Even the slowest Model 3 can reach 62mph in approximately six seconds

A great advantage of the Model 3 is unfettered access to Tesla’s extremely reliable and well-located network of chargers, which allow you to plug in and charge without having to faff around with an app or a contactless card. So if you want an EV that will make the charging process as easy as possible, the Model 3 may well be for you.

The Model 3 received an extensive revision in 2023, with refreshed styling and a series of upgrades under the skin, especially to the Performance model. Newer models are not entirely improved, however; the removal of the indicator stalk in favour of buttons on the steering wheel makes them more fiddly to use.

How old is it? This first-generation Tesla Model 3 went on sale in the UK in 2019

How much does it cost? Prices start from £11,000

What’s good about it? Excellent charging infrastructure, lots of space, agile, fast, long range

What’s not so good? Firm ride, build quality and reliability concerns, growing image problem

Is it big enough for my family?
The Model 3 is a five-seater – there’s no seven-seat option such as there was in the larger Model S, nor in the Model Y SUV. But all five of those seats offer plenty of room – most notably in the back, thanks to a flat floor and impressive leg room.

You’ll have no problem fitting two child seats next to each other; the large rear doors with their tall apertures mean it’s easy to strap them in. The flat floor even means you can get a leg into the footwell to angle your body better towards the seats you’re installing.

The boot is huge, too, with 561 litres of space, with an additional 88 litres in the storage compartment beneath the bonnet. The only downside is that boot access is limited by the fact the Model 3 is a saloon – which means it isn’t quite as versatile as the hatchback tailgate of some rivals.