The Tesla Model 3 Is Here: What's the Verdict?
Now that the Model 3 is in people's hands, let's see what they all think
Despite everything pointing to a delay, Elon Musk has actually made good on his promise of the production start date for the Tesla Model 3, and after a glitzy affair on Friday evening, the first Model 3's are now in customers' hands.
The question now on everyone's minds is: "Can the Model 3 live up to all the hype? Can we finally get a long range, affordable EV that doesn't skimp on the luxury?"
The answer is both yes and no. Let's just say the term "affordable" is relative.
First, let's talk about the price. Yes, the Model 3 STARTS at $35,000, but according to Jalopnik, you're pretty much only getting that price with bare bones, black color Model 3. Anything else you want will jack up that price really quickly.
In fact, the super bare bones base option won't even be available until later down the road, so now you have a situation where 500,000+ people who were expecting a $35,000 car are now going to realize they're not driving home in one without spending at least $45K or more.
Do you want a color other than black? It's going to cost you. Larger tires? Autopilot? Glass roof? It's all going to cost you. Many of the reviews below mention the $35,000 price; I'm going to assume they had media review units prior to the actual release Friday night and didn't know of the "extras."
With the pricing out of the way, how are people actually enjoying their Model 3s? Let's start with the media's impressions:
Motor Trend
"Have I ever driven a more startling small sedan? I haven’t. At speed, it gains a laser-alertness I haven’t encountered before. By happenstance, associate road test editor Erick Ayapana had penciled me into a 2.0-liter Alfa Romeo Giulia to get here, and it feels like a wet sponge by comparison. Technological fascination? Besides what I’ve already described, the Tesla Model 3 is available with Enhanced Autopilot ($5,000) and for another $3,000 what’s called “Full Self-Driving Capability” in the future. A lot of money, sure—but how many $35,000 cars offer that?"
Top Gear
"The Model 3 is a significant milestone in the Tesla story and could leave others trailing in its wake if they can deliver against the insatiable early demand for it; a challenge that cannot be underestimated, but one that given previous history you wouldn’t bet against them delivering."
Austin Evans
Model 3 Owners Club
Bjorn Nyland
Bloomberg
"The fact that this car still looks, drives, and feels like a Tesla—at a starting price of $35,000—shows how far the Silicon Valley automaker has come. It's still an expensive vehicle for many of Tesla's biggest fans, and compelling options packages will drag a lot of stretch spenders into uncomfortable territory. But at current battery prices, Tesla is setting a new standard for value in an electric car—which of course was Musk's plan all along."
Engadget
"Overall though, this is a pretty sweet whip for $35,000. For that price, you could get a BMW 2 series or a Mercedes CLA, but why deal with the hassle of gas? The Model 3 may sacrifice a bit of the overwhelming performance of the S (looking at you P100D Ludicrous Mode) but it offers a far more responsible and reasonable driving experience in its place."
So far, it looks like rave reviews for the Model 3 all around. There's are niggles here and there (which is to be expected of any brand new car) and the pricing came as somewhat of a shock, but it seems that the Model 3 is off to a pretty decent start.
Is anyone here getting a Model 3, or has already taken delivery of one? Let us know in the comments!
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Comments (3)
Here where? Unless you are an employee of Tesla, you can't buy one and if you leave outside the US you don't even know the price.
I'd drive one, but I don't think it would be the car to wean me off petrol
Verdict: a glorified golf cart for those who don't care at all for cars