You will see from the picture at the beginning of my EV blog that I haven't tested a Tesla for a while.
This is not due to any Tesla aversion but just their loan cars haven't been forthcoming.
That all changed when this ultra-red coloured New Tesla Model 3 turned up on my doorstep.
This is the 2024 version which is different inside and out. It still looks just like a Model 3 but has a slightly sleeker exterior, sharper front - so slightly less spaceship looking. There are also subtle changes on the inside and the full glass panoramic roof makes it feel light and open.
Up Up and Away
I'm glad I asked the delivery guy a few questions because if I was just left with the key, I wouldn't be able to drive it. Firstly, because there is no key and secondly, I would not know how to put it into drive or reverse.
From the outside the car looked good, but it is one of those cars that I think looks bigger on the outside than the inside i.e., not a Tardis. That said there is decent room for a couple of adults in the back although those over 6ft may touch the ceiling.
My first task was how to unlock and then open the doors. I was handed a key card in a plastic holder - bit like the lanyards you get at conferences. You then must touch the pillar between the front and rear windows. At first, I struggled as I was pointing it at what I thought was the contact point but alas it was a camera. Pointing it correctly did the trick and you know it works when the wing mirrors open.
Clean, compact, and ultra minimalist - a bit like an Islington flat I had in the 90s.
Like most EVs today it has hidden door handles, but you can push and pull with one hand. Wow I'm in.
I did wonder whether someone turning up to rent one of these with no instructions would ever get in and get the thing started.
Inside
Once inside I did notice that the build quality was much better than previous Tesla’s I had tested. It was clean, compact, and ultra minimalist - a bit like an Islington flat I had in the 90s.
The seats are comfortable and easy to adjust. There are various useful compartments to put your house keys, wallet etc.
Now I’ve tried not to be a luddite, but I did find the total lack of any dashboard dials very daunting. In front of the steering wheel there is a void. There are no dials. Getting into the car late at night and pulling away it felt like I had no lights on as nothing illuminates the dash in front of you because there isn’t one.
Basically, the flat screen computer to the left of the driver not only controls everything but it is also the font of all knowledge and all information such as speed, heat, radio station. I found myself driving with my head crocked slightly to the left to keep an eye on my speed at the top right of the screen.
If this car had a head-up display showing speed, time and basic sat nav directions I would be happy. It doesn’t.
Yes, you get more used to it but I still prefer to look straight ahead when I drive and not to the side.
Start me up
The other intelligence test is how to start the car. The is a spot below the flat screen to place your key card and another to place and charge your phone.
With your foot on the brake, it is ready to go. To drive forwards you use your finger to push the car icon on the right-hand side of the screen up and to reverse you push it down. To park you press the P icon. Seemed strange at first but you soon get used to it.
All other adjustments like mirrors, head, air, music are done via the screen.
Once you computer is set you are off. My first instinct on local roads was that this car is nippy and light – in a good way even if it reminded me of driving as decent go-kart at Le Mans. It is quick, responsive and puts a smile on your face. It just seems easy to drive.
It probably helped that I had it set to almost one-pedal driving. One-Pedal Driving is a driving technique that has become particularly established in Tesla vehicles. This method allows you to accelerate and brake the car by only using the accelerator pedal. For strong and emergency braking, the brake pedal is still used. One Pedal Driving around time just seemed to make the journey more relaxed. Just push and go. Lift and stop.
Drive
I did notice the car seemed quiet and this is due to the updates that make it more quiet and refined inside as well as more comfortable over bumps. I still avoided the potholes.
I liked city driving in the Model 3. Easy, quiet, and responsive.
On the motorway you do feel the elements a bit more. There is more noise and in strong gusts of wind more movement, but it does the job. The seating position is quite low down which you feel more on the motorway with the juggernauts and the relatively short space between the steering wheel and font of the car.
Some say the drive is quite hard, but it felt fine to me.
One advantage of being stuck for an hour in stationery traffic on the M3 and then M25 on the same trip, was that I got to explore the screen. The one setting I never really achieved to my satisfaction was the pace of the windscreen wipers. It has six settings but when I put it on automatic it was just two fast in the stationery traffic with only a few drops of rain. I had to keep turning it off and just using the one swipe button on the steering wheel. I know the Tesla wiper technology has improved using all-round cameras but it didn’t quite work for me.
Verdict
Range: This is an ultra-modern car teaming with technological kit - even if hidden away. I didn’t really get to fully test the range but believe the all-wheel drive Long Range model has an estimated range of 421 miles with the 18-inch wheels, though that drops by 30 miles if you have the 19-inch wheels. Even the standard rear-wheel drive version can go comfortably over 300 miles which is fantastic and adequate for most journeys. Plus, you have the luxury of the Tesla charging network.
Price: As new EVs go, this is real value for money. The Model 3 has a RRP range of £39,990 to £49,990 and you get a four-year/50,000-mile warranty as standard.
Drive: This car is quick if you need it to be, but it also can be smooth and relaxing.
Would I buy one? If I wanted a nippy, comfortable, cost-effective fun car for city and shorter trips then this would be up there. If I was looking for a tourer for those longer journeys, I would want something bigger with a head-up display or at least basic dials in my direct field of vision.
So good but could be better.