Tesla Model 3

Highly sought-after, Tesla’s latest 2025 offering, the new Tesla Model 3 (‘Project Highland’), upgraded and launched in Malaysia.

A Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the D-segment (mid-size sedan) runner underpins variant-specific e-powertrain setups (e-motor, battery, output).

Fully imported (CBU – China), available via Tesla Malaysia are four variants (RWD – RM169,000, Long Range RWD – RM185,000, Long Range AWD – RM199,000, Performance AWD – RM229,000).

Prices (RRP) include a vehicle warranty (four years/80,000 km), an EV battery/drive unit warranty (RWD: eight years/160,000 km – Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD, Performance AWD: eight years/192,000 km).

Base prices (w-w/o add-ons) aside, total costs comprise of delivery/admin fee (RM500), number plate fee (RM200) and non-refundable order fee (RM1,000).

Exterior (single-tone) colours (Stealth Grey – standard, Pearl White Multi-Coat – RM5,000, Deep Blue Metallic – RM5,000, Diamond Black – RM5,000, Quicksilver – RM11,000, Ultra Red – RM11,000).

Interior (single-tone, dual-tone) colours (Black – standard, Black-White – RM5,000).

The new Model 3 gets a symmetrically angular and tiered dashboard, linked to a low-rising centre console (armrest, storage, dual wireless charger, gear lever-omitted).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, steering wheel, centre console, doors), it sees one (single-tone: Black) colour scheme. Optional (RM5,000 – dual-tone: Black-White).

Accentuations, contrast trims (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD, Performance AWD: Aluminium – Performance AWD: Carbon Fibre).

Equipped are a central display (floating single-unit: instrument cluster, infotainment), air-conditioning vents (slim, hidden) and an ambient light system (multi-colour).

Inclusively, the layout is ergonomic (functional), with accessibilities purposefully arranged (driver-oriented, user-friendly).

Part of a floating single-piece unit, installed is a 15.4-inch HD touchscreen central display (instrument cluster, infotainment, control unit).

Features are Bluetooth, USB, 5G/WiFi/WiFi hotspot, media, AM/FM radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), voice assistant, live navigation, camera views (live traffic feed, ADAS), mobile app remote control (Tesla app), app store, customisable interface (drive mode dependent), vehicle telematics and Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates.

Comfortable, the interior sees upholstery (leatherette) in one (single-tone: Black) colour scheme. Optional (RM5,000 – dual-tone: Black-White).

The front gets electronic-powered (driver/passenger: multi-way-adjust, multi-way-lumbar, ventilation, heating) Comfort (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD) and Sport (Performance AWD) seats.

The rear gets a manual-operated (40:20:40 split-fold, ventilation, heating) bolstered bench (three-seater).

Included are headrests (front, rear), armrests (front: centre console – rear: centre seat fold-out), a panoramic glass sunroof (acoustic, dark tint, heat insulation, UV protect, sunshade) and acoustic glasses (front, rear: windshields, side windows).

A five-seater (mid-size sedan), the cabin offers generous space with comfortable seatings, providing ample interior mobility for the occupants (front, rear). 

Sufficient head, shoulder and leg rooms.

Mounted is a three-spoke-flat-bottom steering wheel. Leather (single-tone – Black) with contrast trims (Aluminium).

Features are multi-function (touchpad: Bluetooth, media, voice recognition, vehicle settings), column adjustments (electric: tilt, telescopic), heating and column signal lever (left stalk).

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system.

Practical storage areas. E.g., pockets (side doors, seat backs), centre console spaces (partitioned, caverned, retractable, under-stowage), a glove box and a hidden boot space (under-boot floor).

Provided are four cup holders (two – front, rear) and four bottle holders (one – side doors).

Multiple power outlets. E.g., four USB ports (two – front, two – rear), one 12 V socket (front) and dual wireless charger (front).

Accessing its electronic-powered (handsfree: remote/key fob, infotainment, tailgate button, kick-sensor – height adjustment) tailgate opens to 682 litres of load capacity. 

Included is a front trunk (frunk: 88 litres).

Weighing in at 1,765 kg (RWD, Long Range RWD), 1,828 kg (Long Range AWD) and 1,854 kg (Performance AWD), the new Model 3 measures at 4,720 mm long (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD) and 4,724 mm (Performance AWD), 2,089 mm wide, 1,441 mm (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD) and 1,431 mm (Performance AWD) tall and with a wheelbase spanning 2,875 mm.

Sleek and athletic, it parades a low-sitting and tapered waistline exterior, emphasised by seamlessly flowing and clean-cut surfaces.

The front-end sees a formed bonnet (side raised, Tesla emblem), muscular quarter panels (flared fenders, air intake) and an inward-warped bumper (grille-omitted, lower-centre vented – Performance AWD: bumper lip, corner cutouts).

Accentuations, body trims (Black: vent, bumper lip, side mirror arms, window surrounds, B-pillars – Matte Black: Tesla emblem), flush door handles (Matte Black: electric) and roof (full glass).

Wide and athletic, it continues the low-sitting and tapered waistline exterior, emphasised by seamlessly jointed and horizontally clean-cut contours.

The rear-end sees a coupe roofline (tailgate flowing), muscular quarter panels (flared fenders), an upright tapered tailgate (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD: ducktail spoiler – Performance AWD: boot lid spoiler – Tesla script) and a covered bumper (diffuser: exhaust-omitted).

Accentuations, body trims (Black: diffuser, window surrounds, C-pillars – Matte Black: Tesla script – body-colour: ducktail spoiler – Carbon Fibre: boot lid spoiler), flush door handles (Matte Black: electric) and roof (full glass).

Sleek and eye-shaped, the headlamps are framed slim and roundly sharp. Installed are full LED (projectors) units.

Features are Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), automatic On/Off/high-/low-beam/cornering/levelling, welcome/leaving lights and sequential turn signals (LED).

Sleek and darkened, the tail lamps are slim and C-shaped with pointed wraparound edges. Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, welcome/leaving lights and sequential turn signals (LED). Included is a high-mounted stop light (LED: windscreen integrated).

The side mirrors (dual-toned – Black-body-colour) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with blind spot indicators (Blind Spot Collision Warning – BSCW), turn-signals, automatic-dimming, heating and memory.

Installed are ventilated (front, rear) disc brakes. Incorporated are coloured (Red) callipers (Performance AWD).

Aiding the setup are Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and brake energy recuperation (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD: One-Pedal Driving – Performance AWD: Customisable Regeneration) systems.

Mounted are sets of 18-inch ‘Photon’ (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD) and 20-inch ‘Warp’ (Performance AWD) alloy rims. 

The sets are rubbered up in 255/45 R18 (front, rear) Michelin Pilot Sport EV (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD) and 235/35 R20 (front, rear) Pirelli P Zero Elect (Performance AWD) tyres.

Optional (RM7,500) is a set of 19-inch ‘Nova’ (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD) alloy rims, rubbered up in 265/40 R19 (front, rear) Hankook iON EVO tyres.

The new Model 3 features the following suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Standard. Tesla Basic Autopilot (Level 2 autonomous driving system), Sentry Mode (cameras: 360-degree, dashcam), Tesla Vision (cameras: driving, parking), Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning and Blind Spot Collision Warning (BSCW). 

Others. Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Traction Control (TCS), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Hill-Descent Control (HDC), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Optional (RM16,000). Tesla Enhanced Autopilot (Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, AutoPark, Dumb Summon, Smart Summon: Tesla app).

Optional (RM32,000). Tesla Full Self-Driving Capability (Basic Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot, Traffic Light/Stop Sign Control, Autosteer On City Streets). 

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver-passenger, driver-knee, front sides, front-rear curtains), seatbelts (anchors, reminders, pre-tensioners), ISOFIX (two: outer rear seats), parking cameras (front, sides, rear: reverse, 360-degree), rear-view mirrors (exterior: BSCW, automatic-dimming, heating – interior: automatic-dimming), automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking, walk-away-lock), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), automatic headlamps (On/Off/low-/high-beam/cornering/levelling), automatic windows (anti-pinch, one-touch up/down), door ajar warning, impact sensors (side, front), emergency brake signal and anti-theft system (security alarm, engine immobiliser).

Standard (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD, Performance AWD) drive modes (ACCELERATION MODE: STANDARD, CHILL, SPORT).

Variant-specific (Performance AWD) drive modes (TRACK MODE V3: Regenerative Braking: Customisable Regeneration – Tesla Vehicle Dynamics Control: VDC).

Included are interior modes (DOG, CAMP, SENTRY).

Part of a floating single-piece unit, installed is a 15.4-inch HD touchscreen central display (instrument cluster, infotainment, control unit).

Features are Bluetooth, USB, 5G/WiFi/WiFi hotspot, media, AM/FM radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), voice assistant, live navigation, camera views (live traffic feed, ADAS), mobile app remote control (Tesla app), app store, customisable interface (drive mode dependent), vehicle telematics and Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates.

Included is an 8-inch rear touchscreen display (centre console-mounted: infotainment, AC control).

Entertainment is channelled via a standard setup (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD: nine speakers, one amplifier) and a premium audio setup (Performance AWD: 17 speakers, two subwoofers, one amplifier).

The new Model 3 (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD, Performance AWD) underpins an all-electric e-powertrain (BEV) with variant-specific setups.

Nestled is a single-motor setup (RWD, Long Range RWD: rear-axle-mounted) and a dual-motor setup (Long Range AWD, Performance AWD: front-rear-axle-mounted).

Merged to the setups is a single-speed automatic transmission.

Gear changes are made via the infotainment setup (touch-based). Back-up physical buttons are provided (front roof).

Power is transmitted to the rear (RWD, Long Range RWD) and all four (Long Range AWD, Performance AWD) wheels, via Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) systems.

0 to 100 km/h acceleration is done in 6.1 secs (RWD), 5.2 secs (Long Range RWD), 4.4 secs (Long Range AWD) and 3.1 secs (Performance AWD). 

Top speed is electronically capped at 201 km/h (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD) and 261 km/h (Performance AWD).

Underpinned is a 400 V electrical architecture with variant-specific battery setups.

First setup (RWD) is a Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery (62.5 kWh) with a driving range of 520 km (WLTP). Supported are AC charging (Type 2: 11 kW) and DC charging (CCS2: 170 kW).

Second setup (Long Range RWD) is a Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery (78.4 kWh) with a driving range of 750 km (WLTP). Supported are AC charging (Type 2: 11 kW) and DC charging (CCS2: 250 kW).

Third setup (Long Range AWD) is a Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery (79 kWh) with a driving range of 660 km (WLTP). Supported are AC charging (Type 2: 11 kW) and DC charging (CCS2: 250 kW).

Fourth setup (Performance AWD) is a Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery (79 kWh) with a driving range of 571 km (WLTP). Supported are AC charging (Type 2: 11 kW) and DC charging (CCS2: 250 kW).

The new Model 3 features these conveniences.

E.g., Smart entry system (keyless entry, engine Start/Stop button, Tesla mobile app – Bluetooth key/unlocking, electric flush door handles), electronic-powered (handsfree: remote/key fob, infotainment, tailgate button, kick-sensor – height adjustment) tailgate, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking, walk-away-lock), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), automatic headlamps (On/Off/low-/high-beam/cornering/levelling), automatic windows (anti-pinch, one-touch up/down), door ajar warning, parking cameras (front, sides, rear: reverse, 360-degree), rear-view mirrors (exterior: BSCW, automatic-dimming, heating – interior: automatic-dimming), mobile app controlled ADAS (Tesla mobile app), interior illumination (LED: cabin/boot/ambient), dual-zone automatic climate control (rear air vents-dedicated controls, HEPA air filter-Bioweapon Defence Mode, remote cabin cooling) system, steering wheel (multi-switches, column adjustments, EPS), electronic-powered (driver/passenger: multi-way-adjust, multi-way-lumbar, ventilation, heating) Comfort (RWD, Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD) and Sport (Performance AWD) seats (front), manual-operated (40:20:40 split-fold, ventilation, heating) bolstered bench (rear), headrests (front, rear), armrests (front: centre console – rear: centre seat fold-out), panoramic glass sunroof (acoustic, dark tint, heat insulation, UV protect, sunshade), acoustic glasses (front, rear: windshields, side windows), interior storage areas, charging outlets (USBs, power socket, wireless charger), touchscreen displays (instrument cluster, infotainment, control unit, rear setup), multiple drive/interior modes, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Installed is a dual-zone automatic climate control (rear air vents-dedicated controls, HEPA air filter-Bioweapon Defence Mode, remote cabin cooling) system.

Propping-up the e-chassis is a suspension setup of double wishbones independent suspension (front) and a multi-link independent suspension (rear) with telescopic shock absorbers.

Included (Performance) is a ‘frequency selective damping’ (Tesla Adaptive Damping) system.

Overall, it is spacious with firm handling and is suitable as a daily driver. Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, the ride quality is satisfactory.

Good sound insulation, covering all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects. The cabin is serene, with the tyre, road and wind noises mostly hindered. 

Part of the aero-acoustic measures taken is the installation of acoustic glasses (front, rear: windshields, side windows).

The new Tesla Model 3 is built with a futuristic and sophisticatedly sporty appeal, offering style, performance, space and practicality.

A beautifully sculpted silhouette, it is very well designed with the clean and seamless lines donating a powerful overall contour.

Quality of the equipment and materials installed inside, impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

Ultimately, the new Model 3 e-saloon bargains more than just good looks, it also provides an energising driving pleasure with its fully electrified drive.