Tesla Model S Performance vs Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model S Performance hits 100 km/h in 2.53 s versus 5.72 s for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. At this point, the Model S Performance leads by 3.19 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model S Performance is doing 175 km/h against 131 km/h for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. The gap is 2.56 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model S Performance crosses the line in 10.31 s versus 14.16 s. The 3.84 s gap represents roughly 159 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Model S Performance continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 244 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model S Performance finishes in 19.02 s versus 26.28 s, with a 7.26 s lead.

The Model S Performance features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Model 3 Long Range RWD’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model S Performance is capped at 262 km/h, the Model 3 Long Range RWD at 225 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit — it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

With two electric powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (2.89 kg/hp vs 6.71 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.03 seconds. The 3.19 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.