Five years ago, I took ownership of my Tesla Model 3 SR+. It’s hard to believe it’s been half a decade already! This milestone prompts the question: How does the entry-level Tesla Model 3 stand up after five years of real-world use? In this comprehensive Tesla Review, I’ll delve into what I still appreciate about the car, areas that haven’t aged as gracefully, and assess its prospects for the next five years.
Broadly speaking, the Model 3 has remained remarkably consistent over these five years. While there have been a few necessary fixes and replacements, which I will detail along with their associated costs, the core experience remains largely unchanged. I will also touch upon my charging habits and expenses, though my situation was somewhat unique due to access to free Supercharging for a significant portion of this period, making it less broadly applicable. Furthermore, we’ll examine the inevitable wear and tear, particularly focusing on the Model 3’s white vegan leather seats, a feature of considerable interest to many. A key aspect of any electric vehicle review is battery health, so I’ll also discuss battery degradation – specifically, how the car’s range on a full charge has evolved over time.
Beyond the fundamentals, this tesla review will also explore the journey with Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) system, the evolving public perception of Teslas and the community surrounding them, and the impact of over-the-air software updates throughout these five years.
This article aims to be a valuable resource for anyone considering a new or used Tesla Model 3, or indeed any electric vehicle. If you have specific questions I haven’t addressed, please feel free to ask in the comments section below. For those of you who are fellow long-term Tesla owners, I encourage you to share your experiences and insights in the comments as well.
Overall Satisfaction: A Family Car Perspective
In terms of overall satisfaction, our family remains extremely pleased with the Model 3. As a family of four with two young daughters, this car serves as our primary and only vehicle. It has capably met almost all our needs over the past five years. There have been only a handful of instances where transporting exceptionally large or cumbersome items required borrowing an SUV or truck. However, for everyday family life – including transporting tennis, soccer, and beach gear – the Model 3 has proven to be perfectly adequate. This tesla review highlights its practicality for family use.
For longer trips within Florida, the Supercharger network has been consistently convenient and reliable. Choosing the standard range Model 3 was a deliberate decision, as I didn’t perceive a need for extended range and saw no justification for spending significantly more for larger battery packs. Five years on, I remain confident in this choice. A longer-range model would have offered minimal additional benefit for my driving habits, and I still wouldn’t opt to pay extra for capabilities I don’t require.
Initially, I was uncertain about selecting the white seats. However, I opted for them and would unequivocally recommend them, particularly for those in warmer climates. In a hot environment like Florida, the white seats are considerably cooler and more comfortable, in my experience. While not impervious to wear, their benefits in heat outweigh the potential drawbacks, which I will address further in this tesla review.
The driving dynamics of the Model 3 are exceptional. I struggle to imagine another car on the market that offers a more enjoyable driving experience. While I haven’t yet driven the Hyundai IONIQ 6, and acknowledge the Porsche Taycan as a likely superior, albeit much pricier, driving machine, the Model 3 holds its own. The primary drawbacks in the driving experience of an earlier Model 3 like mine are the less-than-ideal sound insulation and a suspension that transmits road imperfections quite noticeably – even small bumps can feel jarring. Highway driving can be particularly noisy. This is arguably the most significant downside of the pre-refresh Model 3 and something potential buyers should be aware of. However, it’s crucial to note that the updated Model 3 has made substantial improvements in these areas, effectively resolving these issues. The new Model 3’s quiet cabin and refined suspension are now key selling points.
I remain a strong admirer of the Model 3’s minimalist interior, its infotainment system, and the seating, all of which I consider to be class-leading in the US market. While some Chinese models might now surpass Tesla in certain aspects, these are not available in the US, and I cannot offer a firsthand comparison. This tesla review continues to find the interior design a major positive.
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Maintenance and Repair Costs: Surprisingly Low
In a previous update in December, I reported total maintenance costs of $3199.59, largely due to the expense of a third set of tires. This figure remains unchanged, as I have incurred no additional maintenance or repair costs this year. I did bring the car in for a service appointment regarding an error with the front passenger seat’s safety restraint system, but this was addressed under warranty at no charge. Over 61 months of ownership, $3199.59 equates to a remarkably low $52.45 per month. This tesla review highlights the affordability of Tesla maintenance.
Wear and Tear: Minor Imperfections After 5 Years
Wear and tear on the Model 3 has been minimal overall. There’s not a great deal to report. The most prominent issue was bubbling on the steering wheel material a couple of years ago. Tesla replaced the steering wheel under warranty, and the replacement has been problem-free since. However, comments on my YouTube video about the steering wheel issue indicate that this is a recurring problem for some Model 3 and Model Y owners, who have had to pay for replacements out of pocket. I am somewhat concerned about the issue reappearing on the new steering wheel over time. It’s worth noting that I now primarily park the car in a garage, whereas previously it was often parked in the hot Florida sun. Tesla service personnel also suggested that hand sanitizer might have contributed to the steering wheel issue. While I used hand sanitizer sparingly, there was a period during the COVID pandemic when usage was higher, before I suspected it might be causing skin problems and discontinued its use. Time will tell if the issue resurfaces. This tesla review will monitor this aspect going forward.
Aside from the steering wheel, some discoloration is visible on the cloth sections of the white seats. It’s not severe, but it is noticeable. Tesla has since eliminated these cloth sections in newer models, using only faux leather, so this is not a concern for new vehicle buyers.
More recently, I have observed some areas of the seating where the material is not as pristine white or smooth as it once was. This is to be expected with time and use. However, I believe the seats have held up exceptionally well and remain remarkably smooth, attractive, and white. I am genuinely interested to see how the seats will fare over the next five years. This tesla review acknowledges minor wear but praises seat durability.
In reality, the seats appear even whiter and more appealing than these photos suggest, but this is how my camera captured them.
A small area in the driver’s door cupholder exhibits some unsealed/loose leather-like material. Given the heavy use this area has endured over five years, it’s not entirely unexpected, but I am now mindful of it and attempting to prevent further deterioration.
It’s a minor flaw, but it’s the most noticeable wear and tear currently present. I may attempt to re-adhere it with a bit of glue or simply monitor if it worsens.
Battery Degradation: Within Expected Range
Initially, our Model 3’s range on a full charge decreased from approximately 230 miles to around 200 miles within the first year. Since then, the range has remained stable at this level. This is generally consistent with expected battery degradation patterns. Batteries typically experience an initial capacity reduction relatively early in their lifespan, followed by a period of stability lasting many years, potentially over a decade, before another significant drop occurs. Battery degradation is not a concern for me. These batteries should maintain ample range for the lifespan of the car. This tesla review confirms acceptable battery performance.
Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD): Progress, But Still Not Robotaxi Ready
I have been extensively documenting Tesla’s progress with “Full Self-Driving” for several years. You can find comprehensive coverage here and video updates on YouTube here. In brief, after years of limited or even regressive progress, the driver-assist features have dramatically improved with version 12. However, when I purchased the car, Elon Musk suggested that the current level of capability would be achieved by late 2019, and he had certainly predicted robotaxi-ready technology by now. FSD is still not ready for widespread robotaxi deployment. Nevertheless, it has reached a stage where such a future is conceivable. The timeline for resolving remaining edge cases and achieving true robotaxi capability remains uncertain. There are still concerns about a potential “see-saw problem” where improvements in one area might introduce regressions in others. The future trajectory of FSD remains to be seen, a point highlighted in this tesla review.
Tesla’s Evolving Presence in the Community
When we first acquired our Tesla Model 3, it was a novelty. Children would excitedly point it out in school pickup lines, even though Teslas were already becoming somewhat common. Over time, Tesla Model 3s and Model Ys have become ubiquitous. They are now as commonplace as Toyota Corollas or Camry’s in our area. Children at school no longer seem to notice our Model 3. However, the recent arrival of a Cybertruck at the school is undoubtedly generating considerable excitement. This tesla review notes the shift in Tesla’s public perception.
The widespread presence of Tesla vehicles has likely contributed to increased consumer trust in EV technology, facilitating broader adoption. Furthermore, the diversity of EVs on the road is expanding beyond Tesla. In short, electric vehicles are becoming mainstream. While they don’t yet dominate the car market, they are finally considered normal.
Over-the-Air Software Updates: Initial Excitement, Gradual Slowdown
I was initially impressed by the over-the-air software updates shortly after purchasing the Model 3. We gained access to Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and various video games. An efficiency update improved our maximum range. (Although, as mentioned earlier, the original range was more than sufficient for my needs, so the practical impact was minimal.) There were also fun Easter eggs added. However, in recent years, the frequency and impact of updates have diminished. Significant improvements are less common. The touchscreen UI occasionally changes, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Following those initial major updates, I had hoped for a consistent stream of substantial enhancements, and Elon Musk suggested around that time that updates would be released roughly monthly. However, beyond minor tweaks and new features, it’s unclear what further major updates are needed. Overall, while over-the-air updates are occasionally welcome, they are rarely groundbreaking. This tesla review reflects on the evolution of software updates.
Final Verdict: Would I Buy the Tesla Model 3 Again?
Unequivocally, yes! However, if I were purchasing a new car today, I would also seriously consider the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, or Hyundai IONIQ 5. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is also aesthetically appealing externally, but I prefer the interior design and feel of the other three models. This tesla review concludes with a strong recommendation, but acknowledges evolving market preferences.
Currently, the choice of an electric car is increasingly influenced by personal aesthetic preferences, rather than purely practical considerations. Numerous EVs offer ample range and features at competitive prices, and nearly all major automakers are committed to Tesla Supercharger compatibility.
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