Comparison / Europe
Model 3 before and after Highland
The main choice here is between the usual steering levers and the redesigned Highland cabin. Dimensions have changed moderately; it is more important to check the ease of control, the necessary options and the condition of a particular car.
Model 3 · 2021–2023
Photo and licence
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) · CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes: decrease to 1280 × 853 px and compression in WebP; no framing and meaningful retouching. Derivative image - under the same license.
Model 3 · Highland
Cabins side by side
Model 3 · 2021–2023
Photo and licence
Brightness correction - Wikisympathisant · CC BY-SA 4.0. A version of the file from Wikimedia Commons is posted without further changes.
Model 3 · Highland
Photo and licence
Kazyakuruma · CC0. Changes: decrease to 1280 × 768 px and compression in WebP; no framing and meaningful retouching. Derivative image - under the same license.
On the left - the renewal of the previous body 2021-2023; on the right - Highland, which appeared in Europe in 2023. Both performances occur in the same calendar year. Late basic versions may differ from launch cars. Checked 2 October 2026.
Key differences
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| What to compare | Model 3 · 2021–2023 | Model 3 · Highland |
|---|---|---|
| Turner.Highland's current guidance outlines both options. | Separate left steering lever. | Buttons on the steering wheel or lever - depending on the execution. |
| Choice of direction of movementMeet the parking control before the test trip. | Right steering lever. | On-screen mode band; backup PRND on the ceiling console. |
| Second row screenCheck the availability on the car; in the manual - "if installed." | There is no standard rear touch screen. | The back screen is provided in terms of complete sets. |
| Sizes.General tables of manuals. Highland Performance has a length of 4,724 mm and other height parameters. | About 4,695 mm long; 1,850 mm without mirrors; base 2,875 mm. | RWD/Long Range: about 4,720 mm; width without mirrors and base the same. |
| Noise insulationTesla's April 2024 description for updated RWDs, LR AWDs and Performance; not a universal specification for late base versions. | Previous performance; the silence of a particular car evaluate taking into account the tires and the condition of the seals. | Tesla announced acoustic glazing in a circle and improved noise insulation. |
| Performance suspensionThat's the difference between Performance and not all Highland. | The previous performance does not apply to the new Adaptive Damping system. | The new Performance has adaptive shock absorbers. |
Two years - not two identical complete sets
Even before Highland, equipment changed. For example, Tesla indicates the transition of Model 3 for Europe to Tesla Vision without radar from April 2022. Ultrasonic parking sensors are a separate checkpoint; do not infer them only from the date of transition to the cameras.
The heat pump is checked on the car
The European Guidelines 2017-2023 combine several versions and suggest checking the presence of the pump through “Management → Software → More information about the car”. When buying a border car, use this check.
What to check on a test trip
Sit back, check the available adjustments, screen and climate. Take the same route in both cars. Compare comfort on comparable tyres; worn suspension or failed repairs can be more important than the name of the generation itself.
How to decide
Editorial pointers when comparing two listings.
Model 3 · 2021–2023
Consider, if the levers are convenient, arranges the equipment and found a well-groomed specimen. Check the battery, heating and repair history separately.
Model 3 · Highland
Consider if an updated cabin and comfort are important. Before buying, make sure that the desired screen, glass and functions are really in the selected configuration.
Primary sources
Technical figures come from Tesla documents. Buying advice is editorial; photographs show individual cars, not every car in a model period.
Tesla Model 3 2017–2023, EuropeTesla Model 3 2017–2023, Europe – Climate SystemTesla Model 3 2017–2023, Europe – cameras and sensorsTesla Model 3 2024+, Europe – salonTesla Model 3 2024+, Europe – Light and Turner ControlTesla Model 3 2024+, Europe – screen and transmission choiceTesla Support Portugal – European Model 3 transition to Tesla VisionTesla new Model 3 Performance: noise, glass and chassisTesla Model 3 2017–2023 – SizesTesla Model 3 2024+ - Sizes