Despite sparking public interest with the large Model S and even larger Model X, Tesla’s intent to democratise electric motoring charged up a notch with this executive car-sized Model 3, launched in 2019. It’s been a runaway worldwide sales success, offering all the high-tech, drama, range and modernism of the larger cars in a smaller and more affordable package.
Three flavours of Model 3 are available: Standard Range Plus, Long Range and the flagship Performance version. On the road, it’s very good, with even the entry-level, rear-wheel-drive Standard Range Plus managing 0-60mph in 6.1sec. However, the Long Range and Performance models have four-wheel drive and not one but two electric motors.
At low speeds, the two lower-spec models jostle you around quite a bit. Oddly, the Performance version on its sports suspension and massive 20in wheels is the most comfortable Model 3 on motorways.
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It certainly handles well in Performance guise. The Long Range version is tidy, too, just with a bit more body lean and a little less grip. However, the Standard Range Plus feels altogether less balanced and less confidence-inspiring.
Being a pure-electric car, the Model 3 is, unsurprisingly, whisper quiet at town speeds. However, there’s quite a lot of tyre noise on faster roads, when you can also hear the wind around its frameless doors, despite double-glazed side windows.
You get essentially the same touchscreen infotainment system that features in Tesla’s larger models, although the Model 3’s screen is slightly smaller (15.0in) and a landscape rather than portrait format. The layout of the screen is intuitive, and while some of the smaller icons can be distracting to hit accurately while you’re driving, at least the system is quick and responsive once you’ve made your selection.
Front-seat occupants are unlikely to complain about space. There’s similar leg and head room in the back of the Model 3 to the BMW 3 Series – comfortably enough for a six-footer to sit behind a driver of a similar height. The boot isn’t huge, but there’s actually more space for luggage than in conventional executive rivals, thanks to a massive well under the main boot floor and the extra storage under the bonnet.
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You can say what you want about Teslas but the secondhand prices indicate better than Porsche like deprication and a figure BMW can only dream about. Go on the website and not one secondhand car below 40k despite new base ones costing 2k more.
Nearly £38K is still a lot for a nearly new, a nearly new with an iffy reputation.
Depreiciation porsche would be proud of, I've looked at seconhand model 3s on the tesla website, 2 things they sell quickly and start from 37k. Brand new they only have a list price of 40k.