{"id":373,"date":"2020-03-21T20:19:17","date_gmt":"2020-03-21T20:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evglobe.com\/?p=373"},"modified":"2020-03-24T20:14:06","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T20:14:06","slug":"tesla-model-3-test-drive-and-review-is-this-the-best-ev","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evglobe.com\/2020\/03\/21\/tesla-model-3-test-drive-and-review-is-this-the-best-ev\/","title":{"rendered":"Tesla Model 3 – TEST DRIVE and REVIEW – Is This The Best EV?"},"content":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s been called the most anticipated automobile in history<\/a> by numerous news outlets. Nearly half-a-million people plunked down a $1,000 (refundable) deposit to reserve one, years before they would actually be able to take delivery of it. They did so without ever seeing the actual production version, without being able to sit in one let alone test drive it, and without knowing what the actual cost was going to be. That. Is. Crazy.<\/p>\n Yet, I admit that I\u2019m one of the crazy ones. On March 31th, 2016, I waited until the line of about 250 people that came before me dissipated, and then walked into the Tesla store at the Short Hills Mall in New Jersey and handed them $1,000 with no clear knowledge of when my car would be available, what exactly it would look like or how much it would cost. Walking out of the mall I thought to myself, \u201cDid I just order a car, or did I just join a cult?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s nearly two years later and I still don\u2019t have my Model 3. Tesla has pushed my estimated delivery date back twice now. Originally, my estimate was late 2017 to early 2018, but after another delay just this week, my new delivery window estimate is now April 2018 \u2013 June 2018.<\/p>\n Luckily for me, we aren\u2019t in urgent need of car and can wait. I recently took possession of a 2018 BMW i3 Sport, and my wife has a car to use until the Model 3 arrives. The i3 Sport is actually my fifth BMW electric car, and I have a long history of driving BMW EVs dating back to 2009 when I was in BMW\u2019s MINI-E test program<\/a>.<\/p>\n So when it comes to electric cars, I\u2019m used to being called crazy. I\u2019ve been saying, blogging and writing about how battery electrics were soon going to replace internal combustion for nearly a decade now, and only recently have people begun to think that might be true.<\/p>\n Tesla, by the way, has had a lot to do with that. While most other OEMs were busy making small compliance EVs, Tesla has been going head to head with the traditional OEM\u2019s luxury models, and faring pretty well at that. Model S sales have consistently surpassed BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Lexus and Jaguar, making it the best-selling car in its class in the US.<\/p>\n But will the Model 3 also do that to the competition in the compact premium and midsized classes? Judging from the reservation list and early reviews, it just might. I was able to secure the use of a Model 3 from a friend who had recently taken delivery, and below are some of my thoughts.<\/p>\n The Good<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Appearance:<\/strong> The exterior styling is excellent, in my opinion. Styling of course is highly subjective, I really like how the car looks. It has a nice blend of sporty aggressiveness as well as conservative class.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Interior:<\/strong> The minimalist interior gets marks in both the good and the bad categories. Everything is controlled by the huge center touch screen. It\u2019s pretty intuitive, and I was able to perform most tasks immediately, without getting help from the car\u2019s owner.<\/p>\n Although it\u2019s definitely going to take some time for new owners to get used to having everything controlled by center screen. Not having buttons and levers to perform common tasks definitely feels unnatural at first. The seats are very comfortable and supportive. They are much better than the first-generation Model S seats were.<\/p>\n Tesla has since updated the Model S seats and the \u201cNext Generation\u201d seats are very supportive and comfortable. I place the Model 3\u2019s seats in between the original Model S seats and the ones currently used for comfort and support. The rear seats are comfortable and there\u2019s plenty of leg and head room for most adults. The rear seats fold flat so longer cargo can extend up into the rear seating area from the trunk, if necessary.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Performance:<\/strong> The instant, neck snapping torque that\u2019s become synonymous with Tesla wasn\u2019t left out of the Model 3. It\u2019s not as powerful as a P100D Model S, but it has 271 HP and 307 lb-ft of torque and a curb weight of 3,838 lbs. That\u2019s enough power to launch the Model 3 from 0-60 in 4.8 seconds and through the quarter mile in 13.4 seconds at 104.9 mph, according to Motor Trend<\/a>.<\/p>\n Which, by the way, is quicker than a BMW 330i, and I\u2019m sure that wasn\u2019t accidental since Tesla has stated that the Model 3 will target potential 3-Series customers.<\/p>\n Handling and Ride:<\/strong> One of the first things I noticed in my time behind the wheel was how solid and planted the car feels. The steering is direct and is just heavy enough. Tesla definitely got that right, in my opinion. I didn\u2019t have the car on a track, but I was able to toss it around a bit on some curves and it performed like a true sports sedan should.<\/p>\n