When the Tesla Model S was introduced in 2012, it made a lot of new friends. The large sedan’s design combined beautiful appearance, performance, and a lot of technology, making it particularly appealing to individuals seeking their first electric car at the time.
The launch of the Tesla Model 3 five years later provided EV aficionados with another alternative, with the smaller vehicle delivering much of the same attraction as the Model S, but at a lower price. The Model S may have piqued the public’s curiosity, but the Model 3 has gone on to become the world’s best-selling electric vehicle, which is unsurprising considering its low cost.
So, does the Tesla Model S still hold its own, and does this luxury sedan have enough to tempt new vehicle buyers? Or are we becoming increasingly enticed by the Tesla Model 3, with its updated, somewhat more refined looks and appealing value for money? Continue reading to learn more about what makes both automobiles tick.
Overview of the Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3
Tesla has done a good job of producing two cars with sufficiently different characteristics to satisfy purchasers with varying wants. For the Variant S, this now means choosing a Plaid model, which comes with some headline-grabbing specs like 1,020hp peak power, a 390-mile projected range, and blistering acceleration (0-60mph in 1.99 seconds). If you equip the automobile with the right wheels and tyres, it will reach a peak speed of 200 mph.
The Tesla Model S Long Range has a somewhat lower top speed of 155 mph and a peak output of 670 horsepower. It can achieve this by accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds.
Meanwhile, the Tesla Edition 3 has three distinct models to pick from, including a Performance model that can go from 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds. The Standard Plus vehicle is slower, taking 5.3 seconds to reach 60 mph, while the Long Range AWD edition achieves a good balance, taking 4.2 seconds to reach 60 mph and reaching a peak speed of 145 mph.
Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3: Specs
| Tesla Model S | Tesla Model 3 | |
| Price | From $79,990 | From $35,690 |
| Range | 412 miles | 326 miles |
| Charging | 250kW | 250kW |
| Top Speed | 200mph | 140mph |
| 0-60mph | 1.99 seconds | 5.3 seconds |
| Extra features | Autopilot, Sentry mode, App control, wireless charger, tinted glass roof, AAA gaming | Autopilot, Sentry mode, App control, wireless charger, flat folding seats, tinted glass roof, heated seats and steering wheel |
Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3: Price
The Tesla Variant S Long Range model starts at $79,990, and the Tesla Model S Plaid edition starts at $129,000. As you’d expect from Tesla, you may add on a variety of extras to raise the final delivery price far over the base price.
The Tesla Model 3 is now available in three model versions. The Standard Range Plus starts at $39,990, the Long Range Model 3 starts at $48,990, and the Performance edition starts at $56,990 and goes up from there. The Tesla Model 3 may also be customised to fit your budget and needs, making automobiles far more expensive than their starting price.
Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3: Design and interior
The Tesla Model S was a real head turner when it first emerged, especially with fans of big traditional executive sedans. It’s certainly bigger than the Model 3, both in length and width, which might put off people with smaller car requirements. Styling on the Model S still looks surprisingly relevant too, with its characteristic slimline front grille still setting it apart from the crowd.
Although the Tesla Model 3 has a more modern appearance, there are crossover styling elements that appeal to a wider audience, such as the panoramic glass top present on both cars. Of course, any Tesla can be tweaked and fine-tuned to fit your preferences and budget, with wheels being an excellent example. The Model S may be ordered with up to 21-inch wheels, while the Model 3 can be ordered with up to 19-inch wheels.
The initial cabin of Tesla’s Model S, as well as the 17-inch portrait display in the centre, astounded many people. The smaller and landscape-oriented 15-inch affair in the Model 3 has mostly surpassed it in terms of ‘wow,’ but both infotainment and control hubs are a little. Overall though, the standard of Tesla interiors has improved to match the evolving exterior look.
Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3: What’s the Difference?
Considering its age, the Tesla Model S has definitely improved in terms of power. Tesla now has two model types, with the Plaid vehicle producing 1,020 horsepower thanks to its powerful tr- motor powertrain. The Long Range variant, on the other hand, has just 670 horsepower thanks to a dual-motor drivetrain, which is still amazing.
The newer Tesla Model 3 is presently available in three model configurations, implying a similar range of power options. The Performance variant comes with a Long Range battery that works in tandem with a twin motor, all-wheel-drive engine. The Standard Plus model has a less powerful powertrain, known as the Standard Range battery, while the Long Range AWD gets the same battery and powertrain as the Performance vehicle.
The battery and range of the Tesla Model S vs. the Tesla Model 3
When the Tesla Model S initially came out, its range wowed many people, and the car is still able to compete with rivals. If you choose the Tesla Model S Plaid, you’ll receive roughly 390 miles of range. The Tesla Model S Long Range automobile is even better, with a range of up to 412 miles.
The Tesla Model S against the Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is clearly a newer car, with a more refined design and three model versions to pick from, the range caters to all demands. The Long Range battery pack in the Performance variant is rated at 315 miles by the EPA. The Long Range AWD automobile, which also uses the Long Range battery, has a range of 353 miles.
Model S vs. Model 3: Technology and Other Features
All Teslas are susceptible to wireless software upgrades, so any Model S or Model 3 you buy will have the most up-to-date features. This extends to Tesla’s Autopilot self-driving technology, which has piqued the attention and piqued the terror of many potential buyers who are unaware of the system’s true merits.
When the Tesla Model S initially came out, its range wowed many people, and the car is still able to compete with rivals. If you choose the Tesla Model S Plaid, you’ll receive roughly 390 miles of range. The Tesla Model S Long Range automobile is even better, with a range of up to 412 miles.
The Tesla Model S against the Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is clearly a newer car, with a more refined design and three model versions to pick from, the range caters to all demands. The Long Range battery pack in the Performance variant is rated at 315 miles by the EPA. The Long Range AWD automobile, which also uses the Long Range battery, has a range of 353 miles.
Model S vs. Model 3: Technology and Other Features
All Teslas are susceptible to wireless software upgrades, so any Model S or Model 3 you buy will have the most up-to-date features. This extends to Tesla’s Autopilot self-driving technology, which has piqued the attention and piqued the terror of many potential buyers who are unaware of the system’s true merits.
In actuality, you’re receiving a slew of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, lane-changing assistance, and blindspot monitoring. Aside from that, both Teslas manage to cram a slew of extra amenities and functions into their vehicles, including power-folding mirrors, improved temperature control, a rearview camera, keyless entry, and much more.
The Tesla Model S against the Tesla Model 3
Even better, both automobiles have a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, putting them among the greatest safe-to-drive vehicles in the United States.
Both the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are expected to lose their radar sensors, which will be replaced with a camera-based Autopilot system, but the Model S will keep its radar technology. However, the shift appears to have had little effect on overall safety ratings thus far.
Tesla Model S vs. Tesla Model 3: Outlook
Tesla automobiles always generate a lot of attention, which isn’t necessarily beneficial. Following allegations of changes to the Model 3’s safety systems, such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), the car has received lower ratings from the Institute for Highway Safety in the United States, as well as a similar response from Consumer Reports.
Nonetheless, many EV converts consider the Tesla Model 3 to be the car to have, with ongoing high sales in numerous markets. Indeed, it has an 18 per cent share of the electric car market in the United Kingdom and does as well in other unexpected places. In France, it’s been pushed ahead of the Renault Zoe, putting the smaller EV in the second position as the best electric car to buy. That’s a big deal in a market where indigenous brands like Peugeot and Renault are frequently preferred over imports.
While the Tesla Model S still has a lot of appeals, it’s evident that the Tesla Model 3’s price has been a big part of its success so far. Add in the fact that it’s a newer car, and you’ve got a sedan with a very bright future ahead of it.