2024 Tesla Model 3 'Highland' Review
The Tesla Model 3 has dominated the electric vehicle market since 2017, but competition from Hyundai and BYD has intensified. Enter the 2024 âHighlandâ refresh. This isnât just a facelift with new bumpers. Tesla has overhauled over 50% of the parts in the car to address specific complaints about ride quality and cabin noise. We tested the new Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range variants to see if these changes truly transform the driving experience.
The Suspension Overhaul: Finally Comfortable?
The biggest complaint regarding previous Model 3 iterations was the suspension. Owners often described the ride as stiff, jittery, or even âcrashyâ over potholes. The 2024 Highland update specifically targets this issue with a completely redesigned suspension system.
Tesla introduced new âFrequency Selective Dampingâ technology. This allows the shock absorbers to stiffen up for handling during spirited driving but soften significantly when hitting sharp bumps or rough pavement. During our testing, the difference was immediately noticeable. The car glides over expansion joints that would have previously sent a jolt through the steering wheel.
In addition to the dampers, Tesla updated the bushings and mounting points where the suspension connects to the chassis. This isolation reduces the vibration transferred into the cabin. If you avoided the Model 3 in the past because it felt too sport-tuned for a daily commuter, the 2024 model solves that problem. It now rivals the comfort of established luxury sedans like the BMW 3 Series.
Cabin Quietness and Acoustic Upgrades
Alongside the softer ride, the cabin is remarkably quieter. Tesla claims a 30% reduction in wind and road noise, and our tests support this.
The 2024 Model 3 now features 360-degree acoustic glass. Previously, acoustic glass was only used on the windshield and front side windows. Now, it covers the rear windows and the back glass roof as well.
Tesla also added more sound-deadening materials inside the doors and wheel wells. At highway speeds of 70 mph, the interior remains hushed. You no longer have to raise your voice to speak to passengers in the back seat. The âwhooshingâ sound of wind around the A-pillars has been almost entirely eliminated.
Interior Redesign: Ambient Lighting and Ventilated Seats
Open the door, and the interior feels more premium than before. The wood trim on the dashboard is gone. It has been replaced with a gray fabric that feels modern and soft to the touch.
Key Interior Features
- Ambient Lighting: An LED strip now wraps from the door panels around the entire dashboard. You can customize the color through the center screen, giving the cabin a lounge-like atmosphere at night.
- Ventilated Front Seats: This was a top-requested feature. Both the driver and passenger seats now offer cooling, which you can control via the Tesla app before you even enter the car.
- Rear 8-Inch Screen: Passengers in the back row now have their own touchscreen. They can use it to adjust the climate control, move the front passenger seat forward for more legroom, or watch Netflix and YouTube while the car is charging.
- Upgraded Sound System: The Long Range model features a 17-speaker system (up from 14) that includes two subwoofers and two amplifiers. The clarity is exceptional.
The Controversial Removal of Stalks
The most polarizing change in the 2024 Model 3 is the removal of the steering column stalks. There is no longer a physical lever for turn signals or a stalk to shift gears.
Turn Signals: These are now haptic buttons located on the left side of the steering wheel. While they work well on straight roads, they can be confusing when navigating roundabouts. You have to mentally track where the button is as the wheel rotates upside down.
Gear Shifting: To put the car in Drive or Reverse, you swipe on the left side of the main infotainment screen. Swipe up for Drive, swipe down for Reverse. While this sounds futuristic, it adds a step to three-point turns. However, Tesla has included backup capacitive buttons on the roof liner (near the hazard lights) in case the screen fails.
Exterior Styling and Aerodynamics
The exterior changes serve a functional purpose. The nose is sharper and the headlights are slimmer, giving the car a more aggressive look. These changes improve aerodynamics. The drag coefficient has dropped to 0.219, making it one of the most aerodynamic cars on the road.
This efficiency boost helps the range. Even with the same battery pack size as last year, the range estimates have improved due to the slippery shape.
- Standard Range RWD: Approx. 272 miles per charge.
- Long Range AWD: Approx. 341 miles per charge.
The tail lights are now integrated into the trunk lid as a single piece, preventing the split-light design seen on older models. New wheel designs, including the âPhotonâ wheels and âNovaâ wheels, also contribute to better range efficiency.
Performance and Pricing
Despite the comfort-focused upgrades, the Model 3 remains quick. The electric torque is instant.
- Rear-Wheel Drive: Starts at approximately $38,990. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. This model uses a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, which prefers to be charged to 100% regularly.
- Long Range All-Wheel Drive: Starts at approximately $47,740. It hits 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. This model provides immense passing power and confident traction in snow or rain.
These prices make the Model 3 Highland highly competitive against rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and the BMW i4, especially considering the access to Teslaâs Supercharger network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2024 Model 3 qualify for the Federal Tax Credit? As of early 2024, the tax credit situation for the Model 3 has changed due to battery sourcing requirements. Currently, only the Performance model (once released) is expected to qualify for the full $7,500 credit at the point of sale. The RWD and Long Range models may not qualify for the federal credit, though leasing might offer a workaround.
Is there a Performance âLudicrousâ model available? At the initial launch of the Highland refresh, only the RWD and Long Range AWD trims were available. A high-performance version, rumored to be badged as âLudicrousâ rather than just âPerformance,â is expected to launch later in 2024 with different bucket seats and upgraded brakes.
Did Tesla fix the panel gaps? Build quality on the 2024 Highland units appears significantly improved. The panel gaps are tighter and more consistent than in previous years. The doors also close with a more solid âthudâ rather than a hollow rattle.
can I retrofit the new headlights to my old Model 3? No. The front bumper, fenders, and hood geometry have changed to accommodate the new headlight shape. Retrofitting Highland parts onto a 2017-2023 Model 3 is not possible without major bodywork.