The Tesla Model 3 was conceived as the company’s “everyman” car, designed to make electric vehicles accessible to the masses. With a price tag significantly lower than Tesla’s more premium offerings, it’s meant to be the entry point to the brand’s lineup—a car for everyone, as Elon Musk ambitiously put it. But in a city like Los Angeles, where luxury and exotic cars are a dime a dozen, does the Model 3 stand out in any way? LA is a place where people regularly see Ferraris and Lamborghinis valeted at trendy restaurants, so it would take something truly special for a car to turn heads.
Yet, as I cruised through the bustling streets in a bright red Tesla Model 3, I couldn’t help but feel that this car wasn’t just blending in with the crowd—it was commanding attention. Passersby were stopping mid-stride, craning their necks to get a closer look. Fellow drivers, some in Teslas themselves, waved or honked as we exchanged knowing glances. Friends who had never shown much interest in cars suddenly wanted a ride. Even at charging stations, Tesla owners approached me to chat. It quickly became apparent that, despite its humbler origins, the Model 3 is far from ordinary. In fact, it was attracting more attention than I had ever anticipated.
But beyond the hype and curiosity surrounding one of the most anticipated vehicles of the decade, the real question remained: does the Tesla Model 3 live up to its promise? Is it truly the car that will take electric vehicles mainstream, as Musk intended? To find out, I took the Model 3 on a comprehensive tour of LA, from congested freeways to winding canyon roads, from the urban jungle to the serene, wide-open desert. Here’s what I discovered.
City Performance: Nimble and Effortless
The Tesla Model 3 I tested was one of the early production models, equipped with the premium package and a long-range battery, bringing its total cost to $57,000. One of the first things I did was check for the quality control issues that had been reported by early buyers—misaligned panels, odd squeaks, or rattles. I found none. It seems likely that Tesla had given this particular loaner extra scrutiny, but I was impressed nonetheless. Tesla faced similar early production challenges with the Model S and Model X, and it’s clear they are improving with time. While some buyers might still encounter minor issues, the company’s trajectory suggests these will be ironed out as production ramps up.
Navigating LA’s traffic-heavy streets with the Model 3 was a surprisingly pleasant experience. The car’s nimble handling made it easy to weave in and out of congested lanes, something that’s no small feat in this city. The steering feels responsive, with only one full turn from lock to lock, and it’s incredibly precise. The acceleration is what you’d expect from a Tesla: instantaneous and exhilarating. With a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds, the Model 3 isn’t quite as fast as its Model S sibling, but it still outpaces many gas-powered competitors, such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI or the BMW 330i. For daily commuting, that kind of acceleration is more than enough to make merging onto freeways or getting ahead of slow traffic feel effortless.
Parking in LA is notoriously difficult, but Tesla’s Autopark feature simplifies the task. With a tap of the touchscreen, the Model 3 effortlessly slid itself into a tight parallel spot that would have given me pause if I were parking manually. Watching the car park itself was a bit nerve-wracking at first, but the system performed flawlessly, and I quickly gained confidence in its capabilities. It’s one of those features that could genuinely make life easier for city dwellers, even if it does take a bit of trust to fully embrace it.
A Minimalist Interior That Breaks the Mold
One of the most striking aspects of the Tesla Model 3 is its interior. Tesla has taken minimalism to an extreme, ditching traditional buttons and controls for a sleek, open layout dominated by a 15-inch touchscreen. There’s no instrument cluster in front of the driver, no buttons for adjusting air conditioning or audio settings. Everything is controlled through the central display, which also houses all driving-related information like speed, navigation, and Autopilot settings.
For someone like me, who has grown accustomed to physical buttons in most vehicles, this setup took some getting used to. At first, the lack of tactile controls felt a bit disorienting, especially when adjusting settings while driving. However, the touchscreen itself is a marvel of design. It’s large, high-resolution, and responsive, with clear menus and intuitive controls. The ability to pinch-to-zoom on the map or quickly swipe to adjust Autopilot speed made the interface feel more like a premium smartphone than a typical car display.
One potential downside is that certain functions, such as adjusting the air vent flow or turning on the windshield wipers, require you to take your eyes off the road to interact with the screen. However, Tesla has been rolling out regular software updates to address feedback from drivers. For instance, a recent update made the windshield wiper controls easier to access, following complaints that they were too difficult to find. Tesla’s approach to continuous improvement means that many of the interface quirks could be smoothed out in future updates.
Despite the unusual interior, the Model 3 is a remarkably comfortable place to be. The seats are plush and supportive, with ample legroom for both front and rear passengers. The car’s minimalist aesthetic also gives the cabin a spacious, airy feel, making it a relaxing environment for both short commutes and long drives.
Charging and Range: Practical for Most, With Some Caveats
One of the biggest concerns for prospective electric vehicle buyers is charging—how easy is it, and how long does it take? If you have access to a 220-volt outlet at home (the kind used for large appliances like clothes dryers), charging the Model 3 is straightforward. You simply plug it in overnight and wake up with a full battery, which for the long-range model gives you up to 310 miles of driving range. That’s more than enough for most daily commutes and even longer drives.
However, if you live in an apartment or park on the street, charging becomes a bit more challenging. You’ll either need to rely on public charging stations or work out a home charging solution. Tesla’s Supercharger network is a massive advantage here. With Superchargers located across major highways and urban centers, you can add up to 170 miles of range in just 30 minutes—enough time for a coffee break or a quick meal.
On a weekend trip to Palm Springs, I decided to stop at a Supercharger in Riverside, California, to top off the battery. Tesla has been expanding its urban Supercharger locations, making it easier to charge in city environments. Charging still takes longer than filling a tank of gas, but the convenience of Tesla’s network and the growing number of stations make long-distance travel more viable than ever before. The cost is another bonus: charging at home overnight is cheaper than paying for gas, and even using a Supercharger costs significantly less than a tank of fuel.
Autopilot: A Glimpse Into the Future of Driving
One of the most exciting features of the Tesla Model 3 is its Autopilot system. This semi-autonomous driving mode is a $5,000 option that many buyers will find hard to resist. Autopilot can handle most of the driving on highways, keeping the car in its lane, maintaining a set speed, and adjusting for traffic by braking and accelerating as needed. It can even change lanes with a simple tap of the indicator stalk, though it does so with a bit of abruptness.
During my trip to Palm Springs, Autopilot made freeway driving much more relaxing, particularly in stop-and-go traffic. The system excelled on straight roads, where it maintained a smooth and steady pace, but it struggled a bit on sharper curves, where it felt less confident. Tesla stresses that Autopilot is a driver aid, not a full replacement, and it requires you to keep your hands on the wheel at all times. If you take your hands off for too long, the system will flash a warning on the screen, reminding you to stay engaged. While Cadillac’s Super Cruise system, which tracks the driver’s head position, is more advanced in this regard, Tesla’s Autopilot is still one of the most impressive semi-autonomous systems available.
Tesla Model 3 Review
Review by Tesla Flex : In this detailed 3-month review of the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance, the reviewer delves into the car’s blend of power, efficiency, and cutting-edge tech. The Model 3 Performance offers impressive acceleration, agile handling, and a comfortable interior with a sleek minimalist design. The software experience is smooth, with regular updates keeping the vehicle ahead of the curve. However, the review touches on some downsides, including concerns over build quality and price. Overall, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is praised as a thrilling electric vehicle that’s worth the investment for EV enthusiasts.
Final Verdict: Does the Tesla Model 3 Live Up to the Hype?
After spending a week with the Tesla Model 3, I can confidently say that it lives up to much of the hype. It’s a car that blends cutting-edge technology with impressive performance, all while making electric vehicles more accessible to the average driver. The Model 3’s combination of sleek design, blistering acceleration, and access to Tesla’s robust charging network sets it apart from other EVs on the market.
There are, of course, some trade-offs. The reliance on a single touchscreen for nearly all controls can be distracting, and the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration might be a dealbreaker for some. However, these are relatively small compromises when weighed against the car’s numerous strengths.
For anyone considering making the switch to electric, the Tesla Model 3 is one of the best options available. Whether you’re navigating city streets, embarking on a road trip, or simply looking to reduce your carbon footprint, the Model 3 delivers an exciting, sustainable driving experience that few cars can match.
Read also: Top 10 Best-Selling EV Cars in USA (2024): Features, Prices, Units Sold (Till Q3)
FAQ
- Do Tesla Model 3 have autopilot ?
Yes, the Tesla Model 3 comes with Autopilot, an advanced driver assistance system designed to enhance safety and reduce driving stress.
- Do Tesla Model 3 seats fold down ?
Yes, the rear seats in the Tesla Model 3 can fold down to expand cargo space.
- Do tesla model 3 come with tinted windows ?
Yes, Tesla Model 3s come with factory tints, but they aren’t fully tinted.
- Tesla model 3 battery price ?
$13,000 to $22,000
- Tesla Model 3 battery warranty ?
Standard Range: 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first and Long Range or Performance: 8 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first.