2024-01-14 05:00:00
The standard heated seats are also ventilated (for the two fronts) and made from slightly more high-end materials than in the previous version. You sit well there and it is no problem to stay in it for a long time, back pain is not one of the options.
Tesla continues to think regarding passenger comfort and equips its Model 3 with two non-induction charging slots for phones, located below the screen.
A computer to control EVERYTHING
The windshield wipers and speed display (usually available with the controls and dashboard) are moved to the car’s control center: the screen. All controls, whether for the music, the air conditioning, the heated seats, the gear lever, but also the opening of the glove box, go through this screen.
Sometimes it’s even too much. When we ride, we cannot – in theory – afford to be distracted. Reason why phones while driving are prohibited. Here, you have to look at this screen almost constantly: to know our speed (indicated in small letters at the top left), to adjust the temperature, to start the windshield wipers, etc.
We can assume that when cars are autonomous (far from being allowed in Belgium), all this minimalist thinking will be justified, but Tesla may have thought too fast and too far on this one.
Also read Controversial Autopilot: Tesla forced to recall two million vehicles
Last part, and not the least: parking aids. The disappearance of ultrasonic sensors has made the car significantly less confident when maneuvering. The distances displayed are very approximate and vary by several tens of centimeters, sometimes even when the car is stationary. Fortunately there are cameras to catch up.
A good roller
The handling and power of the car (287 hp/170 kWh for the standard version) offer a real moment of pleasure on the roads. For the Long Autonomy version, it is equipped with a 79 kWh NMC type battery (75 kWh net), combined with a 276 horsepower rear synchronous motor and a 165 horsepower induction motor at the front, totaling 441 horsepower .
However, visibility in the central rearview mirror is quite poor. The rear of the vehicle takes up half of what we see in the mirror. As a result of the races, we only see the roofs of the cars behind us.
The playful side of the car, already present on previous models, is still present. It is possible to play certain games when the car is stopped, when it is charging for example, or to launch karaoke mode for passengers who feel like singing.
In the rear, passengers can entertain themselves with the 8-inch screen installed between the two front seats. A secondary screen which can, if necessary, be locked from the main screen.
On the practical side, the rear trunk offers a total capacity of 600l to which is added an additional 88l thanks to the front trunk.
Autonomy and recharging
In terms of consumption, the Propulsion model (there is another Long Range model) that we had runs at a theoretical consumption of 14kwh/100km. It seems that in reality, it is more around 15.
On the charging side, the American brand announces the recovery (with one of its superchargers) of 282 km in 15 minutes. French colleagues have experimented that it takes 33 minutes to go from 10% to 80%. The old version from 2019/2020 only took 25 minutes for the same charge. A difference that goes once morest the new model, but the less than 10 minutes lost is not a huge gap either.
Thinking in an ever more refined way, Tesla even thought of camouflaging the hatch for connecting the charger. This is hidden behind one of the rear headlights which opens with pressure.
Connectivity
Not new, but always good to remember that your Tesla can be controlled remotely using your smartphone. There is no way to control it remotely like James Bond yet, but you can unlock it, control the charging, and even start the air conditioning to preheat the cabin in winter, for example.
The best value for money ?
The Model 3, which aims to be the most accessible in the range, sees its entry price at 45,970 euros. A certain budget, but which remains very attractive compared to what competing brands can offer for vehicles of the same caliber.
In fact, it is especially on the quality/price ratio that Tesla impresses its competitors. Finding a car that is as comfortable and enjoyable to drive for the same price is not easy.
What to think of it, ultimately?
Tesla offers us a car with much more refinement compared to the previous one. Driving is very pleasant, with driving aids and a good sound system. Coupled with the best soundproofing, it’s a good road car. Too bad regarding the indicators… they’re unusable on roundregardings. We would have preferred some physical controls using switches as well as a heads-up display.
Beyond that, Tesla is the only manufacturer to have a real ecosystem where everything works coherently: a robust phone app that works like a key, a charging network well integrated into the navigation system. Tesla offers a very polished experience. And for the price it is very competitive compared to its slower and more greedy rivals. Now it remains to be seen whether Chinese models like the MG4 can compete.
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