My biggest gripe with the US Model 3 has always been the older screen sitting next to what every other newer Tesla gets. That gap just closed.
Furthermore, the dual-motor trims picked up real range and power gains too, which I honestly didn’t expect this soon.
What’s actually different on the US Model 3 now?
Every trim gets the 16-inch display, including the base RWD that starts at $36,990, replacing the old 15.4-inch unit. For those catching up, this is the same screen Tesla put in the Model Y Premium back in January.
Performance adds a black headliner and bumps the claimed range from 309 to 316 miles (not a huge difference, to be honest). The peak power figure has been revised to 528 horsepower, up from 510 at launch. However, the 0-60 time holds at 2.9 seconds.
Premium AWD also gets a quicker sprint time: 3.8 seconds to 60, down from 4.2. What is odd, however, is that the automaker hasn’t confirmed where that extra power and range came from, or whether existing owners will ever see it.
So, what did US buyers not get this time?
To my disappointment, vehicle-to-load didn’t make the trip across the Pacific. China’s updated Model 3 can push 2.2 kW of power to run outside gadgets off its battery. However, the US version stays locked out, same as it already is on everything. Only the Model Y Premium, Model Y Performance, and the Cybertruck provide that functionality.
The light gray interior available in China is absent here too, leaving US buyers stuck choosing between black or black-and-white.
The good news is that prices didn’t move in this refresh. Tesla is still asking $36,990 for RWD, $42,490 for Premium RWD, $47,490 for Premium AWD, and $54,990 for Performance.
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