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The 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance hits 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, according to Tesla's own figures. That is quicker than a Porsche 911 Carrera and within a tenth of a second of a Ferrari 488 GTB. We hired one from our Parramatta base and spent a week working out what those numbers actually mean behind the wheel.
Book the Model 3 Performance
Self-drive from Parramatta or delivered anywhere in Sydney. Minimum driver age 20. See the full specs and live availability on the car page.
What 3.3 Seconds Actually Means
Tesla quotes a 0-100 km/h time of 3.3 seconds for the 2020 Model 3 Performance. That figure comes from a standing start with rollout excluded, on a prepared surface, in ideal conditions. In the real world, on a cold Sydney morning with a passenger and a full charge, you will not match it. But you will get close enough that the difference stops mattering.
What matters more is how the car delivers that acceleration. There is no gearbox, no turbo lag, no waiting for revs to build. You press the accelerator and the torque arrives instantly. All 660 Nm of it. That is the defining characteristic of the Model 3 Performance, and it is why the 0-100 number only tells part of the story.
We have hired this exact car out of Parramatta for years. The one in our fleet is a 2020 model, dual-motor all-wheel drive, rated at 370 kW. It has Track Mode, which we will get to later. The 0-100 figure is the headline, but the way the car puts power down through corners and out of junctions is what keeps people coming back.
The Spec Sheet: Every Number That Matters
Before we get into what the car feels like, let us lay out the numbers. These are the figures Tesla publishes for the 2020 Model 3 Performance, and they are the ones we quote to anyone who asks about the car.
- 0-100 km/h: 3.3 seconds
- Power: 370 kW
- Torque: 660 Nm
- Range: 567 km (WLTP)
- Drivetrain: Dual-motor all-wheel drive
- Battery: 75 kWh usable
- Top speed: 261 km/h
- Kerb weight: Approximately 1,847 kg
The power and torque figures are the ones that explain the acceleration. 370 kW is roughly 500 horsepower. 660 Nm is more torque than a BMW M3 Competition makes, and it is available from zero rpm. That last part is the key. A petrol performance car needs to be in the right gear and the right rev range to make its peak torque. The Model 3 Performance makes its peak torque the instant you touch the accelerator.
How It Compares to Its Rivals
The Model 3 Performance competes with cars like the BMW M3 Competition and the Mercedes-AMG C63. On paper, the Tesla wins the 0-100 sprint. The BMW M3 Competition does it in around 3.9 seconds. The Mercedes-AMG C63 S does it in around 4.0 seconds. Both are rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on spec, and both need to be in their sportiest settings to get close to those times.
The Tesla does not need any preparation. You do not need to build boost, you do not need to launch it perfectly, you do not need to wait for the gearbox to downshift. You just press the pedal. That is the difference between a fast petrol car and a fast electric car, and it is why the Model 3 Performance feels quicker than its numbers suggest.
If you want a deeper comparison, we have written a full breakdown of the Tesla Model 3 Performance vs BMW M3 Competition for anyone deciding which to hire for a weekend. The short version: the Tesla wins on acceleration and running costs, the BMW wins on noise and drama.
What the 0-100 Time Feels Like on Sydney Roads
I drove our Parramatta-based Model 3 Performance through the Lane Cove Tunnel and up the Pacific Highway toward Hornsby. The 0-100 time is not something you can use on public roads, not legally anyway. But the acceleration is. Merging onto the M2 from a standstill, you are at highway speed before you have finished checking your blind spot. Overtaking on a single-lane road is a non-event. You press the pedal, you are past, you pull back in.
The car does not feel violent in the way a rear-wheel drive performance car feels violent. It just goes. The all-wheel drive system sorts out the grip, the traction control intervenes only when it needs to, and the whole thing feels strangely calm. That is the thing people do not expect. A 3.3-second car should feel like it is trying to kill you. The Model 3 Performance feels like it is doing you a favour.
When I drove it on the Old Pacific Highway north of Sydney, the instant torque was more useful than the outright 0-100 time. Exiting tight corners, the car pulls cleanly from low speed without any hesitation. There is no waiting for a turbo to spool, no hunting for the right gear. You point it at the corner exit and it goes.
Track Mode and What It Changes
The 2020 Model 3 Performance has Track Mode. This is a software setting that changes the way the car manages power, cooling, and traction control. It is designed for circuit use, but it also changes the way the car feels on a favourite road.
In Track Mode, you can adjust the front-to-rear power balance. You can make the car more rear-biased, which means it will rotate more willingly in corners. You can also reduce the traction control intervention, which gives you more control but also more responsibility. We do not recommend using Track Mode on public roads. It is there for track days, and that is where it belongs.
What Track Mode does demonstrate is that the Model 3 Performance is not just a straight-line car. The hardware is there to support proper driving. The dual-motor setup, the low centre of gravity, the stiff chassis. The 0-100 time is the headline, but the car is more than that.
Range, Charging, and the Practical Side
The 567 km WLTP range figure is optimistic. In real-world Sydney driving, you will see closer to 450 km. That is still enough for a week of commuting, a trip to the Blue Mountains, or a run up the coast. We have written about what that looks like in practice in our guide to a Blue Mountains road trip in a Model 3 Performance, including where to charge and where to stop.
Charging is straightforward. The Model 3 Performance uses the Tesla Supercharger network, which is the best fast-charging network in Australia. There are Superchargers at locations like Broadway, Alexandria, and Campbelltown. A 20-minute stop will get you from low charge to enough to keep going. If you are hiring the car for a weekend, you will likely only need to charge once.
The car is based at Parramatta, but we deliver anywhere in Sydney. If you are in the Eastern Suburbs, the Inner West, or the Hills District, we can bring the car to you. You can read more about how that works in our guide to Tesla hire near me in Sydney.
What Changed Between 2020 and 2024
The 2020 Model 3 Performance is the car in our fleet. The 2024 model is a different car in several ways. It has a revised exterior, a revised interior, and a slightly different suspension setup. The 0-100 time is similar, but the way the car delivers its performance has been refined.
If you are trying to decide which one to hire, we have written a full comparison: 2020 vs 2024 Model 3 Performance. The short version is that the 2020 car is the better value, and the 2024 car is the more polished product. Both are quick. Both are fun. The 2020 car is the one we have available for self-drive hire, and it is the one we recommend for most people.
One thing that has not changed is the way the car puts its power down. The dual-motor all-wheel drive system is the same basic design. The instant torque is the same. The 0-100 time is the same. If you are hiring a Model 3 Performance, you are getting the same experience regardless of the year.
Who Should Hire the Model 3 Performance
The Model 3 Performance is not for everyone. It is a performance car, and it drives like one. The ride is firm, the seats are supportive but not plush, and the rear seats are best suited to children or shorter adults. If you want a comfortable cruiser, the Model Y is a better choice. If you want a car that will make you smile every time you press the accelerator, the Model 3 Performance is the one.
We hire it to drivers aged 20 and over. That is a lower minimum age than most performance car hire companies, and it is deliberate. The Model 3 Performance is easy to drive quickly, and the safety systems are excellent. We trust it, and we trust our customers.
The car is also popular for photoshoots and content creation. The white paint, the black wheels, the low stance. It photographs well. We have written about that in our guide to Teslas for photoshoots and content in Sydney. If you are booking the car for a shoot, let us know and we can arrange delivery to your location.
The Verdict: Is 3.3 Seconds Enough?
The 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance is one of the quickest cars you can hire in Sydney. The 0-100 time of 3.3 seconds puts it in supercar territory, and the instant torque makes it feel even quicker than that. But the number is not the whole story. The car is also practical, comfortable, and easy to live with. It has a real range, a real charging network, and a real back seat.
If you are looking for a performance car to hire for a weekend, a special occasion, or a photoshoot, the Model 3 Performance is a strong choice. You can see the full specs and book it on our Model 3 Performance page. If you are not sure which Tesla is right for you, start with our Tesla hire Sydney hub.
If the Tesla Model 3 Performance is booked
We never move you down a tier. If your dates are taken, these are the performance cars we will offer instead, and we will tell you plainly if none of them is free rather than substituting something lesser on the day.
Tesla Model Y RWD
- 220kW
- 5.9s
- RWD
- 5 seats
Self-drive from 25, the everyday electric SUV in the fleet. Based at Merrylands, delivered anywhere in Sydney.
Tesla Model X P100D
- 568kW
- 3.1s
- 7 seats
- Chauffeur only
Falcon-wing doors, Ludicrous mode and a Drive Tribe driver included. No bond, no age limit for passengers.
Not Sure Which Tesla?
Compare the Model 3 Performance, Model Y, and Model X on our Tesla hire hub. We will help you pick the right car for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 0-100 time for a 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance?
Tesla quotes 3.3 seconds for the 2020 Model 3 Performance. That is a standing start with rollout excluded, on a prepared surface. In real-world conditions with a passenger and a full charge, you will be slightly slower, but the car still feels exceptionally quick.
How much power does the Model 3 Performance make?
The 2020 Model 3 Performance is rated at 370 kW, which is roughly 500 horsepower. It also makes 660 Nm of torque, available instantly from zero rpm thanks to the dual-motor electric drivetrain. That instant torque is what makes the car feel so quick.
Can I hire the Model 3 Performance for a track day?
The car has Track Mode, which adjusts power delivery, cooling, and traction control for circuit use. We allow track days with prior approval. Contact us before booking so we can discuss the details and any requirements.
What is the minimum age to hire the Model 3 Performance?
The minimum driver age for the Model 3 Performance is 20. That is lower than most performance car hire companies. You will need a valid full licence and to meet our standard hire requirements, which are listed on the car page.
Where is the Model 3 Performance based?
The car is based at Parramatta. You can collect it from there, or we can deliver it anywhere in Sydney for your hire period. Delivery covers the Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Hills District, and beyond.
Does the Model 3 Performance have enough range for a day trip?
The 2020 Model 3 Performance has a quoted range of 567 km. In real Sydney driving you will see closer to 450 km. That is enough for a day trip to the Blue Mountains or the Central Coast with a single charging stop if needed.