Tesla Model 3 Owner Review: Living with the 2020 Long Range AWD

Back in 2020, my driving life looked very different. I was commuting between Southport and Sheffield three times a week behind the wheel of an Audi RS5. When I decided it was time to make the switch to electric, I wanted something that offered a very similar level of high-performance acceleration and thrills, but with the massive bonus of drastically reducing my monthly fuel bill. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range fit the brief perfectly, and after five years of ownership, it remains my first electric vehicle.

Vehicle Specifications

• Make & Model: Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD 4dr Auto

• Exterior Colour: Pearl White (customised with an aftermarket body kit)

• Battery Capacity: 79kWh usable (approx. 82kWh gross Lithium-ion)

• Power & Torque: Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (approx. 434 PS / 324 kW)

• 0–62 mph: 4.2 seconds

• Official WLTP Range: Up to 360 miles

• Charging Speeds: Up to 11kW AC (home/destination) and up to 250kW DC Supercharging (10–80% in approx. 27 minutes).

   

The Positives & Custom Styling

Having covered over 50,000 miles, the core strengths of the Model 3 are hard to ignore:

• Blistering Performance & Running Costs: The acceleration is addictive, and the day-to-day running costs are exceptionally low compared to my old petrol sports car. It’s much cheaper to run than our other household cars—my wife’s petrol Ford Focus and our diesel Mercedes C-Class estate.

• Visual Upgrades: While the car came in standard specification from the factory, I’ve personalized it with a unique aftermarket body kit that gives it a much more aggressive, standout road presence.

   

• Clever Tech & Phone Key: My favourite piece of daily tech is the phone key—walking up to the car and having it unlock automatically without ever pulling out a fob makes everyday life just a little bit better. I also love the custom lock sound and winding down with the theatre app when waiting around.

   

The Negatives: Passenger Comfort & Layout

No car is flawless, and over five years some distinct frustrations have become apparent:

• Rear Passenger Experience: It is quite simply horrible to be a passenger in the back of a Model 3 on longer journeys. The seating position and rear visibility aren’t the best for adults.

   

• Boot Practicality: As much as the saloon boot works, a hatchback layout would be far more useful for loading bulky items or luggage.

Battery Performance & Range

When charging up to an 80% daily limit, I achieve a reliable year-round average range of around 200 miles.

As for long-term health, battery capacity hasn’t seen any major degradation under normal operation, though I did experience a dramatic failure when my high-voltage battery failed just after the car turned five years old. Fortunately, Tesla stood by their warranty and replaced the entire battery pack.

Reliability, Warranty & Maintenance

Owning an early Model 3 for over half a decade means I’ve experienced both sides of Tesla’s reliability. While the car was under warranty, I had a few issues rectified, including front suspension work and a couple of camera glitches, alongside the major battery replacement at the five-year mark.

Now that the car is outside its factory warranty, I’ve run into some rear suspension wear that I have to cover myself. Fortunately, a local independent garage has recently become an authorised Tesla service centre, which means repair bills will be significantly lower than taking it back to a main Tesla facility. For insurance, I’m fully covered through LV, which has been straightforward to deal with.

Home Charging & Public Networks

I do the vast majority of my charging at home via a dedicated home wallbox paired with the E.ON Next EV tariff (NextDrive). My one minor gripe is with modern ‘smart’ charging apps—I prefer things to stay simple and dumb, allowing me to decide precisely when I want to plug in and charge rather than automated software making decisions for me.

When venturing further afield on longer trips, I stick strictly to Tesla Superchargers. I’ve had negative experiences trying to use other public networks in the past, whereas the Supercharger network remains utterly seamless, reliable, and stress-free.

What’s Next on My EV Radar?

Having lived with my modified Model 3 for over five years, if I were to trade in my keys tomorrow, there is nothing currently on the market that has caught my eye or tempted me enough to make a change.

Review by Aaron