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

Off the line, the Model X Long Range hits 100 km/h in 4.30 s versus 5.72 s for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. At this point, the Model X Long Range leads by 1.42 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model X Long Range is doing 158 km/h against 131 km/h for the Model 3 Long Range RWD. The gap is 1.11 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model X Long Range crosses the line in 12.14 s versus 14.16 s. The 2.02 s gap represents roughly 86 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Model X Long Range continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 221 km/h versus 174 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Model X Long Range finishes in 21.65 s versus 26.28 s, with a 4.63 s lead.

The Model X Long Range 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 X Long Range is capped at 249 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 (3.67 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 1.42 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.