Big-Selling Tesla Model 3 gets a makeover.
Tesla Model 3 – big-selling EV gets a makeover.
Back in 2017 Tesla launched its smallest and cheapest model, the Model 3, which sits below the luxury Model S, and the Model X SUV in the car makers line up. Now in 2024 with a sleek new look, a longer realistic driving range, and an accessible price tag, the Tesla Model 3 remains a compelling choice for new car buyers who want to go green.
Sleeker & More Refined.
The Model 3 has been restyled with a sleeker, more attractive exterior design, a quieter cabin and updated standard features. The changes made to the Model 3 make a huge impact by making it look fresher, and more upmarket than before. New exterior design features include slimmer and sharper-looking headlights surrounded by a much more profiled front end, while new tail-lights with super-bright colours and updated styling are integrated into the tailgate to enhance its dynamic rear profile. In order to improve its aerodynamic stance, the body now sits lower to the ground on a new set of 18-inch wheels with high quality Michelin tyres.
Upmarket, High-Tech Cabin.
In the cabin the materials used are of a superior quality to its predecessor, with perforated seat upholstery which supports ventilated and heated front-seats for the driver and passenger. Adjustable ambient lighting just below the window line and white footwell lighting up front prove very beneficial during night-time driving, and give the cabin a warm, welcoming look and feel. Rear seat passengers are now treated to their own 8.0-inch infotainment display (located between the two front seats) in which they can adjust the climate control for the rear cabin, and can also watch Netflix. Interior space is generous, with a flat floor allowing for impressive rear seat foot space, and headroom throughout is also plentiful, while the full-length glass sunroof makes the cabin bright and airy inside. The updated high-resolution 15.4-inch touchscreen is pin-sharp and it features an excellent navigation system, along with a host of impressive technical features and functions. With a boot capacity of 542-litres, the Model 3 is very practical too, and the split-folding rear seatbacks can be folded down to reveal lots more space when required. An 88-litre storage box under the bonnet – commonly known as a ‘frunk’ – is a handy hiding place for valuables or to keep the charging cables out of harm’s way. Tesla claims that more sound-deafening materials are used in the revised Model 3, along with additional acoustic glass to help drown out road noise, and that certainly works very well in practice.The redesigned Model 3 lacks physical controls for almost all functions. Aside from a steering wheel, pedals and window switches, there are no other buttons. In order to adjust the exterior mirrors or steering column you must interact with the large infotainment display on the dashboard. The steering wheel has also been redesigned, stalks have been replaced with steering wheel controls for an uncluttered driving experience, and there are haptic buttons on the steering wheel to control the indicators, windscreen wipers and cruise control. There are drive select buttons built into the interior lighting panel on the headliner, between the sun-visors, but Tesla wants the touch slider on the centre touch screen to be the primary control as it is within easy access of the drivers hands when on the steering wheel.
Test Car Details.
There are three variants of the updated Model 3 available; the Standard Range Rear-Wheel Drive, the Long Range All-Wheel-Drive and the Performance All-Wheel Drive model. My test car was a Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive with a 57.5kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted motor that officially produces 245bhp and was finished in Pearl White Multi-Coat paint which is a no-cost option. There are two new colours available, Ultra Red and Stealth Grey at an extra cost of €2,000 along with the familiar Deep Blue Metallic and Solid Black which cost €1,300. Features that are standard include 18’ Photon Wheels, power-folding auto-dimming heated door mirrors, tinted glass roof with ultraviolet and infrared protection, vegan all-black leather-effect upholstery, customizable ambient lighting, 12-way power adjustable front seats, power adjustable steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, a 15.5-inch infotainment system with built in navigation data from Google, Bluetooth, eight high-resolution cameras outside the vehicle, four USB type-C ports, two wireless charging pads for smartphones, a seven-speaker audio system with “immersive Sound”, keyless NFC key card and smartphone integration for keyless entry, and lifetime over-the-air updates along with the usual Tesla safety and charging benefits. In terms of energy consumption, Tesla’s official figure of 11.2kWh/100km would seem achievable based on my time with the test car.
Tesla’s reputation for making fast cars is maintained, with the redesigned Model 3 taking only 6.1 seconds to hit 100km/h and it comes with a driving range of 513km from a fully-charged battery. The Model 3 gains speed quickly and effortlessly, with the electric motor providing impressive torque and like all other Tesla models, the Model 3 carries its battery under the floor, providing the car with a low centre of gravity. This helps it change direction sharply and feel planted and stable in corners. The steering is accurate and well-weighted, with three different settings that adjust the level of steering effort, and the suspension feels firm and smooth over uneven surfaces and speed ramps. With direct steering and instant response from the electric motor, it genuinely is a fun car to drive. The addition of a blind-spot warning light in the speaker grilles on the B-pillars is a welcome addition, while the resolution on the blind-spot cameras is much better than its predecessor. Just one issue I encountered while driving was when I was turning right at a roundabout and then needing to indicate left to inform others of which exit I was taking, with the wheel almost upside-down, it was difficult to do so with the haptic buttons on the steering wheel. This is something that would take some getting used to, but it is sure to become easier with time.
Verdict, Price & Warranty.
With its impressive high-peak charging power, the Model 3 can achieve 282kms of driving range in as little as 15 minutes on one of Tesla’s 12,000+ Supercharger locations across Europe. The Tesla Model 3 offers an appealing combination of performance, comfort and range, and its price continues to be competitive. Starting at €40,990 the Model 3 also impresses with its improved ride comfort and added features. Tesla’s overall warranty is among the longest in the EV segment, with coverage for 4 years or 80,000kms. Tesla owners can also take advantage of a battery warranty of 8 years or 192,000kms (which occurs first).
Visit www.tesla.com for further information.
