The Fastest RWD Electric Car In 2024

In the world of electric vehicles, very few brands are as popular as Tesla, despite the market growing year by year. Tesla has ensured that it constantly sets the standard for its vehicles, whether sedans or SUVs, to keep the American brand as the face of the EV market in 2024.

Overall, Tesla offers five different models for the 2024 model year, with the re-engineered Model 3 sedan remaining the most affordable Tesla to buy outright. Being powered by a single electric motor at the rear axle, the 2024 Tesla Model 3 manages to provide performance that no other rear-wheel-drive electric car can in 2024 at one of the most affordable prices.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including fueleconomy.gov, CarEdge, and Motor Trend.

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 RWD Boasts A Top Speed Of 125 MPH

Due to being a rear-wheel-drive model, the 2024 Tesla Model 3 has just one electric motor driving the rear axle. Overall, the all-new Model 3 produces 257 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, leading to solid speeds all around.

Although it does not match the all-wheel-drive models in terms of outright speed, the base rear-wheel-drive 2024 Model 3 still manages to outperform every electric car with the same layout. The entry-level Tesla sedan can reach a top speed of 125 miles per hour, which is plenty of speed for everyday driving and for its affordable price tag.

0-60 MPH In 5.8 Seconds

Generally, all-electric cars tend to boast much better acceleration capabilities instead of top speed, thanks to their more torque-heavy output at lower RPM compared to combustion engine cars. This is due to the instant torque delivery of electric motors, which the American brand attempts to make the most of with the entry-level Model 3.

2024 Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel-Drive Performance Specifications

Tesla rates the 2024 Model 3 with rear-wheel-drive to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 5.8 seconds, but independent testing beat this prediction by 0.2 seconds, giving the sedan an even better time compared to its rivals. This impressive acceleration performance of electric vehicles is one of the key advantages that attract many car enthusiasts to embrace electric mobility.

272 Miles Of Range On A Full Charge

One of the biggest incentives for electric cars is the unbeatable efficiency ratings. As per the EPA, the base-level 2024 Model 3 is rated at 140 MPGe in the city and 125 MPGe on the highway, averaging out at 132 MPGe combined. Over the course of five years, you can expect to save up to $6,750 in comparison to a gas-powered car in 2024.

With an EPA-estimated range of 272 miles on a single charge, the 2024 Model 3 Rear-Wheel-Drive once again outperforms some of its key competitors. You can also charge up to 175 miles in 15 minutes. Finding a station to charge should also not be too much trouble, with 2,234 supercharger stations located across the United States.

In Comparison With The Higher Model 3 Trims

As with all other Tesla models in 2023, the Model 3 comes with multiple different trims for you to choose from, each of which offers a different powertrain. The mid-spec 2024 Model 3 is named the Long Range All-Wheel-Drive, adding another electric motor to the front axle. This provides a power output of 491 horsepower and 364 pound-feet of torque, allowing a better 0 to 60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The overall top speed remains the same, however.

Moving up to the top-spec Model 3 Performance, this trim has been receiving quite a lot of attention produced by the redesigned electric sedan. The all-wheel-drive Model 3 Performance now produces 510 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque, which drastically improves its speed. With a top speed of 163 miles per hour and a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.9 seconds, the top-spec Model 3 has enough speed to rival the very best sports cars on the market.

Starting At Just $38,990

With a starting price of just $38,990, the 2024 Tesla Model 3 is one of the most affordable electric sedans on the market this year, only beaten by the Hyundai Ioniq 6. Both leasing and financing are available for the 2024 Model 3, with the former costing $299 per month and the latter costing $653 per month.

Tesla doesn’t offer as much customization for the Model 3 compared to some of its rivals but it still gives you the opportunity to create a color combination to suit your taste. The most expensive exterior color will cost an extra $2,000, with the white interior theme costing the same amount.

You also have the choice of the larger 19-inch Nova wheels, which add another $1,000, but Tesla estimates a lesser overall range of 248 with these wheels. When equipped with the full self-driving capability package and all three accessories, the 2024 Model 3 Rear-Wheel-Drive comes to $51,990, excluding additional fees.

Despite many electric cars fetching headlines recently due to how quickly they depreciate in comparison to combustion and hybrid-powered cars, Tesla is a brand that manages to hold its value for their models incredibly well. According to CarEdge, a Tesla Model 3 will only depreciate by 21 percent over five years, which is considerably better than some electric cars that loose almost half their value in one year.

Receiving A Refresh For The 2024 Model Year

While the Model 3 was already one of the most modern entry-level electric cars on the market, the 2024 refresh for the compact sedan has taken the classic minimal Tesla design to new heights. Thanks to the revised wrap-around acoustic glass, the new model’s cabin has been made quieter. It also includes new features such as ambient lighting and ventilated cloth-finished seats. Tesla says the quality of the materials throughout the cabin has improved for the 2024 refresh.

Intuitive Technology And Safety All-Around

Historically, the Model 3 has fallen behind its rivals for its standard technology equipment and safety features overall. However, Tesla has made some improvements to the entry-level sedan, with a 15.4-inch center touchscreen display taking center stage.

Moving to the rear, the 2024 model introduces an 8-inch display so that the rear passengers can control their own climate and infotainment settings. Tesla still doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as they put a heavy emphasis on in-house systems.

You do get the all-new Tesla audio system, which includes nine speakers with a single amplifier in the base rear-wheel-drive model. The higher specs get a 17-speaker system. While the Model 3 comes standard with Autopilot, for an extra $8,000, you can opt for the somewhat infamous full self-driving package, which comes with features such as full navigation, auto-lane change, auto park, and auto-steer, to name a few.

The Tesla Model 3 is also built with safety at the forefront, with the battery pack, crumple zones, and overall structural integrity all being designed from the ground-up to help Tesla be one of the most renowned manufacturers when it comes to safety. Although still limited compared to its rivals, the 2024 Model 3 comes with standard safety features such as:

• Lane Assist
• Forward Collision Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Obstacle-Aware Acceleration
• Speed Assist

In Comparison With Its Rivals

Although no rear-wheel-drive electric car manages to rival the 2024 Model 3 when it comes to speed, the entry-level Tesla still faces some tough competition from around the world that should most definitely be considered. While performance is more spread about, the pricing for compact electric sedans is one of the most competitive areas in the EV scene.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6

As mentioned before, the Model 3 is only slightly below the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 in terms of being the cheapest electric sedan on sale in 2024. The base rear-wheel-drive Ioniq 6 SE starts at $37,500, which is only ever-so-slightly below its Tesla rivals. While its top speed hasn’t been officially rated, the Ioniq 6 produces a lesser 149 horsepower and 285 pound-feet of torque.

2024 BMW i4

Another rival that comes in slightly more expensive than both the Model 3 and Ioniq 6 in 2024 is the BMW i4 eDrive35. Set for a refresh in 2024, the i4 is the smallest electric car that the German brand offers in 2024, starting at $52,200.

Despite having more power in the base 2024 i4 compared to the Tesla Model 3, producing 282 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the BMW offers an equal predicted 0 to 60 mph time of 5.8 seconds, and a lesser 118 miles per hour top speed. This puts the cheapest Tesla on sale in 2024 ahead of its key European rival in terms of speed, even though it costs more than $13,000 less.