Quite a few Model 3s were sold to Hertz, which is how I got my mitts on my test car, a base RWD model without the $6,000 Enhanced Autopilot or $15,000 Full Self Driving options. After an almost legendary “production hell” period early in the Model 3’s existence, Tesla has moved almost a million of these worldwide as this is written. I think it’s hard to understate the Model 3’s impact on the car business - it wasn’t the first EV, but it was the first one to achieve true mass-market acceptance. note – Maybe if the company loaned cars to journalists for review. Neither will this review, which will be in two parts - today’s article will be a review of the Model 3 itself, and a subsequent article will detail my “EV experience” that came with this vehicle. And if you love driving - which I do - you’ll be glad to know that if EVs like the Model 3 are “the future,” then the future might be different, but it won’t be at all dim. It’s complicated.Ĭomplicated things are never boring, and neither is the Model 3. It’s a lovable car, even if it’s not easy to love. I spent a day with a rented Tesla Model 3 on a recent trip to Los Angeles, and I’m here to tell you that the Model 3, like the company that made it, is equal parts innovation and exasperation. All of this tends to polarize people into “Love Tesla” and “Loathe Tesla” camps, but I think both camps would agree about the brand’s impact - the company has revolutionized the way mass-market cars are designed, powered, and sold.īut something’s been missing from all this Tesla talk on TTAC - an actual test of a Tesla*. And Tesla’s existence is inextricably linked to politics, the ongoing “Full Self Driving” soap opera, and the Almighty’s gift to headline writers himself, Elon Musk. For some, it’s a synonym for disruption and innovation for others, that disruption and innovation aren’t all that welcome. While the Long Range is a little less grippier and a tad more body lean.Tesla clearly isn’t just a car manufacturer anymore - it’s a buzzword. 20in alloy wheels and a stiffer sports suspension on the Performance variant transforms this car, making it very quick when you steer, much more than in the Polestar 2. We’d recommend the Long Range and Performance spec if you want a tidy-handling electric car too. Out on the road, the Performance spec of the Model 3 timed a 0-60mph in a mere 3.3 seconds. The former comes with a whopping 434bhp, while the latter bumps this up to a ludicrously powerful 449bhp. Things get even quicker when you step up to the Long Range and top-spec Performance models thanks to all-wheel drive and dual electric motors. The single electric motor on the cheapest version of the Model 3 still gets a chunky 271bhp and a more-than-enough top speed of 140mph. In road tests, the entry-level Standard Range Plus spec managed 0-60mph in just 6.1 seconds, which will worry most hot hatches at the lights without making a song and dance about it either. Regardless of which Tesla Model 3 specification you choose, performance is rapid and silent. Opt for the Long Range or Performance versions of the Model 3 and you’ll get a punchier 14-speaker sound system for crisper-sounding audio. Alternatively, if your phone isn’t enabled with wireless charging, two high-powered USB-C ports let you rapidly charge your device on the go. It’s worth noting that the driving game can only be played when the car is stationary, while we recommend keeping video streaming down to a minimum to avoid distractions while you’re driving.Īdding to the Model 3’s tech-savvy interior are a pair of wireless charging pads beneath the infotainment screen. driving games controlled by the steering wheel, Spotify, Netflix and YouTube). The processor is very quick and there’s a plethora of fun features within the screen (i.e. Once you get used to the Model 3’s quirky bare interior, you’ll be wowed at just how intuitive the system is when you operate it. That’s because it can be very distracting trying to check your speed on the move. Rather bizarrely, even the speedometer is displayed on the touchscreen which we think is a tad too far. To keep everything looking futuristic, Tesla made sure that all the car’s functions, including the headlights and windscreen wipers, were only controllable through the massive 15in iPad-like infotainment screen in the centre of the dashboard. If you thought the outside of the Tesla Model 3 was minimalist, just wait until you step inside.
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