Tesla Model 3 Saloon

RWD 4dr Auto [2024]

When you think about it, what Tesla has achieved is nothing short of remarkable.

In just a few years, it has gone from non-existence to being a credible rival for the biggest names in the automotive world.

Other brands that aspire to join them have had to launch off-shoot entities to even stand a chance, and even then, few have succeeded.

But one common criticism unfairly levelled at Tesla is that most people assume it's out of their price range.

That’s mainly because they focus on the Model S and Model X – not currently available to lease as a right-hand drive model in the UK - or have only paid attention to social media videos about the insanity of their performance-focused versions, which usually come with an expensive premium attached.

If you’re among those critics, then consider leasing the Model 3.

It is very competitively priced, which might make you reconsider, especially at the entry-level level.

The Model 3 is Tesla's all-electric competitor to the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class saloons.

That said, the all-electric competition has been gathering pace in recent years, with the electric duo of the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 among the rivals.

The Model 3 is Tesla's cheapest model to lease, sitting beneath the sportier (and still-on-hiatus) Model S.

So how good is it really? We have taken one for a test drive to find out.