Why is everyone buying the Tesla Model 3?
Car changing is a big deal
The Tesla Model 3 was the UK’s best-selling electric car in August 2026, but what exactly makes it so popular?
Sales of electric cars rose by 28% in August 2026 compared to last year, and the Tesla Model 3 was the most popular EV by some margin. Almost 1,300 of them found homes, over 400 more than the next best-selling model – which happened to be the Tesla Model Y.
So why are people flocking to Tesla dealers to buy this electric saloon car? I have a few theories.
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1. It’s really well-priced
The Tesla Model 3 is an alternative to cars such as the Mercedes CLA Electric, BYD Seal and the BMW i4, but it’s a fair bit cheaper than any of those models.
Prices start from just under £38,000, which is around £1,000 less than the Mercedes, £7,700 less than the BYD and £16,000 cheaper than the BMW. There are also some tempting lease deals, with prices starting from around £275 per month over three years and 24,000 miles.
You can also pay £45,000 for the Model 3 Premium, which adds upgraded suspension, posher interior materials, a better sound system and ambient lighting. This model also gets an impressive 466 miles of range, which is more than any alternative except the CLA Electric.
2. Tesla’s Supercharger network
As someone who doesn’t have access to a home charger, I find topping up a lot of EVs quite tedious. Many charge points require activating via an app, which is all well and good until you’re stuck in a car park with poor phone signal and you can’t get the thing to work.
The Tesla Supercharger network, however, is by far the best I’ve used.
Your account is attached to your car, so you just rock up, plug in and you’re charging. It’s never let me down, and there are Supercharger sites in most major motorway service stations.
It’s also cheaper than most rapid charge points. I’ve paid as much as 90 pence per kWh at some stations, but Tesla drivers pay less than 50 pence per kWh at a Supercharger.
3. The tech is top-notch
Tesla is more of a tech company than a car company, and that shows in the infotainment system.
The central screen is one of the best in the business. It’s really easy to use, super-responsive and the graphics are good as well. I can even forgive the lack of smartphone mirroring, because Tesla’s software is so good.
It is still a bit annoying that there are no physical buttons, and I’d like a driver’s display as well instead of showing your speed on the central screen.
So the Model 3 is affordable, offers impressive range, gives you full access to one of the UK’s best charging networks and it’s packing brilliant software. That’s why I think this is one of the most popular electric cars on sale right now.
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