remains one of the most advanced autonomous driving systems on the streets today.

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How The Tesla Model 3 Stands Up To Other Popular Electric Sedans

Base Powertrain Specifications Comparison

Tesla Model 3 vs Lucid Air Pure

The Lucid Air Pure delivers impressive specs across the board, with 430 horsepower, standard AWD, and 420 miles of range on a single charge. It also features a more luxurious interior and is arguably the most complete electric sedan on the market today.

However, the Lucid‘s $69,900 starting price puts it more than $27,000 above the Model 3 Long Range RWD. That’s a steep premium for slightly better performance and range, especially considering the Model 3 still offers nearly 300 horsepower, a sub-5-second 0 to 60 MPH time, and more than 360 miles of driving range for nearly half the price.

Tesla Model 3 vs Hyundai Ioniq 6

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE Standard Range offers a lower price at $37,850, but the savings come with some serious trade-offs, especially when it comes to power and performance. The Hyundai has just 149 horsepower, takes 7.0 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour, and has a much shorter range of 240 miles.

For less than $5,000 more, the Model 3 Long Range RWD delivers more power, quicker acceleration, and well over 100 additional miles of range. Factor in Tesla’s more advanced technology and overall ecosystem, autonomous driving capability, and better charging infrastructure, and it becomes clear the Model 3 is the better value overall.

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Should You Buy A Tesla Model 3?

Current Offers And Lease Deals From Tesla

The 2025 Model 3 is already competitively priced, but the $7,500 federal EV tax credit brings its effective starting cost even lower. For buyers who prefer leasing, Tesla currently offers solid terms for all three trims. The Long Range RWD is available for $299 per month with only $1,000 down on a 24-month lease, allowing up to 10,000 miles per year.

Upgrading to the Long Range AWD raises the monthly payment to $499 under the same conditions, while the Performance AWD can be leased for $799 per month with the same down payment. The ability to lease a car that hits 60 MPH in under three seconds with just $1,000 down is pretty insane.

Are The Long Range And Performance Trims Worth The Premium?

Even with its base trim, the Model 3 Long Range RWD is one of the most well-rounded EVs on the market. It offers over 360 miles of range, solid acceleration, and all the tech that makes Tesla vehicles so appealing. But for just $5,000 more, the Long Range AWD adds a second motor, more than 100 additional horsepower, and better acceleration, making it justifiable at the very least.

The Performance AWD takes it up another notch from there. It delivers rocket-like acceleration that’s faster than a base Tesla Model S while costing nearly $40,000 less. That alone makes it one of the best-value performance sedans available today. No matter which trim you choose, the Model 3 lives up to its price tag and then some. That’s why it was named TopSpeed’s best electric car of the year for 2025. You really can’t go wrong with this now iconic car from Tesla.