Tesla Model 3 2021 review
Overview
The 2021-model-year Tesla Model 3 is the refreshed version of Tesla's record-selling electric saloon, and it's the one to look for on the used market. UK order books for the updated car opened in October 2020, with the first right-hand-drive deliveries arriving from January 2021. The changes were meaningful rather than cosmetic: a new heat pump cut winter energy losses dramatically, the chrome window trim and door handles were replaced with black trim, the tailgate became powered, and the front side windows gained double-glazed acoustic glass for a quieter cabin. Inside, Tesla fitted a redesigned centre console with proper lidded storage, wireless phone charging, and a heated steering wheel.
Three trims were offered in the UK in 2021: Standard Range Plus (rear-wheel drive), Long Range (dual-motor all-wheel drive) and Performance (dual-motor all-wheel drive with uprated brakes, 20-inch wheels and a carbon-fibre spoiler). The big WLTP range gains came from the heat pump and efficiency tweaks - up to 278 miles for the Standard Range Plus, 360 for the Long Range and 352 for the Performance - while 0-60mph times dropped to 4.2 seconds for the Long Range and 3.1 seconds for the Performance. UK list prices at the refresh started at £40,490 for the Standard Range Plus, £46,990 for the Long Range and £56,490 for the Performance.
A production detail matters more for used buyers than the trim badges. During 2021, UK-bound Standard Range Plus cars switched from Fremont, California production with NCA batteries to Shanghai production with LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries. An LFP pack is happier being charged to 100% every day and is widely regarded as the most durable cell chemistry Tesla has used, so a late-2021 Shanghai-built car is arguably the sweet spot for used values. The easiest tell for the facelift car on a forecourt is the black exterior trim where the earlier car had chrome.
As a used buy, the 2021 Model 3 remains one of Britain's most rational electric choices: 0g/km CO2 means it escapes the London ULEZ and congestion charge for EVs, benefit-in-kind tax stays at rock bottom for company drivers, and the Supercharger network - which in 2021 could fill the Long Range at up to 250kW - makes long journeys painless. Running costs stay low because there are no oil changes, no cambelts and far less brake wear thanks to regenerative braking, though insurance groups are high and panel-gap or paint consistency on some cars was patchy, so inspect carefully before committing.
UK price from: £40,490
Specifications
| Trim levels | Standard Range Plus (RWD), Long Range (AWD), Performance (AWD) |
| Range (WLTP) | 278 miles (SR+ LFP) / 360 miles (Long Range) / 352 miles (Performance) |
| Battery | 54 kWh total, 52 kWh usable LFP (SR+); LR/Performance ~75-82 kWh by build |
| 0-60 mph | 5.3 s (SR+) / 4.2 s (Long Range) / 3.1 s (Performance) |
| Top speed | 140 mph (SR+) / 145 mph (Long Range) / 162 mph (Performance) |
| DC fast charging | Up to 170 kW (SR+) / 250 kW (Long Range, Performance), CCS |
| AC charging | 11 kW Type 2 |
| Boot space | 542 litres including frunk and underfloor storage |
| Towing capacity | 1,000 kg braked |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2019: 96% adult, 94% safety assist) |
| Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles; battery 8 years / 100,000-120,000 miles |
| Insurance group | 48 (Standard Range Plus) |
Features
- Heat pump climate system (improved cold-weather efficiency)
- Powered tailgate (new on the 2021 refresh)
- Chrome-delete black exterior trim and acoustic double-glazed front windows
- Redesigned centre console with lidded storage and dual wireless charging
- 15-inch touchscreen with over-the-air software updates, Netflix, YouTube and arcade games
- Autopilot as standard (adaptive cruise and lane-centring on motorways)
- All-glass panoramic roof and heated front seats
- Sentry Mode dashcam surveillance and remote climate preconditioning via the Tesla app
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin pollen filter | £18 | Tesla recommends replacement roughly every 2 years; pattern filters are cheap, estimate |
| Wiper blade set | £22 | Flat-blade 26/19 inch pattern pair, easy DIY swap, estimate |
| 12V auxiliary battery | £120 | Early facelift cars still used a conventional 12V unit; a flat one can strand the car, estimate |
| Front brake pad set | £65 | Pattern pads; regen braking means pads last far longer than on petrol cars, estimate |
| Tyre, 235/45 R18 (SR+ Aero wheel) | £140 | Budget more for 19/20-inch Performance rubber, per tyre fitted, estimate |
| Type 2 charging cable | £180 | 3-phase 11kW 5m pattern cable; check if included with the used car first, estimate |
Pros
- Heat pump and efficiency tweaks make the facelift genuinely efficient in British winters
- LFP-equipped late-2021 cars can be charged to 100% daily without battery anxiety - ideal for used ownership
- Access to the UK Supercharger network with up to 250kW on Long Range and Performance
- One of the very best Euro NCAP results of its era - 5 stars with 96% adult occupant protection
- Minimal servicing, no road tax, ULEZ/CAZ exempt and tiny benefit-in-kind rates
Cons
- Insurance groups are steep - Group 48 for the Standard Range Plus, so quotes can shock
- Patchy build quality on some cars: paint chips, panel gaps and trim rattles are common complaints
- No Apple CarPlay, no Android Auto, no head-up display and no driver instrument cluster
- Ride is firm and road noise on 19-inch and 20-inch wheels is noticeable on rough A-roads
