2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD Review

As the new energy vehicle market in Malaysia continues to expand, competition in the mid-sized pure electric sedan segment is becoming increasingly intense—consumers are seeking both practical range and intelligent features as well as driving comfort. The 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD has become a popular choice under such demand conditions. As the brand's mass-market model, it features long range, all-wheel drive, and its signature minimalist smart experience as its core selling points. Many potential buyers are curious whether its actual performance lives up to its reputation in the market. This review will focus on static design, spatial practicality, dynamic driving, and range capabilities to provide a genuine reference for interested buyers.

From the exterior, the Model 3 Long Range AWD continues the brand’s characteristic minimalist style, with smooth and low-slung lines, and an aerodynamic design with a drag coefficient of only 0.23, which ensures its range and enhances its sporty feel. The front lacks the traditional air intake grille of fuel cars, with a rounded hood line echoing the sharp LED headlamp clusters on both sides. The daytime running lights are shaped like "eagle eyes," making them highly recognizable. The car's side profile features a fastback design, hidden door handles, and 18-inch aerodynamic wheels, further optimizing aerodynamics. At the rear, the ducktail spoiler connects to the transverse LED taillights, which light up in segments during braking, showcasing detailed technology. The lighting system comes standard across the board with LED sources, including automatic headlights, front fog lights, and rear fog lights, ensuring daily convenience and night visibility.

Once inside, the Model 3 interior adheres to a "button-free design" philosophy, with a single 15-inch horizontal LCD touchscreen on the dashboard through which nearly all functionalities are operated. The interior materials mainly consist of Leatherette (synthetic leather), with neatly crafted stitching on the seats and door panels, offering a tactile sense of quality. The front seats feature 8-way electric adjustment, with an additional 4-way driver’s lumbar support, while the rear seats have a 60/40 split-fold heated bench, which can be folded to connect with the trunk to expand storage space. In terms of spatial performance, the body dimensions are 4694mm/1850mm/1442mm (length/width/height), with a wheelbase of 2875mm. The headroom for a front row passenger standing 180cm tall is about a fist, while the rear row offers over two fists of legroom, though the headspace is slightly tighter due to the fastback design, but sufficient for daily family use. The trunk offers a standard capacity of 425L, which, together with the 88L front trunk storage space, meets the needs for long-distance travel or carrying large items. Configuration-wise, the car comes standard with features like a HUD digital head-up display, a 14-speaker Sound Plus audio system, dual-zone automatic air conditioning (with rear air vents), and 220V/230V power interfaces. The multifunctional steering wheel integrates shortcut buttons for volume adjustment and driving assistance, and once accustomed, the operation logic is quite user-friendly.

In terms of power, the Model 3 Long Range AWD is equipped with dual front and rear permanent magnet synchronous motors, delivering a combined system power of 346 horsepower and a peak torque of 559N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration takes only 4.4 seconds. During actual driving, after shifting into D gear and pressing the accelerator, the power response is almost instantaneous, with a noticeable push-back sensation at takeoff. Mid-to-high-speed acceleration is equally strong; pressing the accelerator down while overtaking allows the motor to quickly provide torque, with highway acceleration performance far surpassing that of similar fuel-powered cars. The vehicle offers Comfort, Standard, and Sport driving modes. In Comfort mode, power output is relatively smooth, suitable for daily commuting, while Sport mode significantly enhances throttle sensitivity, and steering becomes more stable. Regarding handling, the combination of the front double-wishbone independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension is tuned towards sportiness. The steering is precise with minimal play, and the body exhibits excellent rollover control when cornering, instilling confidence in the driver. On bumpy city roads, the suspension filters out most minor vibrations; however, when encountering speed bumps or larger potholes, rear passengers might feel slight bouncing. Overall, it balances sportiness and daily comfort well.

Range and energy consumption are the key concerns for EV users. The Model 3 Long Range AWD has an EPA range of 602km. In this evaluation, the vehicle was tested under mixed driving conditions (30% urban congestion + 50% highway cruising + 20% suburban roads) with the air conditioning and audio system on throughout, and the regenerative braking set to "Standard" mode. The final range achievement rate was about 85%, with an actual driving distance of approximately 512km. At a highway cruising speed of 110km/h, the energy consumption was about 16.8kWh/100km, while in urban congestion conditions, the energy consumption was slightly higher at about 18.2kWh/100km. Overall, energy efficiency performance meets expectations. In terms of noise control, the vehicle effectively suppresses tire and wind noise, and cabin conversations remain clear even at a speed of 120km/h on the highway, with only slight electric motor noise heard during rapid acceleration. The seats offer moderate support and cushioning, making long drives less tiring, and the heated rear seats are particularly practical during rainy or cool weather.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2022 Model 3 Long Range AWD are concentrated in three areas: First, the combination of long range and all-wheel drive not only meets the needs of long-distance travel but also enhances driving stability on slippery roads; second, the minimalist and intelligent interior design combined with comprehensive standard configurations—such as HUD, 14-speaker audio system, and automatic parking—provides great value for money without requiring additional options; and third, its sporty handling offers notable driving pleasure among mid-sized electric sedans. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor, the Model 3 holds advantages in driving range and brand recognition. When compared to the BYD Han EV Long Range version, it excels in the maturity of intelligent driving assistance and acceleration performance.

This car is better suited for two types of users: First, families who value the practicality of range and intelligent experience. With a 2875mm wheelbase, it meets the daily space needs of family use, and the long range minimizes the need for frequent charging. Second, young people who pursue driving quality, as the 4.4-second acceleration and precise handling deliver considerable driving pleasure. However, users who prioritize rear headroom or have a preference for traditional physical buttons may need time to adapt to its fastback design and minimalist interior. Overall, the 2022 Model 3 Long Range AWD is a well-balanced mid-sized electric sedan that strikes a good balance among range, intelligence, and driving experience, remaining one of the core choices in this segment.