After seven months and 9,200 miles with the refreshed 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD on 18-inch wheels, here’s how it holds up in real commuting and multi-state road trips, including efficiency across seasons, charging behavior, comfort, and driver-assist performance.
My car is the 2024 Model 3 Long Range AWD (MSRP around $47,000 before destination), dual-motor with an estimated usable battery capacity near 75 kWh. EPA range is 341 miles on the 18-inch aero wheels, and Tesla quotes a 0–60 mph time around 4.2 seconds. Charging hardware includes a 250 kW peak compatible with V3 Superchargers and an 11.5 kW onboard AC charger for home. Testing covered a 28-mile round-trip commute, two 1,000-mile highway weekends, and mixed Midwest weather from 10°F winters to 95°F summers.
I used a 48A wall connector at home (11.5 kW, roughly 44–46 miles of range per hour) and primarily Superchargers on trips. Build quality on my car has been solid—tight panel gaps and no persistent rattles. My phone-based sound meter shows about 67 dBA at 70 mph on smooth asphalt, climbing a couple dB on coarse surfaces. Performance is robust and consistent.
Throttle response is immediate, with strong midrange passing power even at 70 mph. The chassis feels more tied down than earlier Model 3s I’ve driven: firm but controlled over broken pavement, with well-managed body motions and accurate, medium-weight steering. Standard regen is strong enough to make most driving one-pedal; the blend to friction brakes is smooth, and I noticed no fade in repeated downhill runs. On all-season tires, winter traction was predictable, though hard launches can trigger the stability systems on icy starts.
Efficiency has been the standout. Over 9,200 miles I’m averaging 3.9 mi/kWh (about 256 Wh/mi): roughly 3.4 mi/kWh in subfreezing commutes and 4.2 mi/kWh in mild weather. At $0.14/kWh residential rates, my energy cost averages around 3.6¢/mile. On road trips, preconditioning reliably enabled peak Supercharging; typical 10–80% sessions ran 27–30 minutes when the pack was warm.
The charging curve is happiest from ~10–60% if you’re time-sensitive, and cold-soaked batteries in single-digit temps do cut initial power until warmed. Cabin upgrades help daily livability. My car has heated (front and rear) and ventilated front seats, a quieter cabin than pre-refresh cars, and a small rear screen for climate/media. The new stalkless controls took a week to acclimate to; lane-change signaling by thumb button is fine now, but newcomers will miss a traditional stalk.
Basic Autopilot’s lane centering and adaptive cruise are steady, with a few mild phantom slowdowns under complex overpasses. No CarPlay/Android Auto, but Bluetooth streaming and native apps cover basics. Cargo is practical (about 23 cu ft total with frunk) and the 60/40 split seats swallow a stroller and two carry-ons easily. Maintenance has been light: a tire rotation at 6,000 miles ($60) and washer fluid.
Mobile service quickly handled a minor seat trim squeak under warranty. After 9,200 miles, the factory all-seasons are wearing evenly (down to 7/32 from ~9/32 new); at this rate I expect 25–30k miles. Overall, the 2024 Model 3 Long Range is an efficient, quick, and quiet daily driver that excels if you have home charging. For frequent road-trippers, Superchargers keep anxiety low; if you rely solely on mixed third-party public charging, plan routes carefully.
