2024 Tesla Model 3: LFP vs 2170 Batteries | Don’t Make a Mistake!

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If you are about to order or thinking about ordering the newly refreshed Tesla Model 3, you need to watch this video before you make that purchase. Is the Long-range version really worth the extra $7K purchase price, or is the RWD that is equipped with LFP batteries a better option?

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[Cleanerwatt]

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[davidfenwick]

One of your most practical videos for a potential buyer. Thank you.

[curtisbrown]

I just bought the model 3 SR and have no regrets. Sure, I would enjoy the acceleration of the Performance from time to time, but the SR is fun and still pretty fast. $10k can buy a lot of tacos.

[hieyeque]

The LFP, for me is where it's at. Charging to 100% without worrying about degradation is awesome. And if you need more range, you can simply add it by driving 10 mph slower - because wind resistance increases by the square.

[TheRealBlueSwan]

The RWD is absolutely the sensible option and the one I’d recommend to almost anybody who is in doubt, but I tested both right after each other and the AWD just brought a smile to my face in a way that the RWD didn’t.

[johnreese]

We bought a 23 Model 3 standard range with LFP batteries for the reason you mentioned. The car (new) was discounted $3, 850 by Tesla, $2, 000 rebate from state and $ 7, 500 tax credit! We also love the car!!

[KrazyKastorff]

One aspect of the LFP pack you didn't mention is cold weather performance. The RWD suffers more from the cold than the long range. It's a big deal for midwesterners that deal with Nov-April with temperatures below 32F a majority of the time.

[Creelyblades]

A word about battery degradation- Everybody loves to talk about it on these YouTube videos but what they fail to mention is, it’s rarely the cause for a failure. Most of the time batteries fail because of some internal issue with cells or contactors or some other issue the cause a rapid drop off and range. With people that take care of their battery Even the 2170s are rated for 1500 charge cycles which puts you well over 400, 000 miles before degradation is even an issue. (barring other types of failures that do not fall under regular degradation.)

[Thailand-Servant-]

The surprising thing is that LFP batteries have a lifespan approximately 2 times longer than NMC batteries 😊, but the LFP warranty is less than NMC.​😮

[TeslaPrince]

I live in northern Canada and even according to Kyle on out of spec podcast/channel the dual motor (which i have) heats the battery much faster than the rwd having two motors to heat the battery in cold winter temps. This can be a big deal for people like me in northern Canada, also max charge speed at superchargers are capped for sr+ both ac/dc speeds are slower

[atr]

until today I was 100% sure I would go for AWD. Now you changed my mind!

[DS-pkeh]

I am super happy with mine long range LFP model 3.
When I bought it, I wasn't sure how it will be. But, had several 1000km+ trips without any kind of issue.
Tip: If you want to buy a model 3, best moment is when the quarter is about to end, Tesla often gives good discounts to have good sales numbers.
This is the reason I got mine, they offered 5K discount without me even asking for it, when 3Q was about to end.

[GregB]

The difference in 0-60 is significant. I drove an an LFP and found it significantly slower than my dual motor. Not that you need to have all that speed all the time, , , but its so nice to take off and accelerate with such little effort.

[nickprince]

Great analysis. Very helpful. Thank you. (RWD LFP already bought).

[laurencejenner]

Fair points, but fundamentally the LR battery is larger and provides more range. I only charge to 100% for road trips but that extra 100+km makes a real difference. The LR is also quicker and is of course AWD.

[SCWgreg]

Excellent and thorough review. This is something I suspected in the back of my head, but never really knew how the actual comparison would play out. Thank you!

[Kabab]

You missed an important limiting factor with the lithium ion pack. You should only charge it to 80% max capacity but you also should not ever drop it below around 15%. This further limits the usable daily range significantly. Go lithium iron phosphate pack generally doesn't care as much if you drop it down to 1%.

Another thing to consider is the curb weight of each vehicle. While the lithium ion I believe will still be a little lighter, a lithium iron is not going to weigh significantly more because while the charge density of lithium-iron is much lower, the chemistry is much safe for so you don't need to package it as drastically as you would a lithium ion

[bearcubdaycare]

My Model 3 RWD has been fine in the Colorado winter, and has had adequate range for road trips to remote places like Chaco Canyon.

[AlecBadalamente-tb]

My 2023 Model 3 RWD with LFP with 30k miles and 18" hubcaps is currently in the shop and I have a loaner 2020 loaner model 3 LR and I am SHOCKED how bad the capacity is at and it ONLY has 32k miles with the premium 19" wheels.

The 2020 loaner model 3 LR has a range of ONLY 283 miles at 100% state of charge according to the car. At 80% daily its a whooping 225 miles! It says on Tessie that it has 8.4% battery degradation and is on par with the fleet average.

My 2023 model 3 RWD LFP has a degradation of only 4% and I get 261 miles at 100%. I dont have OEM hubcaps on, so I could possibly squeeze more out if I put them back on.

I live in an apartment, so I ONLY supercharge it. The only benefit of the LR for me would be the upgraded speakers and more comfortable suspension, but I heard the highland is much more improved and i'm not sure if the LR will be more comfortable in the Highland too. My RWD is way more bumpy than a performance model 3 or the model 3 LR. But the speakers and second faster is not worth the extra $9k at all.

[djruido]

I experience the range of both and I know what you are talking about the fact that you can’t charge to 100 makes the rwd really compete with the long range model.