Tesla Model 3 Review

Electric cars from the American company Tesla are gaining popularity around the world and sell by the thousands, although not every model reaches mass production, because the price is still too high for many buyers. Tesla's lineup includes several notable electric vehicles: the Model X crossover and the Model S sedan. The new Model 3 is considered the affordable one, so let's take a closer look at it.

Model 3 Price

In the US, the Model 3 starts at $35,000. For that money you get a rear-wheel-drive car with five seats. The base trim also includes four pairs of airbags, modern climate control, automatic emergency braking, LED headlights, stylish cloth seat upholstery, Autopilot capability, and fast charging. It also has a stability control system, keyless entry, and an infotainment system with Wi-Fi internet access.

Even in the base trim, the Model 3 has the hardware needed for Autopilot. If the owner is willing to pay about $8,000 extra, they get a full self-driving system. That capability will arrive a little later and will only require a software update.

Model 3 Design

The new electric car resembles its predecessor, the Model S, in many ways, but it is noticeably more compact. Safety has improved, and the body gained the necessary rigidity through the use of materials such as aluminum and high-strength steel.

Like its predecessors, the Model 3 has frameless doors with retractable handles. It uses a double-wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear.

The car has two trunks (front and rear) with a combined capacity of 425 liters (15 cu ft). That volume will not be reduced on all-wheel-drive versions when they arrive. The size of the rear cargo area also depends on the battery, which is located there.

Interior

The Model 3's cabin has been reworked in an interesting way, so even people who have driven other Teslas will find a lot of it unfamiliar. The designers dropped the instrument cluster and replaced it with one large 15.4-inch touchscreen that shows all the key information. If the owner spends an extra $5,000, they can enjoy a package of interior upgrades: a panoramic roof, stylish wood-look trim, heated rear seats, and a modern audio system with twelve powerful speakers.

The steering wheel has special controls for operating a number of vehicle systems.

Your Phone as the Key to the Model 3

The designers dropped not only the instrument panel but also what seemed like an indispensable accessory: the car key. A dedicated smartphone app now does the job of the key. The car unlocks as soon as the owner walks up to it. The app also keeps the owner informed with up-to-date vehicle information and even lets them turn certain functions on or off remotely.

Specifications

As of now, the manufacturer is keeping the official Model 3 specifications under wraps, but some unofficial figures have leaked online. The base sedan is known to have an electric motor producing 238 horsepower and 430 N·m (317 lb-ft) of torque, with a 60 kWh battery. That charge should be enough to comfortably cover 354 kilometers (220 miles). With a curb weight of 1.6 tonnes (about 3,530 lb), it can accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 6 seconds, and the top speed reaches 209 km/h (130 mph). Tesla also offers all-wheel-drive Dual Motor versions.

What the Long Range Version Offers

There are also Model 3 versions with a larger battery of up to 85 kWh. This battery lets the car travel up to 499 kilometers (310 miles) on a single full charge. Performance is also improved in this version: it accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.1 seconds (versus 5.6 seconds for the base model), and its top speed is 225 km/h (140 mph) versus 209 km/h (130 mph).

There is no Ludicrous mode support yet, but it will probably be only a matter of time. Ludicrous is a special mode that accelerates the car even faster by drawing the electric motor's maximum power.

Model 3 Charging Time

Tesla provides its customers with a network of Supercharger fast-charging stations. At one of these stations, a full charge takes 50 minutes, and the Long Range version with the larger battery takes only five minutes longer. Converting charging time into driving distance, in half an hour the base Model 3 gains 209 kilometers (130 miles) of range, and the Long Range gains 273 kilometers (170 miles).

What Other Electric Cars Can You Buy?

Tesla has several competitors in this price range. For example, the Chevrolet Bolt is quite popular, with a range of 383 kilometers (238 miles) and a price of around $40,000. The Japanese Nissan Leaf costs $30,000 and can travel 378 kilometers (235 miles) on a full charge. Still, the Tesla clearly wins on equipment and performance. In addition, the Nissan and Chevrolet batteries cannot be fast-charged as quickly.

The manufacturer gives a four-year warranty on every Model 3 (or 80,000 kilometers / 50,000 miles). The battery and drive units carry an eight-year warranty or 160,000 kilometers (100,000 miles), and 200,000 kilometers (125,000 miles) for the Long Range version. Notably, Supercharger charging will always be free for owners of the Tesla Model S and Model X, while Model 3 drivers are expected to be charged a fee once they exceed a certain limit. 

The Tesla Model 3 sedan is very popular today, with 40,000 orders already placed, a record for this type of vehicle. Customers are willing to wait a year or more to get behind the wheel of their new Tesla.