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The 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance we keep at Parramatta is quoted at 370 kW and a 3.3-second 0-100 km/h time, while the refreshed 2024 car is widely listed with a slightly lower power figure and a similar sprint. That small reversal surprises a lot of people who assume newer always means quicker. Here is what actually changed between the two, and why it matters if you are booking a hire car in Sydney rather than buying one.
Book the 2020 Model 3 Performance
It is available now, based at Parramatta, and delivers anywhere in Sydney. Check the live rate and book on the car page.
Why the 2020 car still gets booked first
Walk into any conversation about the Model 3 Performance and someone will tell you the 2024 update is the one to have. It has a new front end, a quieter cabin, a bigger screen and a general polish that the earlier car lacks. All true. But the numbers people quote when they are trying to impress you do not always move in the direction they expect.
Our 2020 Model 3 Performance is listed at 370 kW, 660 Nm, dual-motor all-wheel drive and a 3.3-second 0-100 km/h time, with a quoted range of 567 km and Track Mode built in. Those are the figures we work from because they are the ones attached to the actual car in our fleet, not a press release from a different market. If you want the full spec sheet and booking details, they live on the 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance page.
When I drove it last, the thing that stayed with me was not the launch. It was the way the car put its power down out of the corners on the run up to West Head, where the road is tight and the surface is patchy. That is where 660 Nm and a well-sorted all-wheel-drive system earn their keep.
The headline specs, side by side
Let us get the comparison on the table. The 2024 Model 3 Performance is a genuinely different car underneath: revised suspension, new seats, a stiffer body, and a different approach to how the power is delivered. Tesla has moved the goalposts on efficiency and refinement rather than chasing a bigger peak number.
The chart below sets out what we know from our own car against the commonly published figures for the 2024 model. Where a number is a published claim rather than something we have measured on our car, treat it as a guide and check the current spec before you book.
Two things jump out. First, the 2020 car is quoted with more power. Second, the 0-100 times are close enough that on a real road, with real tyres and a real driver, you would struggle to tell them apart. The 2024 car claws back ground in range and in how pleasant it is to sit in for an hour.
Power and the way it is delivered
Peak power figures are a poor way to judge a fast EV. What matters is how the car uses what it has. The 2020 Model 3 Performance has a reputation for a slightly more aggressive initial hit, the kind that makes passengers laugh and then go quiet. The 2024 car is smoother off the line, and it keeps pulling harder further up the speed range.
In practice, around Sydney, you rarely get to use either car's full output for more than a couple of seconds. The M4 on-ramp at Silverwater, the empty stretch of the M2 early on a Sunday, the climb out of Roseville Bridge: these are the places where you feel it. The 2020 car feels urgent everywhere. The 2024 car feels more controlled, which some drivers prefer and some find less exciting.
If you have never driven a quick EV before, the difference between them will be invisible. You will be too busy adjusting to the instant torque. Our guide to renting a Model 3 Performance as your first EV covers the basics, including one-pedal driving and why you should not stab the accelerator the first time you leave a car park.
Range, charging and the Sydney reality
The 2020 car is quoted at 567 km. The 2024 car is quoted higher, and it charges a little faster on a good DC charger. If you are doing a daily commute from Parramatta to the city and back, neither number matters much: you will plug in once a week and forget about it.
Where it starts to matter is a longer day out. A run to the Blue Mountains and back, with a detour or two, will use most of a charge in either car. The difference is measured in minutes at a Supercharger, not hours. Our route guide for a Blue Mountains road trip in a Model 3 Performance walks through where to stop and what to expect.
For renters, the practical question is where you charge. Most of our customers collect from Parramatta or take delivery anywhere in Sydney, and most of them top up at a Supercharger rather than messing about with a wall plug. If you want the full picture on costs and locations, read charging a rented Tesla in Sydney. It covers Superchargers, home plugs and the honest trade-offs of each.
Track Mode and what the 2020 car does well
Track Mode is one of the reasons the 2020 Model 3 Performance still has a following. It lets you shift the power balance, adjust the stability control and generally make the car behave the way you want on a closed circuit. The 2024 car also has a version of it, but the earlier system has a rawness that some drivers prefer.
We do not encourage anyone to use Track Mode on public roads, and we say so every time someone asks. On a track day, though, it transforms the car. If you have never used it, our explainer on Track Mode on the 2020 Model 3 Performance is the place to start. It is written for first-timers and does not assume you know what a torque split is.
When I drove it on a damp morning at a private test day, the difference between the standard mode and Track Mode was not subtle. The car rotated more willingly, and the brakes held up better over a session. That is the kind of thing that does not show up in a spec table.
Interior, noise and daily comfort
This is where the 2024 car wins clearly. The updated Model 3 has a quieter cabin, better seats, a nicer screen and a general sense that someone spent real time on the details. The 2020 car is not uncomfortable, but it is noisier at highway speed and the suspension is firmer over broken surfaces.
For a hire car, this matters less than you might think. Most of our customers are in the car for a day or a weekend. The 2020 car is still a pleasant place to spend a few hours, and the performance you get for the rate is the reason people choose it. If you are planning a long drive with passengers who care about comfort, the newer car is the better pick. If you want the sharper, louder, more old-school experience, the 2020 car is the one.
What actually changed between the two generations
If you strip away the marketing, the 2024 update is about refinement. Stiffer body, revised suspension, better sound insulation, new seats, a slightly different front and rear end, and a more efficient drivetrain. The peak power figure went down slightly, and the range went up.
The 2020 car is about the original recipe: big power, big torque, a chassis that rewards a confident driver, and a Track Mode that lets you tinker. It is the version that made the Model 3 Performance famous in the first place.
Neither is objectively better. They are tuned for different priorities. For a hire, the question is which one suits the day you have planned.
Which one should you book in Sydney?
If you want the newest car, the quietest cabin and the longest range, wait for the 2024 car or ask us what is available. If you want the version with the higher quoted power figure, the sharper chassis and Track Mode, book the 2020 car. It is available now, it is based at Parramatta, and it is the one we know inside out.
Before you book, it is worth checking the rules. The 2020 Model 3 Performance has a minimum driver age of 20, and there are licence and insurance requirements that apply to every hire. Our guide to age, licence and insurance rules for hiring a Tesla in NSW sets out what you need to bring and what to expect.
We deliver anywhere in Sydney, or you can collect from Parramatta. If you want to compare the whole fleet, including the Model Y and the chauffeur-driven Model X, start at the Tesla hire Sydney hub. It is the fastest way to see what is available and what each car is best at.
The honest answer for most renters
Most people who ask us about the 2020 vs 2024 Model 3 Performance are really asking whether they are missing out by booking the older car. The answer is no. The 2020 car is still faster than almost anything else on the road, still has the same dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, and still has Track Mode. The 2024 car is a nicer place to sit and goes further on a charge.
If your priority is the experience, the 2020 car delivers it. If your priority is comfort and range, the newer car is the better fit. Either way, you are getting a car that will make a Sydney weekend memorable.
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 fits your trip?
The Tesla hub page compares the whole fleet, from the Model 3 Performance to the chauffeur-driven Model X. Start there and we will help you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2020 Model 3 Performance faster than the 2024 version?
The 2020 car is quoted at 370 kW and a 3.3-second 0-100 km/h time, while the 2024 car is generally listed with a slightly lower power figure and a similar sprint. On a real road, the difference is small. The 2020 car feels more aggressive off the line; the 2024 car is smoother and pulls harder at higher speeds.
Does the 2020 Model 3 Performance have Track Mode?
Yes. Track Mode is built into the 2020 car and lets you adjust the power balance and stability settings for closed-circuit driving. It is not for public roads. We explain how it works in our Track Mode guide for first-timers, which is linked in this article.
What is the minimum age to hire the 2020 Model 3 Performance?
The minimum driver age is 20. You will also need a valid licence and to meet the insurance requirements for your booking. Our age, licence and insurance guide for NSW covers the details, and the car page shows what you need at the time of booking.
How far can the 2020 Model 3 Performance go on a charge?
The quoted range is 567 km. In real Sydney driving, with air conditioning and a mix of city and highway, expect less than that, but it is still enough for a full day out with a top-up at a Supercharger if needed. Our charging guide for renters explains where to stop.
Can I get the 2020 Model 3 Performance delivered outside Parramatta?
Yes. We deliver anywhere in Sydney. You can also collect it from Parramatta if that suits you better. The car page shows the delivery options and the rate for your dates, and the booking total is shown before you pay.
Should I book the 2020 or wait for the 2024 Model 3 Performance?
If you want the newest cabin, the longest range and the quietest ride, the 2024 car is the better fit. If you want the higher quoted power figure, the sharper chassis and Track Mode, book the 2020 car now. Both are excellent, and the right choice depends on your trip.