As of: February 1, 2024, 6:00 a.m
By: Simon Mones
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Tesla's Model 3 shines in new splendor.
The electric car has convinced us in everyday life.
But there is also reason for criticism.
Anyone who is concerned with electromobility cannot ignore Tesla.
The US company is one of the pioneers in the sector.
The Model Y is now the best-selling car in the world.
A title that its little brother Model 3 held for a long time among electric cars.
After seven years of production, it was time to give the slightly outdated Stromer a facelift.
But how does the new Model 3 Long Range perform in everyday life?
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Tesla revises Model 3: Chassis is convincing – up to a certain point
The honest answer: better than we thought.
Probably also because Tesla has made a lot of improvements in terms of comfort.
The soundproofing has improved significantly.
You glide almost silently over the streets in the electric car.
The revised chassis absorbs small bumps confidently and even hard impacts are hardly noticeable in the interior.
The Model 3 reaches 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. © Tesla
However, if you want to drive a little faster, you will notice that the chassis is not necessarily designed for this.
The Tesla Model 3 runs confidently on the slopes up to around 140 km/h.
After that, however, things become more restless and you voluntarily brake.
But the journey there is even more fun.
The two electric motors produce 498 hp (366 kW) and accelerate the sedan from zero to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds.
At 201 km/h it's officially over.
According to the speedometer, 203 km/h was possible in the test.
Tesla Model 3 charges with up to 250 kW on the Supercharger
The Model 3 is also impressively fast at the charging station.
The 79 kWh battery of the Long Range can be charged at the superchargers with up to 250 kW.
Even at temperatures of around 0 °C, the battery is charged from 20 to 80 percent in around 40 minutes.
Just enough time to do the weekend shopping.
However, the Model 3's battery runs out quickly.
Tesla promises a range of up to 629 kilometers according to WLTP.
That's 52 kilometers more than its predecessor.
However, in our test we couldn't get more than 400 kilometers out of the battery.
However, the range is likely to be higher in summer; as is well known, electric cars consume up to 30 percent more in winter.
However, the factory specification may be difficult to achieve even under perfect conditions.
The lowest consumption we had in the test was 15.3 kWh per 100 kilometers.
Tesla promises 14 kWh/100 kilometers here.
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New interior for Tesla Model 3: No more levers
In addition to a visual overhaul with new headlights and a better drag coefficient, the Texans have primarily refreshed the interior.
You feel a bit like you're in a spaceship with very comfortable seats - which can be both heated and cooled.
However, space in the rear becomes limited if you are slightly taller than 1.80 meters.
There is now also a display in the middle on which Netflix can be streamed.
The interior is – typical of Tesla – very tidy.
You won't find any levers or switches.
© Tesla
You won't find switches and levers in the Model 3, nor will you find a display behind the steering wheel.
Most functions are controlled via the central display in the center console.
The gear is also selected there by swiping forward or backward.
If this doesn't work, a control panel with the letters "P", "R", "N", "D" is activated in the roof lining.
The hazard warning lights are also located there, which is very unusual and inconvenient.
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The autopilot, windshield wipers and indicators can be controlled via the steering wheel.
The latter is very strange at first, but you quickly get used to it.
But it can be annoying in roundabouts because if you're in doubt you have to look for the right button.
However, when changing lanes on the highway, it's almost pleasant.
Test drive with Tesla Model 3: deductions for autopilot and sign recognition
What is annoying is that the autopilot simply switches off in this situation and the vehicle suddenly slows down.
Others can do that better.
At red lights, the driving assistant maintains a reasonable distance of respect from the vehicle in front, regardless of the setting.
The trunk lid of the Tesla Model 3 is a bit small.
© Tesla
There are also deductions for sign recognition.
The Model 3 has a particularly difficult time with time-limited speed limits.
These are taken over and the driver is given the somewhat annoying warning tone.
The system recognizes additives such as moisture.
In some cases, the autopilot then adjusts the speed automatically, as should be the case with the soon-to-be mandatory ISA speed assistant.
However, not always.
We would also have liked at least a head-up display.
The view regularly wandered to the central display, which was at some point punished by the system with a request to look at the road.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range costs just under 52,000 euros
Compared to its predecessor, the Model 3 has taken a big leap forward.
However, there are still weaknesses compared to the competition, such as the opening in the trunk being too small.
With a price of 51,990 euros, the Model 3 is in the upper class.
The basic model costs just 42,990 euros.
But prices are likely to fall even further.
And with the Model 2 or Model Q, an even cheaper entry-level model is imminent.