Model 3 Long Range AWD

Overview

Three model generations and four years of sales dominance in Australia, and the question people still ask about the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD is the same: why pay $67,900 when Korean alternatives match most of the spec sheet for less? It is a fair question. The answer sits on a map — specifically, the one showing where you can charge at 250kW without pre-planning your route around third-party network availability.

The 2024 Highland update resolved the Model 3’s longest-running criticism. Previous builds felt sparse inside relative to the price; the Highland does not. A redesigned dashboard with soft-wrap materials, revised door trims, acoustic laminated glass, and a rear-seat infotainment screen repositioned the car as a genuine premium product rather than a technology device wearing a car’s body. That shift matters at a price point where buyers are also looking at the BMW i4, Polestar 2, and Kia EV6.

The Long Range AWD is the middle of three variants. The base RWD ($54,900) makes sense for city use; the Performance ($80,900) is for drivers who want 3.1-second acceleration over maximum range. The Long Range is the one that covers the most ground in every sense — more range than the Performance, more capability than the RWD, and a charging speed both cheaper variants cannot match.

Pricing & Variants

On-road costs vary by state. ACT and the NT currently have no stamp duty on EVs; Queensland and Victoria offer reduced rates. White is the only paint included in the base price — any other colour adds $1,500 to $2,500. Wheel upgrades run $1,500 to $3,000.

The $13,000 gap between the RWD and the Long Range buys dual-motor AWD, 116km of additional WLTP range, 80kW of additional DC charging speed, and noticeably better 80–120 km/h acceleration. For anyone doing regular highway driving, that premium pays for itself in trip time and charging stops reduced.

Performance

Two motors — induction at the front, permanent magnet synchronous at the rear — work together to produce what Tesla rates at 366kW peak output. In practice, that power is never abrupt. The Long Range AWD accelerates authoritatively from any speed without the sudden torque surge some EVs deliver at low throttle positions. Driving it quickly takes no adjustment period.

The 4.4-second 0–100 time is accurate in real-world conditions. What matters more on Australian roads is mid-range response: from 80 to 120 km/h, the car closes gaps instantly and safely, with none of the delay associated with an automatic petrol transmission selecting a lower gear.

AWD traction is managed invisibly. In rain and on loose surfaces, torque distribution between axles happens before wheelspin can occur — the driver never feels the system working, which is exactly how it should operate.

Ride and handling deserve more attention than they typically receive in EV coverage. The battery pack sits flat across the floor, lowering the centre of gravity significantly compared to a traditional sedan. The result is a car that corners with confidence and stays composed at motorway speed without suspension firmness that would make it tiring over long distances. Post-Highland, road and wind intrusion are considerably reduced — the cabin is quiet at 110 km/h.

One criticism stands: regenerative braking cannot be set to bring the car to a complete standstill without engaging hold mode separately. Several competitors have made this a single-setting toggle. It is a minor inconvenience, but one that other manufacturers solved years ago.

Range and Charging

The 629km WLTP rating is a laboratory result. Driving at 110 km/h on Australian highways with the air conditioning running will return between 490 and 540km, depending on ambient temperature, load, and elevation changes. Urban and suburban use, with more regeneration events, typically delivers 560 to 600km. Cold mornings in alpine regions or sustained driving into a headwind push the lower bound toward 440km — still enough for a Sydney to Canberra run without stopping.

Charging capability:

• V3 Supercharger (250kW DC peak): 10–80% in approximately 25 minutes. The car pre-conditions the battery pack when routing through a Supercharger, which maintains peak charge rates from the moment of arrival.
• Third-party DC (CCS Combo 2): Compatible with Chargefox Ultra-Rapid and Evie stations. Maximum accepted rate varies by site.
• Home AC (Type 2): 11kW on a three-phase connection charges a full battery in around 7.5 hours. A standard 7.4kW single-phase wallbox takes 11 to 12 hours.
• NACS adapters are available for emerging third-party NACS infrastructure.

Australia’s Supercharger coverage is the defining factor in the Long Range’s value proposition. As of early 2025, over 170 stations are active — on the Sydney–Melbourne and Sydney–Brisbane corridors, into Adelaide and Darwin, across the Perth metro area, and in regional centres including Dubbo, Townsville, and Launceston. The in-car trip planner integrates charge stops automatically and adjusts routing in real time based on current state of charge.

No competing manufacturer offers an equivalent proprietary network in Australia. Third-party networks are improving, but Supercharger reliability and station density remain materially ahead.

Interior and Technology

The Highland’s cabin changes are substantive, not cosmetic. Dashboard surfaces use a wrapped foam-backed material where earlier builds had hard plastic. The front seat structure was revised — cushion foam is denser and lateral bolstering is more defined. Ventilated fronts are available. A 13-speaker audio system is fitted across all variants.

The 15.4-inch centre display controls navigation, media, climate, charging settings, and most vehicle configuration. The interface is fast and the layout is sensible once learned. New drivers typically take one to two days to stop reaching for controls that are not there. Voice command coverage for common requests — navigation destinations, temperature adjustments, media control — is reliable.

The rear 8-inch passenger screen is new to the Highland. Rear occupants can adjust climate zones and select their own media source without interacting with the driver’s screen. For families and frequent carpoolers, it removes a real point of friction.

Software updates arrive over-the-air without requiring a service visit. Autopilot — lane centring combined with adaptive cruise control — is standard on all variants and performs well on motorways with clear lane markings. Full Self-Driving is available as a subscription ($199 per month) or outright purchase. It adds automatic lane changes and traffic light response, but Australian road markings and signage create edge cases that require active driver supervision. It is a driver assistance tool at this stage, not an autonomous system.

No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is supported. This is a deliberate product decision by Tesla and a genuine frustration for buyers accustomed to native phone integration.

Practicality

Sedan proportions are not a drawback here. The Model 3’s low roofline contributes directly to its 629km range — and the cabin still accommodates five adults with room for two six-foot passengers in the rear without meaningful head or knee restrictions.

Storage capacity:

• Boot: 594 litres — usable volume with a flat, wide floor
• Frunk: 88 litres — lockable; fits charging cables and a carry-on bag
• Cabin: centre console bin, dual cupholders, door pockets, rear seat centre armrest with integrated cupholder

Towing is rated at 910kg braked. That covers a small box trailer or a jetski — it does not cover a caravan, horse float, or standard boat trailer. Buyers with regular towing requirements should look at the BYD Shark, LDV eT60, or Ford F-150 Lightning instead.

The Model 3 has no Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) or Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV3, Kia EV5, and Kia EV6 all offer V2L — the ability to draw AC power directly from the battery to run appliances, tools, or emergency equipment. At a time when V2L is increasingly standard across Korean and Chinese EVs, Tesla’s absence of any bidirectional capability is a meaningful gap. The 80kWh battery pack in the Long Range AWD contains enough stored energy to power a house for two to three days, but none of it is accessible to the owner.

Safety

The Tesla Model 3 holds a five-star ANCAP rating. Standard active safety features across all variants include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Blind-spot monitoring with visual and audio alerts
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Speed sign recognition
• Forward collision warning with adjustable sensitivity

The Highland update added revised side curtain airbags and reinforcement to the B-pillar and roof structure. Passive safety results in independent testing have been consistently strong.

Tesla’s vision-based safety architecture uses eight external cameras and ultrasonic sensors. Independent assessment results in Australia have been positive for both AEB effectiveness and lane-keeping assist performance.

Running Costs and Ownership

Electricity: At a residential rate of $0.30/kWh, the Long Range AWD costs around $4.80 per 100km. Supercharger pricing at $0.55 to $0.65/kWh produces a cost of $8.70 to $10.30 per 100km on the road — still less than half the fuel cost of a comparable petrol sedan.

Servicing: Tesla specifies an annual inspection covering brake fluid, air filters, tyre rotation, and system checks. There is no engine oil, no timing belt, no transmission service. Most owners spend $250 to $400 per year on maintenance. Brake components last longer than on petrol equivalents because regenerative braking handles most deceleration before friction brakes engage.

Warranty: The vehicle warranty — four years or 80,000 kilometres — is the weakest coverage offered by any mainstream EV brand in Australia at this price. BYD provides six years and 150,000km. Hyundai covers five years with no kilometre limit. Kia covers seven years with no kilometre limit. Tesla’s eight-year battery and drive unit warranty is more competitive, but the short vehicle warranty should factor into any purchasing decision.

Incentives: The federal FBT exemption for zero-emission vehicles applies to eligible models below $91,387 drive-away. The Model 3 Long Range at $67,900 before on-road costs qualifies. Novated lease calculations vary by income and state — a salary packaging provider can model the net cost accurately.

Resale: Model 3 values in the Australian used market hold better than most EVs sold here. Factors include the Supercharger network (which buyers value), continuous software updates, and brand recognition. Depreciation projections show better retention at three and five years compared to Korean competitors, though this gap has narrowed as alternative brands establish service and charging infrastructure.

Verdict

Two things separate the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD from every rival in Australia: the furthest WLTP range in the mid-size segment, and the most developed charging network. Neither of those advantages is marginal. For any driver covering consistent weekly distances above 400km, or travelling interstate more than a few times a year, the combination produces a material reduction in trip planning, charging stops, and time spent waiting.

The short vehicle warranty is a real cost to factor in — at $67,900, four years of coverage is simply not enough against Korean rivals that offer seven years. The missing V2L capability will eliminate this car from consideration for buyers who want bidirectional energy use. And anyone expecting physical controls for the air conditioning will need to adjust expectations.

For urban commuters and occasional highway drivers, the Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 6 represent better value. For everything above that — long trips, regional travel, high annual kilometres — the Model 3 Long Range AWD is the car that best handles the full picture of Australian EV ownership today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the actual driving range of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD in Australia?

At 110 km/h with the air conditioning running, plan for 490 to 530km between charges. The 629km WLTP figure reflects a controlled test cycle at lower speeds without ancillary loads. Urban and mixed suburban driving typically returns 560 to 600km. Sustained cold-weather highway driving in the Australian Alps or Tasmania can push this lower — 440 to 460km is a conservative figure for those conditions.

Does the Tesla Model 3 Long Range support V2L?

No. The Model 3 does not offer Vehicle-to-Load or Vehicle-to-Home in any current variant. If the ability to power devices or feed energy back to a home is important, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV3, Kia EV5, and Kia EV6 all offer V2L at various price points.

How long does a full charge take?

At a V3 Supercharger, 10 to 80 per cent takes around 25 minutes. A home three-phase 11kW wallbox charges from near-empty in approximately 7.5 hours. A single-phase 7.4kW installation takes 11 to 12 hours. Overnight charging at home covers typical daily usage for most drivers regardless of charger type.

How does the Tesla Model 3 Long Range compare to the Kia EV6?

The Model 3 Long Range ($67,900) has more range (629km vs 582km), faster DC charging (250kW vs 240kW), and access to the Supercharger network. The EV6 counters with V2L, a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty, physical climate controls, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On paper they are close. In practice, the decision comes down to whether charging network access matters more to you than warranty length and energy flexibility.

Does the Tesla Model 3 Long Range qualify for the Australian FBT exemption?

Yes. The federal FBT exemption for zero-emission vehicles applies to cars under the relevant luxury car tax threshold — currently $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles. The Model 3 Long Range at $67,900 before on-road costs qualifies. Speak to a salary packaging provider for an accurate net-cost calculation based on your marginal income tax rate and state of registration.