Initial Reviews of Tesla Model 3 Are In. Here's What You Need to Know.

author: Manish Kharinta   

The more affordable offering from the electric car manufacturer- Tesla, has garnered a lot of attention since its unveiling. Recently the initial customer reviews of the electric car started coming in. The company has received thousands of preorders for Model 3 which is Tesla's first-ever mass-market vehicle. Some customers have provided their feedback on the new car and the revelations have been intriguing.

Size

The compact dimensions of Tesla Model 3 have received a lot of praise. Customers have complimented the car on being more maneuverable. As compared to the larger Model S, Model 3 has been deemed to be nimbler. Model 3 also comes with a smaller turning radius than as compared to its more premium counterpart which means it is a lot easier to drive in a busy city environment.

Performance and Handling

Model 3 is powered by a single electric motor which drives the rear wheels. The placement of the battery pack is such that it bestows the car with a very low center of gravity. These specifications in addition to the compact size of the car give Model S impressive handling characteristics. Tesla has confirmed a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version will also enter production later this year. 

Model 3 is available in two variants. Customers have the option of selecting from either a 258 bhp or a more powerful 271 bhp model. The less powerful variant accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds whereas the 271 bhp model does the deed in 5.1 seconds. In terms of the total driving range, the standard model is offered with a range of 220 miles. A "long range" version is also available and the company claims this variant can cover 310 miles between charges. 

Even though Model 3 cannot keep up with the ‘Ludicrous Mode' offered in the more premium Model S which can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds flat, customers have claimed that the smaller EV feels just as quick. This can again be attributed to the car's compact design.

Features

At the center of the dashboard, we find a 15.4-inch touchscreen which controls almost everything in the car. The design breaks away from the integrated panel style we find in Model X and Model S. Instead we find a more floating type display which hovers over the dashboard and sits atop the tunnel. The company has announced that a ‘full self-driving' option will be offered on the Model 3, later in the car's lifecycle. Other features include keyless NFC keycard, Bluetooth smartphone connectivity and Enhanced Autopilot's partial autonomous driving capabilities. 

Initial reviews have also revealed that because of the car's small size the touchscreen panel feels obtrusive and doesn't offer good ergonomics. The overall build quality of Model 3 was also subject to criticism. This, however, can be credited to the fact that Model 3 is a more economical offering from Tesla and the first batch of cars might come with such flaws which will be rectified over the car's course of production. Report have also revealed that the User interface has a lot of bugs and we think this is something Tesla will rectify with a software update.

Manish Kharinta

Manish Kharinta is a automotive writer based in the Los Angeles area. He has worked for automotive industry websites TheSmokingClutch.com, CarDekho.com and CarBikeindia.com. His experience ranges from covering auto shows, to car reviews and breaking automotive news. Manish aims to bring forth his unique perspective on automotive design and technological innovations in the automotive industry.