You’ve seen the photos. That stark, empty dashboard with nothing but a single screen slapped in the middle like a lonely iPad. Some people call it "the future." Others think it looks like a hospital waiting room on wheels. Honestly, both sides have a point. But sitting in a tesla model 3 inside for ten minutes tells a much different story than just scrolling through a gallery.
The 2024 and 2025 "Highland" refreshes have quietly turned this car from a rattle-prone tech experiment into something that actually feels like a luxury vehicle. It’s not just about removing the stalks on the steering column—though we definitely need to talk about that—it’s about how the cabin actually works when you’re stuck in a two-hour commute.
The big screen is no longer the only story
For years, the 15.4-inch center touchscreen was the entire personality of the car. It still is the brain, but the rest of the body has finally caught up. Tesla ditched the old wood trim that looked like it belonged in a 90s Lexus and replaced it with a wraparound textile or carbon fiber finish. It feels "cocoon-like," which sounds like marketing fluff until you realize the dash now flows directly into the door panels.
There’s an LED light strip—ambient lighting, basically—that runs along the entire dash and doors. You can change the color to whatever fits your mood. It’s a small thing. But at night? It makes the interior feel expensive.
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The phantom stalks and the steering wheel
Tesla did something bold. Some would say "annoying." They removed the turn signal and gear stalks. Basically, everything is now a button on the steering wheel or a swipe on the screen.
- Turn signals: Now buttons on the left side of the steering wheel.
- Shifting: You swipe the left edge of the screen—up for drive, down for reverse.
- Emergency shifting: If the screen dies, there are physical buttons up by the rearview mirror.
It takes about three days to stop reaching for a ghost stalk. After that, your brain re-wires itself. Is it better? Not necessarily. Is it cleaner? Definitely.
What’s actually under the upholstery
The seats have been a major point of contention. In the older models, they were comfortable but felt a bit "thin." The new tesla model 3 inside features perforated "vegan leather" (which is just fancy talk for high-grade synthetic) that is finally ventilated.
If you’ve ever lived in a state where the sun exists, you know that black "leather" seats are a death sentence for your back in July. Having cooled seats in a Model 3 feels like a massive win. In the Performance trim, they’ve added more aggressive side bolsters to keep you from sliding around when you’re testing that 2.9-second 0-60 time, though some "bigger fellas" on the forums have noted they can feel a bit snug compared to the standard Long Range seats.
The back seat isn't a penalty box anymore
Usually, the back seat of a compact sedan is where you put people you don't particularly like. Tesla tried to change that. There is now an 8-inch touchscreen for the rear passengers.
They can:
- Adjust their own climate settings.
- Watch Netflix or YouTube while the car is moving (using headphones).
- Even slide the front passenger seat forward to get more legroom.
That last feature is a power move. If your friend is sitting in the front and being annoying, you can literally squish them from the back seat.
The silence is actually the biggest upgrade
If you drove a 2018 Model 3, you remember the wind noise. It sounded like you were driving a tent through a hurricane.
Tesla fixed this with 360-degree acoustic glass. This isn't just for the windshield; it's the side windows and the rear too. They also added more sound-deadening material under the "frunk" and in the wheel wells. According to testing by experts like Joe Bruzek at Cars.com, the cabin is about 20% quieter than it used to be. You can actually have a conversation at 75 mph without shouting.
The sound system that punches above its weight
Tesla’s audio engineers are the unsung heroes of the company. The premium audio system in the Long Range and Performance trims now packs 17 speakers, including two subwoofers and two amplifiers.
Unlike BMW or Mercedes, who slap a "Bose" or "Burmester" logo on the door and charge you $3,000 for it, Tesla builds their own. It is widely considered one of the best stock audio systems in the automotive world. It’s crisp. The bass doesn't just rumble; it hits you in the chest. Even the base RWD model has 9 speakers now, which is a jump from the previous 7.
Storage and the "hidden" space
Practicality is where the tesla model 3 inside usually wins people over. Since there’s no engine or transmission tunnel, the floor is completely flat.
- The Center Console: It has two wireless charging pads that actually work. No more fumbling with cables.
- The "Secret" Bin: Under the armrest is a deep well, and there’s another sliding compartment in front of it.
- Cargo: You get 21 cubic feet in the trunk and another 3.1 in the "frunk" (front trunk). It’s enough for a massive Costco run or three carry-on suitcases.
The 2025 "Desert" tweaks
As we move into 2025, Tesla has started rolling out "Heat-Resistant" materials in specific markets. There's talk of ceramic-infused upholstery that stays 40% cooler in direct sunlight. While this might not hit every market immediately, it shows that Tesla is finally moving past the "one size fits all" approach and actually listening to complaints about interior temperatures under that massive glass roof.
Is it actually "Premium"?
This is the $40,000 question. If you want the "old money" luxury of a Mercedes C-Class—real wood, metal knobs that click, and the smell of dead cows—the Model 3 will feel "cheap" to you.
But if you value software that doesn't lag, a sound system that rivals a home theater, and a cabin that feels like a quiet sanctuary, the tesla model 3 inside is currently the benchmark. The build quality, once the butt of every "panel gap" joke on the internet, has stabilized. The materials feel softer. The seats don't squeak.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you’re considering buying or leasing, go to a showroom and sit in the back seat first. Most people only check the driver's side, but the new rear screen and improved suspension (which changes how the interior "feels" over bumps) are the real tie-breakers. Check the "Highland" build date on the door jamb—anything from early 2024 onwards will have these specific interior upgrades.