No doubt about it Tesla Model 3 The sedan is the current standard when it comes to electric vehicles. I have He wrote about this beforeMost electric car critics agree. And while the Model Y is more popular — especially here in the US — it’s essentially the crossover version of the Model 3 and shares the same platform. Disclaimer: I’ve owned two Model 3s since 2018, but as a tech and automotive journalist, I’ve also driven most other electric cars, so that’s about it.
However, at 6 years old, the Model 3 is no spring chicken. Other than some minor cosmetic tweaks, it’s largely the same car — at least visually — as it was when it launched in 2017. You see, unlike other automakers, Tesla doesn’t follow a “model year” update schedule. The company makes changes to its cars when it deems it appropriate. For example, there were two iterations of the Model 3 in 2021 and 2022, and they look almost identical.
Under the hood, the Model 3 has received numerous improvements since 2017, including a heat pump, upgraded battery pack, Qi wireless charging, matrix headlights, a power box, faster computers, and better cameras — to name a few. It’s also lost some features, something that was quite controversial, such as front radar and ultrasonic parking sensors – and even an adjustment for the front passenger seat’s lumbar support.
For several months, there have been leaks and rumors about a major update to the Model 3 – called Project Highland – culminating in an official reveal by Tesla on September 1st. The result is a car that is improved in almost every way and includes notable optics. Promotions at home and abroad. So, let’s see what’s changed, and what it means for you.
Here’s why you want it
1) Updated exterior design
The new Model 3 features an updated front fascia with a new bumper and new, slimmer, matrix headlights with integrated turn signals and DRLs (daytime running lights). Gone are the separate turn signal/fog lamp clusters at the bumper corners, as well as the much-distorted front bumper bulge – which gives the current Model 3 a bit of a “fish face”. This new front fascia is definitely the most noticeable change in the new design.
At the back, the updated Model 3 gets a new bumper and new, slimmer, one-piece C-shaped taillights. The diffuser is now longer and includes the rear reflectors, as on the Model Y. Since the taillights are no longer split in half by the trunk lid, But it is completely attached to it, so it is not visible when the trunk is open. So the rear reflectors now also include redundant parking/brake/turn lights – along with the backup lights.
Other differences include 18-inch Foton wheels and redesigned 19-inch Nova wheels, which both include aero add-ons to improve efficiency. The front fenders and front doors now feature a more pronounced crease aft of the side repeaters (those little turn signal lights typically found on side mirrors), similar to the Model Y. Instead of boasting Tesla’s familiar “T” logo, the trunk lid features the word Tesla written In the company’s signature line, such as the old Model S and Roadster cars.
Finally, there’s a slightly sharper edge on the edge of the bonnet where it meets the windshield – for improved aerodynamics. Overall, these design changes are welcome, and give the new Model 3 a sleeker, more modern look.
2) Much improvement on the interior
One area where the Model 3 always falls short of competition is the interior – especially when it comes to the quality of materials and fit and finish. Tesla is trying to address this in the updated Model 3 with a new dashboard, steering wheel, center console, and seats. While the new car’s interior maintains the same simple look as before, it gains a touch of excitement thanks to customizable ambient lighting.
The dashboard was further simplified (it was now one piece) and the open-pore wood part was replaced with cloth. Although the steering wheel is brand new — but lacks spokes (we’ll talk about this later) — there’s no stupid yoke here. Unlike the steering wheel (or yoke) in the new S and
As for the center console, it now features larger Qi wireless charging pads, as well as a sliding cover over the cup holders. Plus, each USB Type-C socket now produces up to 65W of power, so you can charge your MacBook without using a separate 12V adapter. But the most significant update to the center console is at the back. Rear passengers now enjoy their own 8-inch touchscreen for climate and entertainment.
The current Model 3 offers manual rear vents only, and the rear seat heater is controlled via the front touchscreen (only). Now rear seat passengers can control the direction of the rear vents, fan speed, and seat heaters through the rear touchscreen, all while watching Netflix or DJ-ing on Spotify. progress. However, it’s worth noting that the middle rear seat is no longer heated in the updated Model 3.
Speaking of which, the front seats are now ventilated, and this feature can be accessed in the Tesla app, just like the rest of the climate settings. Each seat is now made from perforated vegan leather, and the rear seats have more cushioning and are less upright than before, making them even more comfortable. The rear seat center armrest is longer and includes the center headrest, which is no longer adjustable in height.
Some less obvious interior changes include an updated 17-speaker (compared to 14-speaker) audio system that features a subwoofer mounted in the structural brace between the two glass roof panels. And on the subject of glass, the new Model 3 now features acoustic glass everywhere (versus just the front doors and windshield before). This will further reduce wind and tire noise which is a welcome improvement.
Finally, there are now blind spot warning lights behind the A-pillar speaker grilles to complement the existing system. Tesla also says it has upgraded microphones to improve call quality and improve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity with routers and phone switches. The trunk is also slightly larger now because it features the same deep storage compartment behind the rear wheel wells (not just on the left side, as on the current car).
3) Better ride quality
The Model 3’s ride has always been on the firm side, and while most drivers enjoy this (myself included), it’s not always comfortable for passengers — especially in the back seat. Basically, the current suspension tuning can be harsh when driving over certain road imperfections. Tesla appears to have fixed this in the updated Model 3 with new springs, dampers and bushings, and by better isolating the front and rear subframes.
Now, you can still enjoy this sporty ride without making your passengers feel uncomfortable. This – combined with more comfortable rear seats – should make a big difference for people taking Model 3 cabs and rideshares. I fully expect this update to carry over to the Model Y refresh — called Project Juniper — since the suspension tuning on Tesla’s popular crossover is much harsher.
4) More range
With Tesla saying it changed 50% of the parts on the new Model 3, you would expect some updates to the drivetrain, but that’s not the case. The batteries and motors remain the same. However, the updated Model 3 has more range. how is that possible? Well, it turns out that the new exterior design is not only visually sleeker, it’s literally sleeker – allowing air to flow more efficiently around the car.
These aerodynamic improvements – a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.219 (versus 0.225 previously) – result in approximately 11% greater range, at least on paper. Officially, the new Model 3’s range is rated at 344 miles for the standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) model and 421 miles for the long-range AWD (all-wheel drive) version. Now keep in mind that these are European WLTP numbers on 18-inch wheels, not US EPA numbers, and WLTP numbers are always wildly optimistic.
Once the new Model 3 arrives in the US, I expect the EPA range on 18-inch wheels to be around 300 miles for the new rear-drive model, and approx. 370 miles for the updated all-wheel drive version (versus 272 and 333 miles respectively for the current Model 3).
This is why you want to walk away
1) No more steering wheel stalks
When Tesla introduced the updated Model S in 2021, it converted the steering wheel to a yoke, removed the steering wheel spokes (the controls behind the steering wheel that you can reach with your fingers), moved the gear selector to the touchscreen, and installed capacitive buttons on the yoke to activate the indicators and high beams. Windshield spray. Needless to say, this change was quite controversial, and while some people love the yoke, I’m not a fan of it.
Clearly I am not alone. Earlier this year, Tesla replaced the yoke with a steering wheel, made the yoke optional, and sold the new steering wheel as an upgrade to existing Model S owners. However, none of this brought back the stems. Fortunately, the new Model 3 comes with a steering wheel, but unfortunately it lacks stalks. On the plus side, Tesla seems to have improved the haptic feedback on the capacitive buttons, so that’s it.
While this is frustrating, I’m pretty sure it won’t be long before stems become available as third-party accessories, just like buttons and knobs already exist.
2) No 360 degree overhead view
The current Model 3 features a total of eight cameras — three behind the windshield at the front, one at the rear (backup camera), one in each B-pillar, and one on each fender — which are used for driver assistance and safety features. In addition to the autopilot/FSD (full self-driving) function. Despite these numerous cameras, the Model 3 doesn’t offer a 360-degree overhead view, a feature available on many cars today.
why is that? Since there is no front-facing camera on the Model 3, there is a blind spot in front of the vehicle and there is no way to create an accurate, real-time 360-degree overhead view using the existing cameras. When the new Model 3 was announced, the front bumper camera was visible inside the black grille in official Tesla renders, but in later renders and actual cars, this additional camera disappeared.
At first glance, this doesn’t seem like a big deal. But it’s a problem. You see, last year Tesla decided to save about $115 per car by removing the ultrasonic parking sensors (USS) from the Model 3 and Model Y. The idea was to replace the USS with Tesla Vision – the company’s artificial intelligence and computer vision technology. However, in practice, Tesla Vision is not as accurate as the USS, especially at night or in bad weather.
By adding a front bumper camera to the updated Model 3, it was believed Tesla would eliminate the blind spot in front of the car, improve the accuracy of Tesla Vision’s parking distance estimates, and provide a 360-degree overhead view – making the parking experience much better.
Some other things to keep in mind
The new Model 3 is not available in the US, Canada, or the UK (yet). Because it’s made at Tesla’s Shanghai factory, it’s initially coming to left-hand drive markets that currently import the Model 3 from China — like Europe. It should land in North America and other markets next year, once the Fremont, California, plant ramps up manufacturing. As for pricing in Europe, the updated Model 3 costs around €1,000 more than the current car.
Strangely, Tesla did not mention anything about the performance variant of the new Model 3. I believe that this version will be revealed when the new car is launched in the United States. Overall, the updated Model 3 offers significant improvements. It takes an already excellent electric car and makes it even better. As such, it should help Tesla maintain its lead and keep the competition at its feet. I can’t wait to take it for a spin.
