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"An electric car that defied and defies expectations."
"An electric car that defied and defies expectations."
Elon Musk described the initial reveal of the Model 3 with just four words. "Welcome to production hell." He was astonished about the 450,000 reservations that were made during the first quarter of 2018. Now with production ramping up and deliveries being made, let's see why the Model 3 is the best electric car on the market today.
Trim Levels
Trim Levels
Trim levels and pricing only applies to the 2020 model year Tesla Model 3.
Standard Range Plus RWD
Standard Range Plus RWD
MSRP $37,990*
MSRP $37,990*
Long Range AWD
Long Range AWD
MSRP $46,990*
MSRP $46,990*
Performance AWD
Performance AWD
MSRP $54,990*
MSRP $54,990*
* - Tax credits are available, but they're all dependent on the location of residence and federal tax incentives.
Exterior Design
Exterior Design
The Model 3 looks a lot more like an electric car than its other siblings. The Model 3 has its own look compared to the Model S and X. The Model 3 has standard full LED headlights, no matter the configuration.
Around the side, the Model 3 still has the same chic and aerodynamic look as its bigger brothers, all in the name of efficiency and maximum range. The coefficient of drag is a sleek 0.23 Cg, which helps it push the maximum range over 300 miles. It is also notably smaller in dimensions when compared to the Model S and X, which puts it in line directly with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and other German rivals.
Out back, it's typical Tesla. Simple, clean, and elegant. The Model 3 comes standard once again with fully LED taillights. A power trunk does not come on the Model 3, which is fine. No exhaust fakery here, as the Model 3 is 100% electric.
Interior Design
Interior Design
The Model 3 hands-down steals the award for the simplest and most clutter-free interior. And it would even win in year 2100, where automakers go to touch-sensitive buttons to control their infotainment system.
The premium interior option comes for the Long Range model, where 14-way power leatherette front seats with 4-way power lumbar, even for the passenger. It has nearly the same design as every other Tesla.
The Model 3 is literally almost button-free. Everything is controlled by the 15.4-inch touchscreen in the middle. There isn't even a typical gauge cluster in front of you! It's all in the infotainment system. I'm definitely not a fan of this, but I suspect that it isn't much of a learning curve.
The rear seats are quite comfortable considering its size. Passenger volume actually feels bigger than its 99 cubic feet suggests. Head room is plentiful, as there is a full glass roof above your head. Leg room is also pretty good. Because the chassis is a "skateboard" design (where the batteries lay underneath the passenger compartment), the floor is entirely flat, so with three adults in the rear, they'll be equally as comfortable, and will enjoy the heated rear seats in all three positions.
Safety & Technology
Safety & Technology
The Model 3 earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest award for 2020, the Top Safety Pick+.
The Model 3 aces all crash tests, including the passenger-side small overlap crash test. It also gets Good rated headlights which are on all trims, and a Superior rated standard front crash prevention system when vehicle-to-vehicle. It does only earn an Advanced rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention, but it's better than nothing.
The Model 3 also gets Autopilot, a feature built in that promises complete hands-free driving, when laws allow for full self-driving.
The Model 3 is packed with the latest safety tech, including autonomous braking and pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane keeping assist, and more.
Driving Impressions
Driving Impressions
No impressions yet. We will be reviewing the Model 3 very soon and we'll let you know the driving impressions when we have the ability to drive it.
Performance
Performance
The Model 3 comes in three trim levels.
Kicking off the range is the Standard Range Plus model. Only available in rear-drive, the Model 3 Standard Range has a 50-kWh battery pack that pumps out 201 horsepower and 258 lb/ft of torque, with the ability to go up to 250 miles on a full charge. It will also accelerate to 60 in just 5.6 seconds. Pretty quick for just a base model.
Then there's the middle trim known as the Long Range. Only available in AWD, it gets a larger 75-kWh battery pack and puts out 346 horsepower and 376 lb/ft of torque, and ups the range to up to 322 miles. 0-60 drops to around the low 4-second range.
Finally, there's the ludicrous Performance model. Once again only available in AWD, the Performance model has the same 75-kWh battery pack as the Long Range, but performance is turned up to 450 horsepower and 471 lb/ft of torque, with range that drops to 299 miles when compared to the Long Range. 0-60 is a face-warping 3.2 seconds, pushing it way far ahead of even it's fastest rivals.
Performance Figures
Performance Figures
Long Range AWD
Horsepower (hp @ RPM)
346 @ 0
346 @ 0
Torque (lb/ft @ RPM)
376 @ 0
376 @ 0
Transmission(s)
Single-speed reduction gear
Single-speed reduction gear
Drivetrain
AWD
AWD
EPA Estimated Range (miles)
322
322
0-60 Time
4.1 seconds*
4.1 seconds*
1/4-mile (sec @ mph)
n/a
n/a
* - estimated
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
Final Verdict & REVIEWS Score
A final verdict will be reached once the vehicle has been reviewed.
A final verdict will be reached once the vehicle has been reviewed.
TBD/85 | Accumulated Score
TBD/85 | Accumulated Score
TBD | Reliability
TBD | Reliability
TBD | Ergonomics
TBD | Ergonomics
TBD | Value
TBD | Value
TBD | Innovation
TBD | Innovation
TBD | Electronics
TBD | Electronics
TBD | Wow factor
TBD | Wow factor
TBD | Safety
TBD | Safety
TBD/70 | Subtotal Score
TBD/70 | Subtotal Score
TBD/15 | Subjective Category
TBD/15 | Subjective Category
Media
Media
We are reviewing this vehicle very soon. Check our social media networks for updates on this review.
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Coming soon.
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