• Mannequin 3 Highland affords a refined journey, extra hushed inside, higher match/end
• Base LFP model maintains nimble, athletic driving impressions
• Noticed greater than 4 mi/kwh in real-world driving, 23-min. charging 15-80%

Different automakers might have cause to breathe a sigh of aid that CEO Elon Musk has continued to stifle Tesla gross sales development, as some analysts see it. 

That’s as a result of the Mannequin 3 Highland is a superb automobile, a house run of a product that has all of the effectivity and charging ease of its predecessor however is less complicated to reside with. 

And but, in a parallel between the automobile and Tesla’s high government, it’s solely the appropriate match for those who can look previous a couple of exasperating interface particulars which will really be deal-breakers. 

I loved driving this base Mannequin 3 immensely. It’s not one of many noisier EVs from inside. It rides and drives with extra verve than the unique, broadening the enchantment of this formative EV, and it exemplifies the intelligent tuning and engineering the corporate has all the time executed nicely. 

Earlier this 12 months, the model informally known as Highland arrived and it could possibly be misunderstood as a light-weight mid-cycle refresh. However as I can now verify after a 24-hour velocity date with one—ehem, Turo mortgage—it’s far more than that. 

Full disclosure: I skilled the Mannequin 3 in Southern California, the place roads are typically in wonderful form, the climate is delicate, and it will probably really feel like Superchargers are almost as ubiquitous as gasoline stations. 

The bottom Tesla Mannequin 3, dressed up a bit

To step again first, the Highland Mannequin 3 has the identical profile we’ve change into accustomed to since Tesla began Mannequin 3 deliveries again in 2017—together with the identical doorways and facet/rear surfacing—however from the entrance or rear it seems to be like fairly a special car. I wasn’t certain how I felt concerning the rear styling in comparison with the unique Mannequin 3 and its cleaned-up lighting moved into the decklid, even by the tip of my velocity date with it. However I famous that the entrance finish and its extra decisive crease working throughout helps the entire roofline look sportier and extra coupelike from nearly any entrance angle. 

The Tesla Mannequin 3 I drove was the bottom Rear-Wheel Drive mannequin, optioned with the showy, lustrous Extremely Pink paint ($2,000) and the 19-inch Nova wheels ($1,000) fitted with Continental ProContact rubber, which drop EPA vary for this mannequin to 248 miles, from this mannequin’s peak 272 miles with the 18-inch aero wheels. That introduced the worth as much as $43,630, together with the necessary $1,390 vacation spot and $250 order charges. 

This “base” Mannequin 3 comes with a implausible checklist of ordinary options, by conventional car-buying sensibilities: a glass roof, an influence trunklid, heated and cooled entrance seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, navigation, and a separate rear display of the type that has up till just lately been solely the area of high-end luxurious automobiles.

Most likely probably the most noteworthy tech function “below the hood” on this base Mannequin 3 is that it has a battery pack with 60.9 kwh gross, in response to the Division of Power—with 57.5 kwh of reported capability—stocked with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells in a prismatic format. Based on studies, Tesla could also be within the strategy of transferring a few of this provide chain to the U.S., with supervision from China’s CATL, however for now they’re equipped from China. 

Due to its battery pack, this mannequin isn’t eligible for the $7,500 EV tax credit score that different Mannequin 3s qualify for with their extra made-in-America pedigree. At current, the Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary RWD really prices $4,000 much less if you should buy and declare the credit score, though the bottom Mannequin 3 stays a greater deal for leasing. The LFP model does have another benefits, too—like how Tesla actively reminds you to cost it as much as 100% no less than as soon as every week.

However from a price standpoint, tax credit score apart, it bears maintaining in thoughts that an in any other case identically outfitted Mannequin 3 in a much less sedate coloration, with the bottom 18-inchers, would value simply $40,630.

Highland is extra soothing on the seams

Giving it a once-over on the skin, every little thing match collectively nicely and trim and body-panel seams have been tight. I’ve seen sufficient Mannequin 3s up near know that pre-Highland, many had seams that stood out as uneven or wider than the remainder—even the case with the final Mannequin 3 I spent driver’s seat time in, a Tesla press mortgage in 2019. 

Talking of seats, these within the Mannequin 3 are actually heated and cooled in entrance, and you may activate the seat air flow forward of time by way of the app. However simply when it comes to physics and help, they nonetheless might use some assist. They’re a bit bit higher than the seats within the first-generation Mannequin 3, however they really feel too flat and thinly padded. Actually all they want are some higher help round butts and backs, to carry you in place in corners. With the seating level good and low, it’s all that’s getting in the way in which of feeling the Mannequin 3 is a sporty sedan you sit in, not on, however the lack of hip-hugging seats results in the latter impression. 

Whereas the seats haven’t improved so much, journey high quality is night-and-day completely different. The outgoing model had a journey that we described as stiff and busy, and even once you have been on near-perfect highway surfaces there was nonetheless highway noise. At first by noise and luxury alone it was like stepping right into a luxury-badged cousin of the Mannequin 3—even on the coarsely surfaced facet streets of Santa Monica the place I began. 

The perfect-driving reasonably priced EV?

Heading out to some favourite canyon roads, I quickly discovered that the Mannequin 3 doesn’t pull any punches in LFP kind. Value no object, the Mannequin 3—sure, even on this base-model model—would make my shortlist of EVs wherein to move out and revel in driving on a curvy highway. 

This comparatively low-powered Mannequin 3, with a single permanent-magnet motor powering the rear wheels, making 257 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, felt faster than its official 0-60 mph instances round city and on these most partaking ribbons of twisty tarmac I included in my tour. Though getting from the appropriate lane over to the left on a free-flowing part of US 101 revealed that like different single-motor EVs its decrease output turns into identified on the higher finish of authorized speeds.

What’s extra, it’s nimble and balanced. At a curb weight of lower than 4,000 kilos and tuning that stored it feeling mild, it felt proper at residence working a highway which may have been a tuning benchmark for a lot of sports activities automobiles—or for the Mannequin 3 Efficiency. I discovered its steering to be very properly weighted in each the Customary and Heavy modes (there’s Gentle too), and the Heavy one didn’t really feel synthetic in the way in which it centered as these modes usually can. 

The bottom Mannequin 3 isn’t tuned like a efficiency automobile, but it surely feels so much like base BMW 3-Collection fashions have been tuned for a number of generations. Push it a bit tougher and it doesn’t keep razor sharp, but it surely leans predictably and wiggles in a means you may work with. 

Tesla typically will get regen proper, and the newest spherical of autos don’t depart you any choices. Raise off the accelerator and the Mannequin 3 scrubs off velocity rapidly, storing power again within the battery pack, whereas the brake pedal is reserved for the friction brakes. This was the primary Tesla I drove with out a mild/low regen mode—no optionally available creep when lifting off the brake both.

From steering to the accelerator and braking, and physique motions, all of it quantities to a precision within the driving expertise and the inputs that many EVs merely don’t have. It feels prefer it represents the coordinated effort of an engineering crew really in sync on the priorities. 

Certainly, a brand new entrance suspension geometry contributes to the finesse and athleticism. Gone is the loud bounding impact we seen from the entrance on a curvy highway within the unique Mannequin 3; as an alternative this model soaks up sudden bumps or adjustments within the crown of the highway in a means that doesn’t perturb issues. Tesla has additionally within the Highland modified the rear subframe that’s all the time been one of many keys to the Mannequin 3’s refinement, whereas updating bushings all through and including frequency-selective dampers. 

Tech apart, Mannequin 3 stays austere

My enjoyment of that athleticism, plus the close to good journey high quality and well-hushed cabin yielded to actuality finally, when I discovered myself trudging alongside in visitors, squirming in my seat, and searching round on the textures and surfaces. They’re higher for certain, and Tesla made a sensible option to go together with textiles as an alternative of the previous woodgrain; I’m much less sure concerning the multi-color ambient lighting, which is now in seemingly each new reasonably priced automobile. 

Up shut, to the contact, the supplies are higher and the match and end is undeniably improved. That stated, that is barely on par with different $40,000 automobiles and nothing extra—and I might give you loads of $40,000 autos that provide extra alluring seats and trims and surfaces. 

The Mannequin 3’s centerpoint, its touchscreen, has primarily carried over, and it’s nonetheless a greater interface than what you’ll discover in lots of different EVs—for those who’re OK utilizing a nook of the only display for gauges and making it your go-to for primarily every little thing. The left portion of the display is a continuing tally of velocity, security methods, and a rendering of passing autos (with audio controls beneath). However it’s all the time simple to seek out what you want rapidly by way of the flat menu system. And a digital tray with local weather controls, navigation, and extra is all the time locked to the underside of the display. 

There’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and you need to be alright with that. However native navigation is superb. Tesla consists of commonplace knowledge for navigation and updates for eight years, whereas premium knowledge for audio and video streaming, sentry options (reside digital camera), and extra prices $99 a 12 months or $9.99 a month. 

Simply as with the earlier Mannequin 3, there’s no mirror or steering-wheel adjustment switchgear. You continue to modify them with a considerably clumsy mixture of the display and steering-wheel toggles. And in what appears like an pointless celebration trick, you may nonetheless pull the vents round nearly to bodily purpose them and supply airflow within the path you need. Now, maybe as a part of Tesla’s push for Full Self-Driving, the Mannequin S/X steering yoke, and seeing all these controls as pointless, the Highland consolidates the interface much more, purging the turn-signal stalk and shift lever fully. 

Love for the automobile, heartburn over the interface

It’s that turn-signal operate that’s the toughest to heat as much as. Two steering-wheel buttons serve the aim, with proper on high and left beneath, and though you may mentally assume it by way of with an imaginary turn-signal stalk as transferring in those self same instructions, after a day utilizing it, I used to be nonetheless complicated the 2 when flustered—for fast freeway lane adjustments, for example. Additional, there’s no means from what I can inform of merely flashing the sign 3 times; you have to press to show it on, then once more to show it off. I didn’t do any important evening driving, however I can see the identical adoption curve for the high-beams—one other steering-wheel button. 

The 2024 Mannequin 3 additionally loses the shift stalk, and as I discovered over a day that is a lot simpler to heat as much as. A visually textured space within the higher left nook of the display acts as a shift pad. As soon as urgent on the brake, drag it up for Drive, drag it down for Reverse, or faucet it for Park. There are backup touch-buttons up by the rearview mirror however I by no means wanted to make use of them and located the screen-based shifting simply wonderful after parking a couple of instances. There’s a predictive shifting function you may activate, which is able to use the camera-and-sensor system, plus current habits, to resolve whether or not you need to shift to Drive or Reverse. I merely wasn’t within the Mannequin 3 lengthy sufficient to check this function. 

A number of the interface is markedly higher although. Tesla has redone the Mannequin 3’s entry tech, and its effectiveness in recognizing my telephone as a key was flawless. Whereas in another autos I’ve confronted an uneasiness over whether or not the automobile locks as I stroll away, I noticed the automobile energy down at a distance after which, as I reapproached with the telephone in my pocket the automobile would merely open no matter I went to open up, with out additional presses or unlocks, whether or not that was a passenger-side rear door or the trunk. 

Again-seat passengers now additionally get their very own touchscreen, and it’s no disappointment. It’s simply as fast and almost as full-featured because the one in entrance, with local weather controls (aimable touchscreen vents there too), audio controls, gaming and viewing choices, and extra. Heated seats are commonplace for the outboard positions, and that’s how riders management them. 

You’ll have individuals using again there, too, because it’s a decently roomy house for 2 within the again seat, with headroom actually the limiting issue. Space for storing is rather well thought out, too, with large door bins, a number of deep coated bins on the middle console, and a soft-touch high to the console that’s good for the elbows of varied drivers and passengers. There’s a lot of trunk and frunk house (21.0 and three.1 cubic ft, respectively), and this is without doubt one of the few frunks that’s deep sufficient to be helpful. Put the grocery bag with the eggs up there, or stash a few daypacks; there’s a number of house, however issues shall be cosy sufficient to not go tumbling about. 

Tesla has redone the sound system, however the nine-speaker audio system within the Highland didn’t impress. Whereas completely wonderful for podcasts and most streaming music, it lacked the wealthy low-mid-range frequencies I’d loved in earlier Lengthy Vary Mannequin 3 and Mannequin Y experiences. Different Mannequin 3 variations nonetheless do get a grander sound system. 

All Mannequin 3 variations include the identical suite of Autopilot cameras and sensors, however the Mannequin 3 I examined didn’t have the Full Self-Driving bundle activated (at the moment $8,000, or by subscription). Thus, I obtained to see what you get on the base stage, and on this kind it isn’t dangerous, but it surely isn’t among the finest both. It follows a clearly outlined lane and customarily steers easily, but it surely simply obtained confused on lanes of LA’s US 101 that had weak striping plus pavement of two supplies. 

Tesla Mannequin 3 Highland effectivity and charging: Residence run

The Highland provides as much as a really interesting EV. And it stood as much as all of the effectivity and charging expectations in my real-world drive. 

Based on the journey laptop I averaged greater than 4.1 miles per kwh over 158 miles that weren’t significantly efficiency-minded. They included boulevards, some coast cruising, demanding canyon roads, and a mixture of free-flowing freeways and the visitors slog on I-405. Most of that point the temp was set to 74 levels F, however I lowered it for a time when an excessive amount of noon solar was coming immediately in by way of the facet roof (doubtlessly a difficulty). 

Tesla’s route planning is the benchmark, and it’s nonetheless simple to see why. The Mannequin 3’s navigation system routed me rapidly towards a Supercharger station after choosing from a couple of potentialities, exhibiting me what number of chargers have been accessible in addition to what number of different Teslas have been heading there for a cost. The Santa Monica Supercharger station was well-maintained, with loos on premises and an overhead photo voltaic array offering shade. 

Tesla lists a 170-kw most cost energy for the LFP mannequin, and I noticed 168 kw briefly once I first began a cost from 15%. From there it took simply 23 minutes to cost as much as 80% (the restrict on the busy Santa Monica station the place I charged). At 80%, it indicated a spread of 189 miles—determining to just about 240 miles in the actual world at a full cost, with these showier wheels.

Effectivity and charging are the identified portions for Tesla, and that’s why I led with every little thing else. The few hair-pulling interface selections and undue drama from the highest apart, Tesla’s made a really quiet, well-mannered, very pleasant-driving EV—one which I’d exit of my solution to drive quite than be pushed in, and one which earns its maintain in methods past effectivity, Supercharging, and Autopilot. 

Why once more is Tesla making automobiles which are a lot enjoyable to drive if it needs us to relinquish the steering wheel and ship the automobile off to be a robotaxi? Not likely a part of the now-wiped-away Grasp Plan, is it?