Summary

• Improved construct high quality and driving dynamics make the 2024 Tesla Model 3 a extra refined premium sedan than its predecessor.
• The automotive retains its fun-to-drive nature, with fast acceleration and smoother dealing with, offering a real sport sedan expertise.
• While missing in bodily controls and a gap glass roof, the Model 3 gives aggressive cargo area and superior technological options at an attainable worth.

Whether you hated the first-generation Tesla Model 3 for its shady construct high quality or, , Elon Musk, or cherished it for its dealing with dynamics, superior vary and power effectivity, I feel we are able to all agree that the automotive made some severe ripples within the automotive trade. As I’m penning this, it is nonetheless the best-selling electric car in the world, overwhelmed solely by a pair of crossovers, the BYD Song and its personal twin brother, the Model Y.

The Model 3 was a bookend automotive for Tesla. It signaled the company’s do-or-die moment which, though it arrived with its share of complications and frustrations, managed to tug the corporate out of startup standing and into the large-scale automotive juggernaut it’s immediately.

After promoting several million Model 3s world wide, Tesla has given its fashionable little sedan a facelift for the 2024 mannequin yr, however not the standard sort the automotive trade has gotten accustomed to. Rather, this new Model 3 goals at correcting a number of the final automotive’s manufacturing and engineering faults, as a result of sure, though it was an important electrical car (EV), it was removed from excellent.

Have the modifications allowed the Model 3 to develop right into a extra mature product? I’m right here to inform you that, sure, Tesla’s entry stage sedan can now lastly be certified as a real, premium car.

Since Tesla press fleet entry may be very restricted, the automotive pictured right here belongs to a Model 3 proprietor. When I picked up the car, it had an 80% cost. I spent a complete day with it as a substitute of the standard full week with official press items. For detailed perception into testing procedures and knowledge assortment, please assessment our methodology policy.

2024 Tesla Model 3 First Impressions

I’ve personally at all times preferred the best way the final Model 3 seemed, however the truth that there at the moment are so a lot of them on the street – particularly in my part of the world – has made the automotive change into as generic as a lamp publish.

This new mannequin does not do a lot to alter that, because it’s basically the identical total form as earlier than, albeit with revised entrance and rear fascias, principally to assist cut back the automotive’s drag coefficient. The latter is now down at a formidable 0.219 versus 0.225 within the outdated automotive. It additionally makes you surprise why Hyundai labored so onerous at making its IONIQ 6 (Cd of 0.21) appear like a banana.

But a minimum of, Hyundai is attempting to make its EVs look enjoyable and funky. I imply, try the IONIQ 5. It jogs my memory of a Lancia Delta Integrale that is been pixelated into the long run. I do want Tesla had that type of enjoyable with its designs. Then once more, the Cybertruck proves that this might not be a good suggestion in any case.

About the 2024 Model 3’s construct high quality: I’ve examined panel gaps, rubber moldings and the best way the doorways match with their frames as they shut shut (see pictures above).

Honestly, at first look, the automotive seems simply as properly put collectively as another product from a big-name carmaker, and positively an enormous step ahead in the fitting route.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Although the first-generation automotive at all times felt prefer it was made out of cardboard from its loud cabin rattles and poor noise insulation, it was at all times a tremendously enjoyable automotive to drive. I’ve at all times mentioned that that is what an electrical BMW 3 Series ought to have felt like, though BMW’s own i4 does a fairly good job at doing that now.

The Model 3 nonetheless feels gentle on its ft, agile, exact and, due to the absence of an precise dashboard (extra on that later), yields fabulous ahead visibility. I additionally love the small, direct steering wheel, permitting you to essentially place the automotive the place you need it. And though I’ve at all times most well-liked single-motor, rear-wheel drive automobiles for his or her playfulness, this all-wheel drive mannequin nonetheless looks like Tesla’s engineers have baked real driving dynamics into it. It drives like a real sport sedan.

One of the large modifications this yr is a closely redesigned entrance and rear suspension. The new parts intention at making a extra managed trip and stopping extreme bouncing over tough roads, which was an obvious downside within the outdated automotive. The Model 3 additionally bought new bushings and subframes.

I affirm that these alterations have helped the Model 3’s total conduct. The automotive now drives smoother, is extra grown-up in the best way it offers with street imperfections, and is a minimum of 50% extra snug on tough roads over the outdated automotive.

Tesla additionally improved the cabin’s total sound deadening, claiming that the automotive is now 20% quieter. One gripe I had with two of the three last-generation automobiles I reviewed, was sound infiltration from the pillar-less doorways at excessive speeds. That’s now gone as this new automotive is unquestionably quieter inside, feeling as vault-like as a Mercedes.

Performance Specifications

2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Energy Consumption, Range And Charging

Since I solely had the automotive for a day, I could not correctly consider its power effectivity and vary. I’ll have to e book the automotive on a automotive sharing platform – or, if I’m fortunate, via Tesla – for an extended run so I can correctly check it out.

Over the span of roughly 70 miles, with outside temperatures hanging round 41 levels Farenheit (5 levels Celsius), the onboard pc displayed a median power consumption ranking of 104.7 MPGe, a quantity that is above Tesla’s claims. When I ended my run, I related it to a Tesla Supercharger the place the proprietor was ready for her automotive. See the desk under for official numbers from the EPA and Natural Resources Canada.

Energy Consumption Data

Interior Design And Comfort

The new Model 3 carries over an identical cabin design theme because the earlier automotive, within the sense that it makes do with no conventional dashboard and a really minimalist strategy. Again, the modifications are discovered within the advantageous particulars right here, resembling normal cabin supplies, match and end and cabin lighting.

For occasion, gone is the outdated wooden trim the earlier automobiles had on their dashboard. It’s been changed by a extra welcoming wool-like materials. There’s now suede-like surfaces contained in the door playing cards, in addition to a brand new LED strip that spans the dashboard under the windshield and stretches all the best way to the rear doorways. The shade of the strip will be tailor-made to the driving force’s profile.

The heart console – which comprises a large storage compartment – now not looks like a wobbly afterthought, however fairly a inflexible, stable piece. All touch-points at the moment are met with a sense of high quality and longevity. I labored extra time to seek out trim items that did not intersect properly with each other. I did not discover any.

But whereas the glass roof does enable the Model 3’s cabin to at all times stay properly lit up, it will have been good if it really opened this time round.

If you are a tall particular person, the fairly small Model 3 by no means feels cramped inside. Once that entrance seat is about up accordingly, leg and headroom and by no means a difficulty. And it is the identical story within the rear, the place greater than ample head and legroom allowed a tall particular person resembling myself to seek out consolation with ease.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Technology is clearly the place the Model 3 flexes its largest muscle tissue. You do not function this automotive the identical means you’d another car available on the market, for higher or for worse.

In typical Tesla trend, the automotive will be unlocked and activated utilizing the Tesla app in your cellphone, or in my case, the visitor key card. You merely place it on the cellphone charging tray for the automotive to detect it.

As a part of Tesla’s obsession with cost-cutting and Elon’s – ahem – Asperger’s syndrome, the brand new Model 3 removes all stalks, together with its drive selector and wiper/blinker branches. To put the automotive into the D place, one due to this fact must press the brake pedal and slide a slider on the automotive’s foremost command display screen, or, contact a haptic suggestions button situated on the automotive’s ceiling. Yes, the ceiling.

You’ll have to repeat the identical form of ridiculous wizardry to activate the automotive’s blinkers, as they’re now buttons on the steering wheel, like on some motorcycles. And I inform you, that is extremely disagreeable to function. Some will inform you that you will get used to it. I say that is garbage, as we have been accustomed to working a stalk for nearly a full century now. This is a traditional case of not needing to reinvent the wheel.

That all being mentioned, Tesla nonetheless masters the software program consumer expertise because the Model 3’s central command display screen is at all times pleasing to take a look at, simple to grasp and responds with the identical fluidity as an iPhone. Everything is managed through this display screen, from steering wheel changes to local weather management settings.

But I do nonetheless want Tesla had given us some bodily buttons to function a few of these instructions. The speedometer can also be on that display screen, and annoyingly blends too simply with the interface. This is one thing that might have simply been fastened by becoming the automotive with a heads-up show.

I may write a full assessment of that display screen alone because it encapsulates a full plethora of options, choices and apps, some extra helpful than others. Users can then obtain further apps and, after all, your complete system is appropriate with over-the-air (OTA) updates, so it’s going to at all times keep contemporary with the most recent toys.

Finally, there is a second, smaller display screen within the rear to maintain rear passengers busy via varied apps, resembling audio/video gamers, in addition to video video games.

Cargo And Storage Space

Interestingly sufficient, though the Model 3 is basically the identical automotive as earlier than by way of its exterior dimensions, Tesla has managed to extract 1.2 cubic-feet of further cargo area over the outdated automotive. The Model 3 can also be outfitted with a frunk (entrance trunk). Now whereas it is nonetheless not as sensible as a few of its hatchback opponents just like the BMW i4 and the Polestar 2, it nonetheless stays aggressive in its respective section. See the desk under for reference.

How The 2024 Tesla Model 3 Compares To Its Competition

Since it’s thought-about a premium product, the Tesla Model 3 faces stiff competitors from Europe, notably from the Polestar 2 and BMW i4. However, it sits at a a lot lower cost level than these automobiles, clearly showcasing Tesla’s skill to supply shoppers lots of worth for the value.

I’d due to this fact fairly pit the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 because the 2024 Tesla Model 3’s true direct rival, as each automobiles supply comparable traits, efficiency, and vary, all at an identical worth level.

2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range Versus 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive

While Tesla sells dual-motor all-wheel drive as a whole bundle with the Long Range mannequin, Hyundai gives you the choice of choosing it or not as an possibility, even on the bottom SE trim stage.

When outfitted with it, the Hyundai kicks off at an MSRP of $47,065 versus $47,740 for the Tesla. These costs don’t take note of obtainable authorities incentives for the acquisition of an EV.

Out of the field, you are getting a bit extra marketed vary from the Tesla; 341 miles versus 316. Both automobiles can quick cost to an identical fee; 240 kW for the Hyundai and 250 kW for the Tesla. It’s the identical story for his or her stage 2 house charging onboard chargers. They are nearly similar at 10.9 kW for the Hyundai and 11.5 for the Tesla. Their 0-60 MPH are additionally about the identical, each a hair beneath 4.5 seconds.

Overall cargo area, nonetheless, is the place the Model 3 beats the IONIQ 6, which does not have a frunk. You solely get 11.2 cu-ft of whole cargo area within the Hyundai, versus 24.1 within the Tesla. Finally, whereas Hyundai EVs at the moment are compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger network, Tesla house owners will nonetheless have entry to extra chargers, in addition to receiving the most recent, state-of-the artwork options and items earlier than different manufacturers.

One Of The Best Values In The Electric Sedan Space

Thanks to a a lot improved construct high quality and inside refinement, in addition to considerably extra grown-up driving dynamics, the arguments for not selecting a 2024 Tesla Model 3 over considered one of its opponents at the moment are operating skinny. Sure, the automotive has some bizarre ergonomic quirks inside, and I do want Tesla did like Hyundai by returning to physical buttons, nevertheless it’s actually very onerous to fault this automotive.

Of course, I’ll have to spend extra time with it throughout an extended, extra thorough assessment, however I feel it is honest to say that the Model 3 is lastly a totally grown-up product that is poised to proceed giving its newest competitors a severe run for its cash.