Tesla Model 3 "Highland" Refresh Review

For years, the Tesla Model 3 has been the benchmark for electric vehicle range and software. However, owners often complained about two things: a stiff, noisy ride and an interior that felt sparse rather than premium. With the 2024 “Highland” refresh, Tesla has directly addressed these criticisms. This isn’t just a facelift. It is a comprehensive mature update that changes how the car feels on the road.

The Suspension Overhaul: Finally Comfortable

The most significant change in the Highland update is invisible from the outside. The previous Model 3 was known for a sporty but harsh ride. You felt every pothole and expansion joint. Tesla completely reworked the suspension geometry and hardware to fix this.

Frequency Selective Damping

Tesla introduced new shock absorbers with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD). This technology allows the suspension to react differently based on the speed of the wheel movement.

  • Small Bumps: The valves open up to soak up road chatter and minor imperfections.
  • Hard Cornering: The valves stiffen to maintain handling and reduce body roll.

The result is a ride quality that rivals luxury sedans like the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class. The “crashy” feeling over sharp bumps is largely gone.

Bushings and Mounts

To further isolate the cabin, Tesla redesigned the suspension bushings and the way the subframe mounts to the chassis. These rubber components are softer and more compliant than before. They filter out the high-frequency vibrations that used to buzz through the floor and steering wheel.

A Quiet Cabin: The Acoustic Glass Upgrade

Alongside the suspension changes, Tesla waged a war on noise. The pre-refresh Model 3 often suffered from excessive wind and tire noise at highway speeds.

The Highland update introduces 360-degree acoustic glass. Previously, only the front windows were double-pane laminated glass. Now, the rear windows and the back windshield also feature this sound-dampening material.

Combined with increased sound insulation behind the trim panels, the cabin is significantly quieter. Measurements suggest a 30% reduction in wind noise and a 20% reduction in road noise. You can now hold a conversation at 70 mph without raising your voice.

Interior Redesign: The "Lounge" Vibe

The interior has moved from “minimalist” to “premium.” The harsh lines are gone, replaced by a wraparound design that flows from the door panels across the dashboard.

Ambient Lighting

For the first time in a Model 3, Tesla included an active ambient lighting strip. This LED band runs along the base of the windshield and wraps around to the rear doors. You can customize the color via the center screen. It adds warmth to the cabin at night, fixing the “dark cave” feeling of the older models.

Material Quality

Tesla replaced the wood trim (on some configurations) and hard plastics with softer textiles and perforated materials. The center console feels sturdier, and the sliding covers operate with a smoother damping mechanism. The assembly quality appears much tighter, with consistent panel gaps and no rattling parts.

Ventilated Seats

A massive win for drivers in hot climates is the inclusion of standard ventilated front seats. You can control the cooling intensity through the Tesla app before you even get in the car. The seats themselves have also been reshaped with better bolstering for long-distance comfort.

The Controversial Stalkless Steering

While the comfort upgrades are universally praised, the interface changes are polarizing. Tesla removed all stalks from the steering column.

  • Turn Signals: These are now haptic buttons on the left side of the steering wheel. While this looks clean, it can be frustrating to find the correct button while the wheel is turned during a roundabout or a sharp turn.
  • Gear Shifter: The physical gear stalk is gone. You now shift into Drive or Reverse using a slider on the left side of the touchscreen. There is also an overhead panel with capacitive buttons as a backup, and the car uses “Auto Shift out of Park” to guess which direction you want to go based on obstacles.

This learning curve is steep. New owners should expect a few days of adjustment before muscle memory takes over.

Rear Seat Technology

Passengers in the back seat received a major upgrade in the form of an 8-inch touchscreen mounted on the back of the center console. This isn’t just a gimmick. It offers real functionality:

  • Climate Control: Passengers can adjust their own airflow and heated seats.
  • Entertainment: The screen supports YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+. You can pair Bluetooth headphones specifically to the rear screen so passengers can watch a movie while the driver listens to music upfront.
  • Seat Adjustment: The rear passenger can move the front passenger seat forward to create more legroom.

Audio and Efficiency Specifications

The Long Range model now features a 17-speaker sound system (up from 14), including two dedicated subwoofers and two amplifiers. The clarity and bass response are exceptional, arguably better than premium systems found in cars costing twice as much. The Rear-Wheel Drive model gets a 9-speaker system.

Efficiency has also improved thanks to aerodynamic tweaks. The front end is sleeker, and the headlights are thinner. The drag coefficient has dropped to 0.219 Cd, making it one of the most aerodynamic cars in the world.

  • Standard Range RWD: Approx. 272 miles.
  • Long Range AWD: Approx. 341 miles.

The top speed is capped at 125 mph for standard models, which is lower than the previous generation, largely due to the use of comfort-focused tires that are not rated for ultra-high speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the new Model 3 have a front bumper camera? No. Despite rumors, the Highland refresh relies on Tesla Vision (cameras behind the windshield and on the fenders/bumpers) but lacks a dedicated nose camera for parking. It also does not use ultrasonic sensors.

Did the price increase with the refresh? Tesla kept pricing very competitive. While prices fluctuate frequently, the base Rear-Wheel Drive model starts around $38,990, and the Long Range is approximately $47,740.

Is there a Performance “Ludicrous” model? Yes, a Performance version (often referred to as Ludicrous in leaks) is expected to follow the initial launch. It will likely feature different bucket seats, upgraded brakes, and more aggressive suspension tuning compared to the comfort-focused base models.

Does the screen tilt like in the Model S? No. The 15.4-inch center screen is fixed and does not motorized tilt toward the driver or passenger. However, the screen is brighter and has thinner bezels than the previous version.