Tesla
Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 introduces affordable EV driving to the masses with a range of vehicles that can deliver up to 360 miles between charges. The car is beautifully designed inside and out and boasts outstanding driving dynamics along with lots of cash-saving incentives for business drivers.
The good
Styling, handling and rangeThe bad
Quite heavy to driveTech Specs
Test Drive
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD – First Drive (2021)
Tesla first launched its highly-anticipated Model 3 car back in 2019 but it has recently been given a number of upgrades and there is a Long Range version capable of clocking up 360 miles between charges.
The four-door, five-passenger saloon is available in three different formats called Standard, Long Range and Performance with prices ranging from £40,990 to £59,990. Buyers can also select from rear- or all-wheel drive.
We opted for the Model 3 Long Range AWD priced at £48,490 (£54,490 including options). This car boasted a 0-60mph sprint time of just 4.2 seconds and maximum speed of 145mph. But if that’s no quite quick enough for you, then the Performance model completes the 0-60mph dash in just 3.1 seconds.
Tap the keycard on the B pillar and the driver’s door opens and the vehicle starts up in complete silence when the keycard is placed on the centre console.
The Model 3 Long Range is powered by a large 75kWh battery pack that is positioned in the car’s floor to help create excellent balance and a perfect centre of gravity. And with a total power output of 434bhp and 493Nm of torque at your disposal, the Model 3 has all the dynamism and acceleration you could possibly wish for.
Steering settings can be adjusted from Comfort, which has a lighter feel and is great for town centre driving to Standard, which is the preferred all-round setting and, finally, to Sport which increases the weight and is ideal for higher speeds.
Out on the open road, the Model 3 is an absolute delight to drive, although it does feel quite a heavy car which becomes more noticeable on twisting B roads with lots of sharper turns. It is really well grounded and there is no sign of body sway as you attack the bends. And the acceleration is instant with ample power to cruise at 70mph on motorways.
With dual-motor all-wheel-drive that controls the traction and torque, the Model 3 is poised and balanced with confident grip in all weather and driving conditions. The dual motors respond to changing driving conditions in as little as 10 milliseconds.
Recent design enhancements included more efficient tyres and a matt black trim to give the car a more distinctive appearance. Moving inside, the interior upgrades include the introduction of two inductive charging pads, along with two additional high-powered USB-C ports for high-speed charging, along with a matt black finish to replace the piano black surfaces.
Getting comfy is a simple process with power-adjustable seats and a powered steering wheel, and the minimalist theme is immediately apparent with next-to-no buttons or switches. The main focal point is the large 15-inch landscape touchscreen which is the car’s nerve centre. For example, it is used to adjust door mirrors, charging and then unlocking the cable, setting the speed of the wipers, opening the glovebox or boot and, of course, accessing the wealth of on-board technology.
As one would expect, creature comforts are plentiful and include Tesla’s own infotainment system covering Spotify (the car has its own account) and you can easily add yours to the mix, alongside media over Bluetooth. It also features YouTube, Netflix and other systems when stationary.
The screen’s graphics are sharp and, after a while, it all becomes second nature, although I would prefer to see the speed of the car in direct view rather than glancing at the touchscreen. Everything is kept bang up-to-date with over-the-air software updates that are automatically downloaded.
Passenger comfort levels are excellent and there is ample storage space in the boot with its 542-litre capacity as well as beneath the bonnet, along with various compartments scattered throughout the cabin.
The Tesla is kitted out with a comprehensive list of safety and driver assist systems and scored a maximum five stars in adult and child occupancy, as well as pedestrian and safety assist categories. Features include automatic emergency braking, intelligent cruise control that can be set to the national speed limit or your preferred speed, blind spot monitoring, plus a full suite of airbags.
And there is an excellent reversing camera set-up. Instead of just a single image being displayed on the screen, the Model 3 gives a direct rear view plus images from both door mirrors for total visibility of what’s going on behind the car.
There is forward-facing radar that has the ability to see through fog, heavy rain and beyond the vehicle ahead for ultimate visibility and accident prevention. And there is all the more standard safety kit too.
Charging the Model 3 from a 7.4kW home charger will add about 27 miles of driving range per hour. However, if you plug into one of Tesla’s 120kW superchargers the battery will be full in the time it takes to order a take-away coffee at the services.
All in all, the Tesla Model 3 is a superb piece of kit. Tesla has always been class-leading in its EV innovation and this car is another giant leap forward.
Visit Tesla for more details.
