Published on May 4th, 2023 | by Sounder Rajen

Re-Introduced Tesla Model 3 LR AWD Is Here And Its… Confusing

Everything about the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD just does not make sense

Okay, so for a while now, the United States market was holding its breath for the newly re-introduced Tesla Model 3 Long Range (LR) AWD model, which promised a much more powerful, convenient and reliable electric vehicle (EV) but now that the car is here, instead of cheering, many are confused by it. Let’s dive into it.

For some context, Tesla had closed its orders for the Tesla Model 3 LR AWD in August 2022, explaining the move by claiming demand was too high which caused an excessively long waiting queue and promising that it will return at some point in 2023. well, it re-appeared, but it has raised more questions than anything else.

Moreover, the new Tesla Model 3 LR AWD starts from USD47,240 (approximately RM210,360), and offers upwards of 523km of range, with a top speed of 233km/h, and a century sprint time of 4.2 seconds. So why is all this strange, it seems normal enough right? Let’s see why this might be confusing based on how one looks at it.

Firstly, despite being reintroduced and being called the long range version, the new Tesla Model 3 LR AWD actually has a shorter range than the previous version which was retired. The exact EPA range of the new version is unknown but it is expected to be at least 523km and 499km for the 18-inch and 19-inch wheel versions respectively.

I mean if the Tesla Model 3 LR AWD is going to have the words “long range” in its name, why give the car reduced range? So what caused this? Lower capacity batteries? After all, the slightly bigger and heavier Tesla Model Y LR AWD also has more range than this, so why bother with the Model 3 at all?

On top of that, while one would assume the Tesla Model 3 LR AWD would utilise the brand’s own in-house 4680-type cylindrical battery cells but in the United States, making the car eligible for the full USD7,500 (RM33,397) federal tax credit, but evidently, this is not the case as it only eligible for USD3,750 (RM16,699).

So why is this? Most likely either the battery in the Tesla Model 3 LR AWD either did not meet the requirements of having either 40 percent of the value of critical minerals being mined or processed in the United States (or FTA countries), or recycled in North America or 50 percent of the value of battery components not being manufactured or assembled in North America. Meaning it is a foreign battery, why?

While all this is highly confusing, it is still not as confusing as the price of the Tesla Model 3 LR AWD. Now, even though the car is cheaper than the previously retired version, averaging around USD45,130 (RM200,964), most other Tesla models are much cheaper, so why would anyone even want this car then?