Tesla Model 3 Wins Edmunds Top Rated Electric Car Award

Tesla Model 3 Wins Edmunds Top Rated Electric Car Award

Tesla27s compact sedan is racking up accolades this season. The Tesla Model 3 has officially been named the Edmunds Top Rated Electric Car for 2026, outpacing strong entries from automakers such as Audi and BMW.

According to Edmunds, the Model 3 earned a rating of 8.1 out of 10, supported by a starting price of $36,990 and a tested real-world range of 339 miles. Jonathan Elfalan, the director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, said, "The Model 3 offers just about the perfect combination of everything 97 speed, range, comfort, space, tech, accessibility and convenience. It's a no-brainer if you want a sensible EV."

Refined and Better Than Ever

The 2026 Model 3 largely builds on the extensive "Highland" refresh that arrived in North America in 2024. That update improved build quality and ride comfort, historically two of the car27s weaker areas. It also introduced ventilated front seats and a secondary 8-inch touchscreen for rear passengers to manage climate and entertainment.

The most notable change for 2026 is a return to basics: Tesla has brought back the physical turn signal stalk on the steering column. When the Highland update first debuted, many owners were unhappy with the switch to steering wheel buttons, which complicated quick maneuvers such as roundabouts. Restoring the stalk indicates the company is responding to owner feedback.

Performance and Value

The Model 3 continues to stand out for its versatility. For shoppers prioritizing price, the new Standard trim is the most affordable Model 3 to date, costing thousands less than the Premium (previously Long Range) versions. At the other end, the Performance trim delivers a 0-60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, trading some range for markedly quicker acceleration.

Momentum extends beyond this model. While the Model 3 earned Edmunds27 top honor, the Model Y was recently named the best electric vehicle of 2026 by Consumer Reports, and the company entered the publication27s top 10 list of most reliable automotive brands for the first time last year.

The 2026 Model 3 isn27t without drawbacks2014 Edmunds highlights the absence of Apple CarPlay (perhaps not for long) and notes that reliance on the touchscreen can be distracting2014 yet it remains a benchmark for the segment. As competitors like the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron and BMW i5 2C which Edmunds also cited as honorable mentions, expand in the market, the vehicle27s efficiency and access to a robust charging network keep it a step ahead.