Tesla Model 3 2021 review: Long Range - how does the biggest battery fare around town?
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- 00:00 Intro
01:17 Pricing
02:43 Design
06:59 Practicality
09:47 Energy consumption
11:15 Motor
11:44 Driving
16:18 Safety
17:18 Ownership
17:50 Verdict
Like technology trailblazers which came before it (and which it so clearly seeks to emulate) like Apple with the smartphone as we know it today, or Dyson with its stick vacuum, Tesla is the poster company for vehicle electrification.
It's undeniable the effect the brand has had on the global car market, forcing storied automaker's hands in proving full scale production (even though it might be rocky at times) of an electric-only car is not only possible, but it can be profitable and popular, too.
Which brings us to the Model 3. Following on from the successful but expensive Model S sedan and Model X SUV, the Model 3 promised to be an accessible, affordable EV for the masses, a proper people's car for the electric era.
So, has Tesla managed to achieve this? Or, is slick EV motoring at a reasonable price still a pipe dream for every-day motorists? We tested the Model 3 for a week to find out.
Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?
Which Model 3 are we testing, you ask? Currently in Australia there are three options. The Standard Plus, Long Range Dual Motor, and the Performance.
Our car was the mid-grade Long Range Dual Motor. The dual-motor moniker just means it has the electric version of all-wheel drive, and Long Range indicates this is the one with the biggest battery, with an estimated range of 580km, according to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
You'll note straight away this much range is unrivalled by pretty much any other EV on the market right now, but it comes at a cost.
This red car we tested wears a drive-away price of $93,549, with an MSRP of $86,325. Tesla provided a rather helpful breakdown of all the costs involved, making special mention of all the taxes you're slugged with if you buy one, specifically in NSW.
$7224 of on-road costs or not, the MSRP is still a far-cry from the affordable accessible electric car I bet Tesla wanted the Model 3 to be. To be fair here, you can get into the rear-wheel drive Standard Plus from an MSRP of $66,900 (probably closer to $80k on-road, 430km WLTP range) which can bring the cost down a little.
It's a significant price-leap from non-premium competitors like the MG ZS EV ($43,990) and the Nissan Leaf ($49,990), though neither can come anywhere close to the Model 3's stellar range capacity.
A more reasonable direct rival, then, is the Hyundai Kona EV (from $60,740) which is competitive on range, too (449km WLTP).
The Long Range as tested here has 19-inch alloy wheels, 12-way power adjustable front seats, with heated seats all-round, clad in vegan leather, premium 14-speaker stereo (actually great), that huge 15-inch tablet floating in the centre which serves as both the multimedia interface and instrument cluster, full LED exterior lighting, a panoramic glass roof, heated auto-folding wing-mirrors, and a surround camera suite.
The safety stuff in this car is... unconventional, but we'll get to that in the Safety section of this review, and Tesla backs that huge screen with sim connectivity which it needs for various key features like the excellent phone app and built-in streaming services.
A very welcome dual wireless phone charging pad appears under the screen, which helps keep its slick interior wire-free.
The car also has more than its share of gimmicks which deserve a mention, like theatre mode, and being able to draw doodles on the screen and play mobile games while the car is parked and what not.
Wholly unnecessary, but if you've got kids they'll love it, plus the theatre mode is handy if you often spend time waiting behind the wheel.
Interestingly, the Model 3 has no CarPlay connectivity with the brand betting you'll use built-in versions of popular streaming apps.
You can also pre-set the nav using the Tesla app, but I found it a bit annoying being unable to browse my iPhone's music library easily, even though it can stream audio and calls via Bluetooth.
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While everything is controlled through the touchscreen, Tesla’s implementation of voice commands is really good, meaning that the touchscreen need not be accessed each time you want to do something.
Agreed. Hence dislike of this video for the presenters lack of homework’s to explain in the review.
Also volume can be controlled on the steering wheel not just on the screen.
Switch to auto pilot when fiddling with settings is my tip.
Yep it works brilliantly. It requires a change of mindset... maybe thats the issue with the operator here...
You don't have to operate everything via the touch screen, the voice actuated system allows you to operate most thing without ever taking your eyes off the road.
Press the button on the steering and say "I'm too hot/too cold", "Set the climate control to 21°, "Navigate to Perth centre", "Turn on the wipers", "Open the charge flap", Open the glove box" etc etc etc.
Thats not a solution.
@@zoltrix7779 The reviewer missed a big opportunity to talk about it. whether it’s a full solution or not, is irrelevant.
Great watch!!
Great review well presented.
Excellent review.
This was one of the nicest to watch Model 3 reviews I´ve seen. I really enjoyed your video
You can just swipe down anywhere on a window to close it. You don’t have to press the x. Or use voice commands.
Nice review
as a parent who has busy kids and does a lot of waiting in the car outside, the multimedia screen and games/movies etc..... is REALLY important.
While generally a good overall review regarding contents, you did not devote any time to the long list of voice commands that negate the need to use the touch screen. You concentrated on how much one needs to use the screen to do everything but in reality, using voice commands eliminates much of the need for screen use while driving and increases safety as well.
Why would you compare the boot to a BMW or a C Class Mercedes. They are completely different vehicles. The boot space in the Tesla is huge for the size of the car. And I have driven a heap of big sedans, more than you have ever driven I know that for a fact. The boot space is more than adequate.
This car is awesome
The only barrier to entry for me is cost.
I though it used a visual system for its safety systems , not lidar and now radar has been removed I believe.
Hmm, saying it’s hard to control volume through the touchscreen… That’s what the roller wheels on the steering wheel are for! While it’s true that a lot is controlled through the screen, it’s just not right to say everything has to be. The buttons on the steering wheel and stalks allow you to control many common functions.
Thank you for this excellent review on the model three. I have ordered mine and I’m waiting patiently for a VIN. I did get the red with the white interior. How did you like the red in person?
Thanks again. Great job
I’m considering red - couldn’t find any info on whether it will fade or these days that’s not an issue?
@@ecoshack I don’t see it as fading. However, I can tell you it is a wonderful color! Absolutely beautiful especially with the white interior.
You don’t have to use the screen. Press button and audio set almost all features!
It would be nice if your reviewers knew that Teslas do not use radar or LiDAR but just camera vision.
If the worst thing is the price what about the base model which has similar range, 200kg lighter and premium pearl paint for free. Saying this is a 90k car is kind of misleading when you can get nearly the same thing for 65k.
I like the gimmicks on the screen, what if you’re travelling and decide you want a break, pull up to a charger, watch a 30 minute netflix episode and plus side to that is youre charged when you finish !
As a leaf driver, I’ll be testing a model 3 next week, I wonder as an EV driver what the reaction will be. The leaf is nice and quick around town and not a rocket but quicker response than any fast car I’ve owned. But I’ll be keen to get away from front wheel drive, grip even in the dry is an issue because of the torque. In the wet it’s terrible.
Well?
What did you think? You can’t leave us hanging
Sorry covid lockdown killed the test drive. Also no hatch got a no from the wife. So im waiting ........ on the Y
You need to divorce dream crusher 😂
No buttons, menus on screen difficult to use when driving, why not use voice control?
Price and rebates here in WA....WHY ONLY OTHER STATES
Cost,range and charging time are the barriers for me switching to BEV at present however I am interested in the fuel cell vehicles. Refueling infrastructure is an issue at present but that will improve in time much as battery recharging infrastructure has. The biggest benefit I like with fuel cell vehicles is the time refuelling takes,much like an internal combustion engine vehicle.
I think that you can forget fuel cells being used in the car market. They use rare metals and the word rare is the clue. Normally scaling up in production reduces price but with rare metals the opposite is the case.
Can't fuel up at home.
So you’re driving more than 600km a day? 😂
Fuel cells are so inefficient of energy they are more expensive to run than ICE, they are being pushed by oil and trad-car manufactures (Toyota only really now) as it maintains the status quo as 97% of hydrogen comes from oil. Second problem with fueling with hydrogen is that everything gets really cold, so there has to be a 20 minute wait between each car fueling so that the delivery system at the fuel station warms back up again. Funny how they never tell you that one.
Like other said, why do you need such range, you must have a bladder the size of a bucket. Remember (1), you leave home every day with a full tank of fuel from charging at home, so except for road trips you never charge away from home. (2) When you charge at a supercharger you do it in "parallel", you go for pee and coffee while you charge - and it will be charged by the time you get back, so this is quicker than an ICE car as you have to fuel THEN go for a pee and coffee.
The biggest change is that you top up at home - where it is cheap, and you always have a fueled up car every day.
I am seriously considering buying a model 3, so looking into power connection in the garage, already have solar panels, and battery installed. Yes I accept the fact that its a computer on wheels, and a different mindset. So its not for everybody. But the same thing happened when ICE's were introduced, I have been told. Once I have made the change, I will be able to buy any EV.
We had the wall charger installed at home, the electrician charged $300 and it took him a few hours.
Charging from 20% to full is roughly 4-5hrs, so an overnight charge is always more than enough, and we’ve never needed to charge away from home.
For short urban journeys, it really isn’t any compromise at all.
@@KevinSan88 Did you install single phase?
@@EastWood2004 I already had 3 phase in the garage
@@KevinSan88 Cheap electrician, who the hell would spend most of the day installing somthing for $300 including materials whilst running a business?
@@zoltrix7779 Nah, it didn't take him long, he was gone within a couple of hours
My next car may be a model 3, I'm just concerned about not having speed displayed in front of me and having to use the screen for hvac controls.
We've had our model 3 long range for two weeks now and believe me, it's not a problem. You also don't have the distraction of tachos, fuel, oil and temp gauges. The tesla is a dream to drive.
Just now tested it, and this was a worry I had.
Not an issue in the slightest. I could see the current tempo just fine in my peripheral vision, but if you need to do anything on the panel you also have the whole left part of it showing a real time view of your surroundings.
Test the car out man. That's the only way you can be sure.
You can fit an after market for £500 in 2 hours if you must, but I have not, as it does not bother me. I never understood the difference people had with "taking your eyes off the road" to find your speed - when you always have to do that in any car (without a HUD). You still have to know where to look in any car, just is it a slightly different direction.
@@Tom55data also worth keeping in mind, you likely are using the cruise control either way, which also regulates the speed automagically depending on the car ahead. I love these cars
You did an excellent job Tom of imparting information that is outside the realm of most car reviews. I expect that Telstra will include customizable tactile controls in future models which gives owners a reason to update - dare I say, planned obsolescence.
Telstra? Now there's a faux par!
They won't they have already removed even more tactile inpits on the new Model S. There biggest thing is their charging network, without that, I'd pick another EV.
Nah it’s like when the iPhone came out in 2007 and while all phones had buttons at the time, Steve Jobs noted that buttons aren’t context sensitive and you can’t issue new buttons via a software update. Touchscreens are here to stay.
Dude, what’s that watch you are wearing?
Did you find out?
@@chezchezchezchez Yeah, I worked it out. It's a Casio World Timer.
A holographic display? There’s voice commands for pretty much everything. No distractions when driving
Exactly. If you're hot, say "I'm hot" and the car will lower the temp by 1.5 degrees (C) (and of course "I'm cold"..). And of course "Take me home" :-)
I travel 30,000 miles per year. This car is cheaper to buy/run than a Ford Mondeo
What’s msrp means….？
Getting one pretty soon, just can’t decide on the color.
Im pretty sure I want blue for mine.
Blue or Red I’d say. Way too many people with the other colors.
@@pbentsonable agreed 100%, I think those are the 2 best colors on them currently. Silver was cool too but no more silver lol.
Black on black on black looks awesome on the model 3
2:25 badge looks like a bad fit and suggests QC issues.
For this price tag I would expect jewelery precision and flush, not something put together like a toy.
Most of the cost goes into the battery pack, not materials or assemblies
The review car was made in America. All subsequent Model 3's imported to Australia are made in Shanghai and seem to have better fit and finish, although mechanical reliability should be just fine wherever than car is made.
Why no mention of the incredible Soundsystem?
This reviewer missed too many things.
Just test drive today. Fabulous car. But audio system is just ordinary… Either my wife’s bose, and my Harman Kardon will kill it… it needs more bass.
@@ysgood Standard Range does not have the same complement of speakers as the LR and Performance, for example SR+ does not have subwoofer.
All the tests do not have LiDAR, Tesla founder Elon Musk heavy dislikes LiDAR. Instead all Teslas use Pure Vision like you and me.
Not so, until very recently all Tesla’s used radar and Australian delivered Tesla’s still do...
What will make me go electric will be Tesla's willingness to sell me a Model Y. If they did that I would go electric tomorrow!
Almost 100k? My man, living in Australia must be tough for car enthusiast. It's 50k in Europe, and 65k for performance. I hope your wages are at least compensating that.
50K AUD? Or is that 50k EU converting it to $80K AUD?
In Australia base model is 65k after taxes, that's about 42k €, other variants get hit with luxury car taxes so aren't worth it.
100K AUD
Yes it is tough. But we will live with it. Our wages not compensating it, our beautiful view and beautiful people compensating it.
@@caw1337 .. and many European countries will have more significant EV incentives.
Nice car, shame about Tesla's lousy customer service ! Tesla Motors Ireland Ltd. screwed up the paperwork for the model 3 we had bought and paid for in full (€~64k) and are now refusing to honour the contract and demanding an extra €5,000 because they failed to apply for the E.V. grant in a timely manner.
Not only did they fail to provide the service they promised, but their customer service department have completely stonewalled us and refused to engage in any meaningful manner. It is absolutely clear to us that the company has zero regard for individual customers. Nice cars but truly dismal customer service !!
They just dropped them by 5k, so it's closer to 89k driveaway. Still expensive as balls, but does mean the model 3 standard is around 62.
I don't think its that expensive, have you actually looked at the prices for MB C-Class / BMW 3 series etc? That being said, you do get to adjust your volumne with a button in those and actually get a dashboard.
Yeah that's right, I have the model 3 long range and never considered the other options around the same price. I love it, it never gets old :)
Good review. But you left out something crucially important! INSURANCE! Haven’t seen a single review yet that’s mentioned it and is extremely important when considering it’s purchase, for me a deal breaker! Anywhere from $2,500 to a comical $9,000 a year, if you’re lucky enough to even find someone who’ll insure it at all! You can be forgiven for getting lost in the nuts n bolts of the car, but this is important ESPECIALLY if ‘reduced costs’ is one of the main reasons for buying this car. What you gain in fuel and servicing is GONE in this cost! There are VERY few specialist EV repairers around, parts are hard to get and take forever to arrive and the car may need to be toed a LONG way to a repairer for that reason: hence the exorbitant insurance. Sorry, deal breaker for me, Mercedes AMG it is for me.
its radar , lidar. man did you read your press notes mate??? tesla has no lidar. and newer one will have no radar either. just Vision. just lil head up for your next review
I'm your 50,000 Viewer LOL
Excellent Review But I Don’t Like The Car
$50k cheaper would do it.
ET5 to dominate the entire entry-to-mid luxury sedan segment no doubt ! If you look at the quality (no gap between panels and no mismatched colors like Tesla cars), interior design and materials used, build quality, craftmanship, utility, range (topping Model 3's long range 334 miles) even in base model of ET5 already provide 341 miles (550 km) per full charge) not to mention highest trim's 1,000 km per full charge that is a whopping 621 miles!, service quality (where Tesla let you wait for months for available parts), upgradable batteries (where Tesla let you have your depleting batteries), exclusive NIO Houses and Places that let you enjoy exclusivity and enjoy time off from other things (which Tesla does not provide any Tesla clubs - you wish), and many other goodies of being an owner of a NIO. This is just no-brainer. I just don't see why Tesla will continue to dominate now that NIO's ET5 has said its "Hello World !"
tesla will always dominate, u know, the first mover advantage, branding, etc. nio is great but needs time.
That you had to intro the video like that cheapens it and contributes nothing. Just review the car on its merits.
Agreed. it was a poor take too and most people I think don't care at all what other people think of some guy they'll never meet.
It’s like bringing up WWII every time we review a VW Golf.
Bit of a smart arse review. No mention of how tall you are, I don’t see the “ cables” in the rear you mentioned. Quietness is not an issue at all, a bit of a weird comment. Sloppy.
You are so far off on your prices!!!! A simple click on Tesla’s website next time maybe? Gotta give you a thumbs down 👎
Such a bland interior. You wouldn’t be able to get away with it on any other premium car.
Exactly. I’m all for EV’s if they were simply like normal cars interior-wise rather than trying to look like a spaceship. Give me a fully electrified BMW 3 Series, exterior, interior and all. The central speedo reminds me of a Toyota Echo (remember those), can’t believe there’s no head up display at the very least - that was a missed opportunity for a car with no drivers display.
The interior is awesome in reality. So much better than my Audi which now feels like it’s gimmick upon gimmick every time I go and sit in it again. The low dash without a pop up for speedo is much better for road visibility. The big central screen and nothing else gives it a much more relaxed interior than my Audi that just screams for attention.
Some might said the same when the iPhone didn't have any buttons like a Nokia.