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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas MileageNew vs Used: Tesla Model 3
Big price cuts at Tesla might mean that buying a used isn’t the wisest way to get into a Model 3 so we’re comparing 2023 to 2020 to find out.
New vs Used: Which Telsa Model 3 is the Better Buy
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Tesla dropped prices on the 2023 Model 3 in a large way recently. The always popular sedan now starts at just $43,990 and that’s put a big dent in the used Model 3 market. To make matters worse, Tesla doesn’t follow a conventional model-year release schedule so determining which to buy can be even more difficult. Today, we’re going to take a deeper dive into these all-electric sedans, one brand new, and one from 2020 to determine which one is the better buy.
Specs
Back in 2020, the Model 3 was available in four trim levels and started at around $36,000. Today, they’ve maintained almost all of that value with the cheapest ones still sitting around the $30,000 mark. The base version offered 220 miles of range while the upper trims boasted 322. It’s worth noting that the range may have degraded slightly since these vehicles were brand new. The largest available battery in 2020 was a 79 kWh pack while a smaller 50 kWh battery sits inside the base model.
For 2023, the Model 3 is only available in three trims and starts at $43,990. The base model uses a 58 kWh battery pack good for 272 miles of range while the Long Range and Performance models use an 82 kWh battery pack. The Long Range has an EPA-estimated range of 358 miles while the Performance version can go 315 miles. Tesla doesn’t provide horsepower and torque figures so we’re left guessing there on both models. Nevertheless, the new pricing has us reconsidering our verdict from when we compared the Model 3 to the Kia EV6.
Driving and Performance
The 2020 Model 3 is a great everyday driver. Even in its base form, it’ll rocket from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds and thanks to a very low center of gravity (that’s what a super-heavy battery under the floor gets you), it handles very flat and predictably.
Unlike many other EVs in this space, the Model 3 provides good steering feedback and even allows the driver to change settings to provide heavier or lighter effort. Handling is far and away one of its most impressive attributes. The Performance trim gives this little sedan supercar-like acceleration (0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds) and bigger brakes too.
At the same time, it’s worth noting that even on cars where the battery range hasn’t degraded, achieving EPA-estimated ranges isn’t the easiest thing we’ve ever done. Driving above 60 mph for long periods of time or hammering away at the throttle often can diminish range in the same way that it would in a gasoline-powered car.
The 2023 Model 3 is nearly identical to the 2020 model in terms of driving dynamics. The brand hasn’t changed any of the major components surrounding the drivetrain, suspension, or chassis. What has changed is the fact that Tesla now has a track mode for the Performance model and it can do the 0-60 sprint in as little as 3.1 seconds.
Both cars benefit from impressive ride quality. Again, the weight of a battery helps the Model 3 soak up imperfections in the road the way that similarly-sized ICE cars struggle to. Both also enjoy the national Tesla Supercharger network which is, for now, vastly superior to what other brands offer.
Comfort and Interior
There’s a small change in the way the two cars go about their business as everyday cars too. The older 2020 Model 3 is a bit noisier in the cabin. Over the years, Tesla has gone to a lot of trouble to silence road noise and it’s obvious when driving these two back to back. In addition, the new model benefits from newer technology throughout the structure of the car. There are updated cameras, an updated center console with space for two wireless charging pads, new finishes on the interior, and a power-operated trunk.
Beyond those differences, the two sedans are basically the same. The seating is comfortable and supportive, the infotainment system is gigantic and incredibly featureful, and the rear seats feel a little cramped. Those back seats do fold in a 60/40 split configuration so there’s access to the trunk but we do want to see what it’s like in the alternate universe where the Model 3 is a hatchback like its Model Y sibling.
Trims and Features
Those searching for a 2020 Model 3 will find four available trim levels. Standard Range is the rarest of the bunch as it was only available as a special order trim. It gets the small battery pack listed above along with 220 miles of range. It also comes in a RWD layout only along with a glass roof, that 15-inch infotainment system with integrated navigation, and Tesla’s Autopilot semi-autonomous driving suite.
Standard Range Plus buyers get the same basic package but 250 miles of range and access to other features like bigger wheels.
The Long Range version of the Model 3 offers 322 miles of range along with standard AWD. It also includes a premium sound system.
The Performance variant keeps the same range but adds Brembo brakes and a lowered suspension.
For 2023, Tesla offers three trim levels starting out with the Rear-Wheel Drive version. It sports a 272-mile range, 18-inch wheels, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a black interior as standard.
The Long Range once again adds AWD along with 358 miles of range, a 13-speaker sound system, floor mats, and a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds.
The Performance drops range to 315 miles but adds 20-inch wheels, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, aluminum pedals, a sport suspension, Brembo brakes, and a track mode.
The Verdict
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At most, a used Tesla Model 3 will save somebody about $15,000 over the cost of a new one. That money isn’t free though because, at the same time, they have less warranty coverage, substantially more miles on their vehicle, and an unknown amount of wear and tear on components.
The new Tesla Model also benefits from new tech and potentially better autonomous driving features in the future. For those reasons, we think that a brand new 2023 Tesla Model 3 is far and away the way to go if one can afford it.
