Tesla has updated a key specification for the Tesla Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) in Canada shortly after opening orders, adjusting its listed 0–100 km/h acceleration time.
When the refreshed lineup first appeared on Tesla’s Canadian configurator on Friday night, the Premium RWD variant was shown with a 0–100 km/h time of 4.2 seconds. That figure immediately stood out to potential buyers, putting its acceleration closer to Dual Motor territory than a typical single motor configuration.
However, not long after the vehicle’s launch, the figure was quietly updated. Some time on early Saturday morning Tesla revised the 0-100km/h figure to 5.2 seconds, with no other changes to pricing, range, or listed features. The model still starts at the incredible price $39,490 and offers an estimated 463 km of range.
Tesla has updated the 0-100km/h for the new Model 3 Premium RWD in Canada 🇨🇦
— Drive Tesla 🇨🇦 (@DriveTeslaca) May 2, 2026
Last night it was 4.2s (left), today it is 5.2s (right). Nothing else appears to have changed. pic.twitter.com/GGzhCq1DXV
Tesla has not provided an explanation for the update, but the revised figure is more in line with expectations for a single motor, rear-wheel drive (RWD) configuration. It is also in line with specs for this particular Premium RWD imported from Giga Shanghai, which comes with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack.
This battery chemistry differs from the nickel-based packs typically found in higher trims, and it can influence both performance characteristics and charging behaviour.
While LFP batteries generally offer slightly lower peak performance compared to nickel-based alternatives, they provide a different kind of advantage in daily use. Tesla recommends regularly charging LFP-equipped vehicles to 100% at least once per week, allowing owners to consistently access the full rated range—in this case, up to 463 km.
By comparison, vehicles with nickel-based batteries are typically recommended to be charged to around 80% for daily use, reserving full charges for longer trips.
That can be meaningful for drivers who prioritize usable range on a day-to-day basis, particularly in regions where charging infrastructure or driving distances make full battery access more important.
While the extra 1 second is disappointing, it will likely not be a deal breaker for most buyers, many of whom wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference in day-to-day driving. If it was a factor in your decision making process, you can always ask Tesla to refund your $250 order deposit, although they may still say it is non-refundable.
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