Owning a 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance taught me a lot about what working daily with an EV really feels like includng the highs, the compromises, and the moments of frustration.
When I drove the new 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), I was struck by just how far things have changed. On paper, they may look close; in practice, the leap feels much larger.
Here’s how my perspective shifted, and whether I can be convinced to go back.
My 2019 Model 3 Performance: A mixed affair
Starting with what I loved: the acceleration was addictive. You stomped on the pedal and the car leapt forward—instant torque, clean delivery, zero lag. The handling was sharp, and it was fun when the roads allowed it. It was a proper “sporty EV” in many respects.
But there were trade-offs. The Performance’s efficiency was never its strong suit. On longer trips I’d constantly monitor consumption, hoping I had enough buffer. Range anxiety was real. Supercharger sessions, while fast, still felt like interruptions. In winter, or in tougher conditions, the drop in range stung more sharply. Cabin noise, road harshness, and material finish sometimes reminded you it wasn’t quite premium. Also, servicing quirks and occasional reliability little irritants crept in.
Over time, I found myself justifying whether the excitement was worth the daily compromises.
The 2025 Model 3 Long Range RWD: A more balanced EV
Having driven the 2025 Model 3 (Long Range, RWD), the advances add up to more than incremental tweaks. Below is where the contrast hits hardest, through the lens of what I learned from my old Performance.
Range, Efficiency and Real-World Usability
This is perhaps the biggest shift. The Long Range RWD version now claims 436 miles WLTP on a full charge.
For perspective, the older rear-wheel version was at 323 miles. That’s a massive leap in usable territory, especially in real conditions. In my recent Wales trip, I arrived just 4 % below predicted range, and motorway running deviated only about 1 %. That kind of consistency and margin changes the mindset from “Can I make it?” to “I’ll be fine.”
Efficiency is improved too: On paper it states 20.1 kWh/100 miles for this model. The better aerodynamics, quieter body, improved insulation—all help. Those incremental gains in drag, sealing, weight management add up in the real world. What once felt like pushing every limit becomes normalised, and that ease is compelling.
Because of that, range anxiety recedes—not entirely gone, but no longer a daily calculation. The 2019’s frequent mental checks feel antiquated.
Performance vs Practical Speed
The Performance version was always about extremes—bragging rights, sharper cornering, aggressive sound. But in everyday use, how often did you genuinely exploit that? In contrast, the 2025 Long Range RWD still promises 0–60 in 4.9 seconds. That’s more than enough for most overtakes, motorway merges and spirited driving. Unless you’re chasing bragging rights, the Long Range RWD is the smarter buy.
In other words, you trade a little peak excitement for much more practicality and that feels like the right swap in my opinion.
Quiet, Comfort, Cabin Quality
One of my recurring complaints with the 2019 Performance was its shell in harsh conditions—road noise, wind intrusion, rattles. The 2025 Model 3 has made big strides: improved soundproofing, 360° acoustic glass, better seals, refined suspension. The result is a cabin you can relax in at motorway speeds without raising your voice. Having been in the older one and felt that noise fatigue, I know how much it erodes enjoyment on long routes.
Interior materials, lighting, seating (ventilated now), ambient touches—all contribute to a more premium feel.
What once felt like a tech demonstrator is now a more mature, lived-in space. Those are the details that wear on you over years: the creaky trim, plasticky surfaces, noise masking imperfections.
Charging Infrastructure, Ecosystem, and Daily Life
One of Tesla’s persistent advantages is its charging network. In all my time with the 2019, it remained the most hassle-reduced part of EV ownership. The Supercharger network gives you a confidence envelope many other EVs struggle to match. The 2025 continues to benefit from that, and likely even more so as the network grows. Also for daily use, you’re probably charging at home (I know we did).
What’s changed is that the bigger range means fewer detours into chargers, fewer anxieties about “will this take me just a bit further than I thought?” The balance of home charging, fast charging stops and everyday usage smoothed out. The 2019 sometimes felt like it was constantly flirting with limits; the 2025 feels like it’s designed to exceed them.
Software and usability refinements in the review—more responsive interface, better shortcuts, rear passengers having a screen, ambient lighting integration—reinforce that Tesla has learned from its earlier flaws and user feedback. These are the sort of quality-of-life shifts that can tip the scale when you’re deciding whether to re-enter the EV world.
Can I be convinced to go back to an EV?
Given all of this, the question becomes: would I do it again, given what I know now?
The answer is leaning toward yes, subject to price and deals. More on that another time!
The 2025 Model 3, especially in the Long Range RWD form, has closed many of the gaps that nagged me in my 2019 Performance. The range boost and improved real-world consistency reduce stress. The daily comfort is on a different level. The balance between enough performance and far better efficiency feels like a mature compromise I’d gladly accept.
I’d still want assurances: that charging in my area is solid, that long-term reliability and service support are strong, that software updates are stable. But those are now secondary concerns. The fundamental barriers—the range limitations, the noise, the harsh trade-offs—have been greatly softened. Where before I felt I was making concessions to live with an EV, now it feels like choosing something I won’t miss much by catching myself in petrol or hybrid territory.
So yes, I can be convinced to go back. The 2025 Model 3 is no longer just a bold experiment; it feels like the EV future I was waiting for.
