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Tesla Upgrades Model 3 for US Buyers with Larger Screen and More Power
Tesla has equipped every Model 3 sold in the US, Puerto Rico, and Mexico with a 16-inch centre touchscreen, a day after introducing the same upgrade in China. The Model 3 Performance now delivers 528 hp and 316 miles of range, while the Premium AWD cuts its 0-60 mph time to 3.8 seconds.
By Edward Beaumont · 5 min read
Tesla has begun fitting its larger 16-inch centre touchscreen to every Model 3 sold in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, a day after rolling out the same hardware change in China. The move standardises the interior display across the electric saloon's line-up in North America and follows a pattern of rapid, region-by-region updates that have become characteristic of Tesla's product strategy.
The upgrade is not limited to the screen. The Model 3 Performance variant now produces 528 horsepower and offers 316 miles of range on a single charge, according to Tesla's updated specifications. It also gains a black headliner, a subtle but noticeable change to the cabin's appearance. The Premium All-Wheel Drive version, meanwhile, now accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, a figure that places it firmly in the territory of traditional performance saloons.
For British readers accustomed to the Model 3 as one of the country's best-selling electric cars, the changes signal the direction of travel for Tesla's most affordable model. The 16-inch screen replaces the 15.4-inch unit that has been standard since the current-generation Model 3, known internally as Highland, was introduced. A larger display improves legibility for maps, media, and vehicle controls, though it also reinforces Tesla's reliance on a single central touchscreen for nearly all functions — a design choice that has attracted both praise for its minimalism and criticism for requiring drivers to take their eyes off the road.
The performance figures are equally significant. The Model 3 Performance has long been positioned as a rival to established performance saloons such as the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63, and the latest output of 528 hp strengthens that claim. The 316-mile range figure, measured on Tesla's own estimates, keeps the car competitive with newer entrants from Hyundai, Kia, and Polestar, all of which have narrowed the gap in recent years.
One notable omission remains. Tesla has still not confirmed whether the US-spec Model 3 will gain vehicle-to-load capability, a feature that allows an electric car's battery to power external devices or even a home. The technology is already available on some Tesla models and is increasingly offered by rivals as a practical benefit for owners. Its absence from the Model 3 in North America may disappoint buyers who view bidirectional charging as a key advantage of electric ownership.
The timing of the update is telling. Tesla introduced the same 16-inch screen in China just one day earlier, underscoring the company's ability to synchronise changes across major markets with unusual speed. The Chinese market is Tesla's largest manufacturing base and a critical battleground against local rivals such as BYD, while the US remains its home market and most profitable region. Updating both within 24 hours suggests a coordinated push to keep the Model 3 fresh as competition intensifies.
For the UK, the changes are likely to arrive in due course, though Tesla has not confirmed a timeline. British buyers currently receive the Model 3 from the company's Shanghai and Berlin factories, and specification differences between regions are common. The addition of a larger screen and more powerful Performance variant would strengthen the Model 3's appeal in a market where electric vehicle sales are growing but price sensitivity remains high.
The broader context is an electric vehicle sector that is maturing rapidly. Where Tesla once enjoyed a clear technological lead, established manufacturers and new entrants now offer comparable range, charging speed, and software features. Incremental improvements such as a larger screen, a black headliner, and a modest power increase may seem minor, but they matter in a segment where buyers compare specifications closely and where freshness signals continued investment.
Tesla has not announced pricing changes alongside the update. The Model 3 remains one of the most affordable routes into electric motoring for buyers in the US and Europe, and the company has repeatedly adjusted prices to stimulate demand. Whether the new hardware arrives in Britain without a price increase will be a question for prospective buyers in the coming months.
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