Here’s an outline of the benefits of a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Facelift (refreshed/“Project Highland“ predecessor, i.e. the late-2020/2021 update) with US FSD and LFP battery:
1. The 2021 „Facelift“ (Refresh) Upgrades
Heat pump — significantly better cold-weather efficiency and range retention vs. the older resistive heater
Updated center console — wireless phone charging, sliding storage lid, matte finish (replaced the glossy „piano black“)
Chrome delete — satin black trim around windows and door handles (more modern look, less maintenance)
Power trunk (liftgate) — standard on 2021+ (earlier cars were manual)
New aero wheels („Überturbine“ style) and slightly revised styling
Double-pane front windows — quieter cabin
Heated steering wheel (on later 2021 builds)
Improved headlights with revised optics
2. LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Battery Benefits
Higher charge limit tolerance — can be charged to 100% daily without accelerated degradation (unlike NCA/NCM packs, which prefer ~80–90%)
Longer cycle life — often 2–3x the charge cycles of nickel-based chemistries
Better thermal stability / safety — less prone to thermal runaway
No cobalt — cheaper, more ethical/less supply-chain risk
More consistent range — you can actually use the full rated range daily
Trade-offs to note: slightly lower energy density (heavier), somewhat slower Supercharging in cold temps, and slightly worse cold-weather performance
3. FSD (Full Self-Driving) Capability
Hardware 3.0 (HW3) included on 2021 cars — required for FSD features
Access to FSD features (as permitted by software version): Auto Lane Change, Navigate on Autopilot, AutoPark, Summon/Smart Summon, Traffic Light & Stop Sign Control
FSD Beta / FSD (Supervised) access if the owner is enrolled and in good standing
Transferable value — FSD is tied to the VIN; adds resale value (though Tesla has offered limited transfer promos)
Over-the-air updates — the car improves over time; FSD stack continues to receive updates
4. General Model 3 Benefits (2021)
Range — LFP Standard Range+ rated around 263 miles (varies by build)
Performance — 0–60 in ~5.3s (SR+) or ~4.2s (LR AWD)
Supercharger network — best fast-charging network in the US
Minimalist interior — single 15″ center screen, OTA software
Low running costs — electricity vs. gas, minimal maintenance (no oil, fewer brake wear items)
Autopilot standard — TACC + Autosteer included
Safety — top NHTSA/IIHS ratings, low rollover risk (low CG)
Resale value — historically strong for Tesla
5. Owner-Experience Benefits
Sentry Mode / Dashcam — built-in
Phone key / NFC card
Preconditioning — cabin and battery
Dog Mode / Camp Mode
Netflix/YouTube/Hulu via Tesla Theater (when parked)
Regular OTA feature drops
6. Key Caveats / Things to Verify
LFP was only in Standard Range+ (SR+) for the US 2021 Model 3 — not Long Range or Performance
FSD is software-version dependent — features vary; „FSD“ on the Monroney doesn’t guarantee the latest beta
LFP cold-weather — reduced regen and slower charging when cold; Tesla added a winter preconditioning update
HW3 vs HW4 — 2021 cars are HW3; some newer FSD features may be HW4-only long-term
Battery health check — verify state of health and whether it’s been charged properly
Bottom line: The 2021 refresh + LFP + FSD combo gives you a more efficient, quieter, better-equipped car with a battery you can charge to 100% daily and a software platform that keeps improving — with the main trade-offs being cold-weather LFP behavior and HW3 (not HW4) hardware.