Kelley Blue Expert Review on the Tesla Model 3

The Model 3 is Tesla’s rendition of the long-prophesized electric car for the masses. This sleekly styled, compact 5-seat sedan dazzles with cool features, ample electric range, and a $36,000 ($35,000 plus a $1,000 delivery charge) starting price. But, there’s a catch. The only Model 3s being built now are the mid-range (260-mile) and long-range (310-mile) versions. With reduced support from federal tax credits and a current base price around $45,000, the Tesla Model 3 is still too pricey for most mainstream car shoppers. But for those who can afford it, the smallest and least expensive Tesla offers day-to-day usability, surprisingly fun road manners, a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), and an intriguing glimpse of a gasoline-free future. You'll Like This Car If... If you’re smitten by technology and touch screens, if you prefer software updates to tune-ups, and if you like the idea of using electricity instead of fossil fuel, you’ll dig this Tesla. You May Not Like This Car If... Unlike Model S and Model X owners, Model 3 owners must pay to use Tesla’s increasingly vast Supercharger high-speed vehicle charging network. For charging at home, installing a level-2 station is a must, as charging your Model 3 from a regular household outlet could take a week or longer. What's New for 2019 The perpetually iconoclastic Tesla doesn’t believe in model years, instead it makes vehicle changes whenever needed (sometimes via software updates). That said, the Model 3 roster has expanded of late to include a mid-range rear-wheel-drive version (260 miles) with a cheaper $47,000 base price. Meanwhile, long-range Model 3s (310 miles) now feature dual-motor, all-wheel-drive traction with the Performance variant delivering thrilling 3.3-second sprints to 60 miles per hour. Wheee! Driving It Driving Impressions With its large battery pack in the low and flat floor, plus a mostly steel chassis, the Model 3 tips the scales at nearly 4,000 pounds. But with most of that mass being low and between the axles, the Model 3 behaves like a proper sports sedan on a twisty road, aided by minimal body roll and a slightly rear-heavy 48/52 weight distribution. The regenerative brakes, steering effort, and accelerator behavior are all adjustable, allowing the driver to fine-tune his driving experience. In motion, the Model 3’s powertrain is so quiet that road noise from the tires is more pronounced than in other cars. Nevertheless, the Tesla Model 3 is pleasant to drive, firm but comfortably suspended, and possessing a low cowl that provides a great forward view. Favorite Features OVER-THE-AIR UPDATABILITY When Tesla recently sought to improve the braking performance of Model 3s already in customer hands, it did so via an over-the-air update to the anti-lock tuning of the brakes. Stopping distances from 60 mph were reduced by nearly 20 feet. Impressive. TWIN THUMB SCROLLS Not a huge deal, but novel: Dual scroll wheels on the spokes of the Model 3’s thick-rimmed steering wheel allow the driver to power-adjust the tilt and telescoping functions while keeping hands on the wheel, right where they should be. Vehicle Details Interior The Model 3’s interior is minimalist and handsome, almost Scandinavian. Front seats are supportive and offer plenty of headroom, but the 60/40-split rear bench has a low seat cushion that places passengers’ legs in a knee-high position. Lacking switches, knobs or a conventional instrument panel, the Model 3 instead uses a 15-inch multifunction touch tablet mounted horizontally atop the center stack to manage everything from air conditioning and charging information to the audio and navigation systems. For the driver, speedometer and other critical vehicle information are displayed and easy to read in the top left corner of the screen. With minimal practice, this all-powerful interface works great. Exterior With the absence of a radiator and a traditional front grille, the Model 3 lets you know right away it’s an electric vehicle (EV), and a handsome one at that. This compact EV sedan stands out from the crowd, highlighted by its low cowl, sweeping aerodynamic roofline, and flush door handles. Choose the Performance model and the exterior style is amplified with a lowered ride height, 20-inch wheels and a carbon-fiber spoiler. Notable Standard Equipment Besides standard automatic emergency braking and eight airbags, the Tesla Model 3 has Wi-Fi and LTE Internet connectivity, voice-activated controls, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a center console with two USB ports. Streaming FM/Internet radio is also standard, as is a front trunk just big enough to accept a large piece of carry-on airline baggage. Black paint comes standard, but any other exterior hue will cost between $1,500 and $2,500. Notable Optional Equipment While technically optional, the Premium Interior package is currently being added to all cars. Its future absence will help yield a lower starting price. Till then, all Model 3s include heated 12-way power-adjustable front seats, two rear USB ports, premium interior materials with handsome open-pore wood trim, a more powerful audio system, and a panoramic glass roof that gives the 5-seat Model 3 cabin an airy feel. The 2019 Tesla Model 3 also offers a $5,000 Enhanced Autopilot package that uses cameras, radar and ultra-sonic sensors to competently brake, accelerate and steer itself within its lane -- under the constant watchful eye of its driver, of course. Under the Hood Open the Model’s 3’s hood and all you’ll see is that handy front trunk. An electric motor is nestled between the rear wheels and, optionally, the front wheels as well. The long-range Tesla Model 3s being delivered now have a 75-kWh lithium-ion battery while the mid-range variant uses a 62-kWh battery pack. The standard Model 3, with its 50-kWh pack, is scheduled to arrive sometime in 2019. As you can see from the specs listed below, Tesla plays it close to the vest where horsepower and torque are concerned. AC induction electric motor with 50-kWh battery pack N/A horsepower N/A torque EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A MPGe AC induction electric motor with 62-kWh battery pack (estimated) N/A horsepower N/A torque EPA city/highway fuel economy: 128 MPGe/117 MPGe AC induction electric motor with 75-kWh battery pack (all-wheel drive) N/A horsepower N/A torque EPA city/highway fuel economy: 120 MPGe/112 MPGe Pricing Notes To reserve a 2019 Tesla Model 3, you’ll need to visit Tesla’s website and place a $2,500 deposit. The fabled 220-mile, $36,000 base Model 3 won’t enter production until sometime in 2019. What you can buy right now are the $45,200 mid-range rear-wheel-drive version (260 miles), the $52,200 long-range, dual-motor model (310 miles), or the action-packed $63,200 Performance Model 3 (310 miles). All prices include a $1,200 destination fee.