Tesla Model 3: Smart Value
Tesla Model 3 RWD Review: Value and Features Make it the Most Appealing Choice
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Tesla's cheapest Model 3 might also be its best. The £37,990 RWD version trades a little speed and luxury for a £249 monthly PCP price and a surprisingly generous list of standard features, according to The Scotsman. That deal puts it roughly £100 per month cheaper than the Performance model — a gap hard to ignore for most buyers.
The entry-level Model 3 hits 60mph in 6.1 seconds, compared to 4.9 seconds for the Performance version. It tops out at 125mph and offers up to 318 miles of range on a full charge, according to National World. For everyday driving, reviewers say the RWD version is the one that makes the most sense.
Standard Equipment Punches Well Above Its Price
Despite being the base model, the RWD comes loaded. Buyers get a panoramic glass roof, rear heated seats, auto-dimming mirrors, and an electrically-adjustable steering wheel as standard. A rear 8-inch touchscreen for back-seat passengers is included too — a feature that was once reserved for more expensive trims, according to Doncaster Free Press.
The cabin uses the same premium materials found throughout the refreshed "Highland" range. Tesla's Project Highland update, launched in late 2023, overhauled the interior entirely. The result is a car that feels far more expensive than its price tag suggests. Build quality, now coming from Giga Shanghai, is widely seen as a step up from earlier US-built models.
Infotainment Leads the Class, But Stalks Are Gone
Tesla's 15.4-inch central touchscreen remains one of the best infotainment systems in any car. The Tesla app, which lets drivers control charging, climate, and location remotely, also draws praise. Reviewers consistently rate the software experience as a class leader, according to Northern Ireland World.
There is one sticking point. Tesla removed the traditional indicator and gear-selector stalks from the steering column. Instead, drivers use buttons on the steering wheel and the touchscreen. Critics argue this makes navigating roundabouts — a daily reality for UK drivers — more cumbersome. Some reviewers called it "innovation for the sake of cost-cutting." Fans say you adapt within days.
LFP Battery Makes Ownership Cheaper and Simpler
The RWD uses a Lithium Iron Phosphate, or LFP, battery. Unlike the cells in the pricier Long Range and Performance models, LFP batteries can be charged to 100% every day without harming long-term battery health. They also cost less to make, which helps explain the lower price point. Peak charging speed sits at 170kW, adding up to 172 miles in just 15 minutes.
Tesla also avoided the need to mine cobalt for this battery — a metal linked to supply chain concerns. For buyers who charge at home overnight, the running costs drop sharply compared to a petrol car. Analysts say this makes the RWD the most practical choice for the vast majority of Model 3 buyers.
£249 Monthly Deal Puts Pressure on BMW and BYD Alike
Tesla's aggressive PCP financing — £249 per month, typically with a deposit of around £9,000 to £10,000 — was introduced in mid-2024 to clear inventory and meet quarterly targets. At that price, the Model 3 RWD undercuts rivals like the BMW i4 and sits uncomfortably close to smaller, less-equipped cars like the Volkswagen ID.3, according to Glasgow World.
The pricing also puts direct pressure on Chinese rival BYD. The BYD Seal launched in the UK as a lower-cost alternative, but Tesla's financing deal narrows that gap significantly. Analysts at Bloomberg NEF suggest legacy carmakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz cannot match Tesla's margins at this price point due to higher production and legacy costs. For now, the Model 3 RWD is the benchmark.
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