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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | EV |
| Base Price | $31,971–$39,735 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2018 Tesla Model 3 at 7.2/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.7/10, while Reliability at 5.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional ev — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 5.7/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The 8.7/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance scores 7.2/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. The cabin tech earns 8.6/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $31,971–$39,735, 133 MPG, seating 5, the Tesla Model 3 sits in the mid-market bracket of the ev segment. The value score of 6.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2018 Tesla Model 3 is a passable ev but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and reliability hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Tesla Model 3 ranks #218 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 19% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.4 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $31,971 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 39%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full EV ranking → · Best EVs under $35k →
Across the Model 3 model years we've scored, the 2018 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $40,159 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $40,159 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $38,990 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $37,820 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $36,650 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $35,480 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.4/10 | $34,311 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $33,141 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $31,971 | |
| 2017 | 7.3/10 | $30,802 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Adas / Autonomous/self driving / Software 27/01/2022 · 22V037000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through… |
|---|---|
| Electrical system / Software 01/02/2022 · 22V045000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles… |
| Seat belts 25/05/2021 · 21V389000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached. |
| Electrical system / Wiring / rear compartment/trunk 21/12/2021 · 21V00D000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. |
| Forward collision avoidance / sensing system / camera 29/10/2021 · 21V846000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the… |
Showing 5 of 18 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2018 Tesla Model 3's reliability 5.7/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 18 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
18 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #218 of 268 evs in our database (better than 19% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2018 Tesla Model 3 starts at $31,971 and ranges up to $39,735 across trims (MSRP when new). At 133 MPG, expect roughly $395/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Tesla models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.