Motor Trend - USA (2020-01)

Vehicle Layout Plus Rear-motor, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Performance Front/rear elec motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan Engine/Transmission Plus

3-phase internal permanent-magnet electric motor/1-speed automatic Performance Front: induction electric motor; rear: 3-phase internal permanent-

magnet electric motor/front-rear 1-speed automatic Curb Weight (F/R Dist) Plus 3,553 lb (46/54%) Performance 4,052 lb (50/50%) Wheelbase 113.2 in

Length x Width x Height 184.8 x 72.8 x 56.8 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy Plus 24/27 kW-hr/100 miles Performance 28/30 kW-hr/100 miles CO2 Emissions,

Comb 0.00 lb/mile (at vehicle) * Before applicable tax credits

SPECS 2019 Tesla Model 3 (Standard Range Plus) Dual Motor Performance (Track)

Base Price/As Tested* $41,100/$43,100 $61,100/$67,100

Power (SAE net) 283 hp @ 5,100 rpm 450 hp comb

Torque (SAE net) 307 lb-ft @ 0 rpm 471 lb-ft comb

Accel, 0-60 mph 5.0 sec 3.2 sec

Quarter Mile 13.5 sec @ 104.9 mph 11.7 sec @ 115.7 mph

Braking, 60-0 mph 128 ft 104 ft

Lateral Acceleration 0.84 g (avg) 0.93 g (avg)

MT Figure Eight 26.4 sec @ 0.69 g (avg) 24.2 sec @ 0.83 g (avg)

EPA City/Hwy/Comb 140/124/133 mpg-e 120/112/116 mpg-e

The latest Model 3’s seats

offer more bolstering, and the

rear seats have been raised for

improved comfort. Tesla also

improved the ease of use of the

touchscreen controls, simplifying

some menus. But you still have to

swim through menus to change

many simple settings.

In terms of driving, the Model 3

has a lot to offer. “It’s the best

sport sedan on the market,” Theo-

dore said of the Model 3 Standard

Range Plus. With an as-tested

price of $43,100, it’s cheaper

than the Nissan Leaf Plus SL and

the Kia Niro EV, and it offers more

range than the Nissan and better

looks than either. The Model 3 also

drove better, was quicker, and

A

fter being named a finalist

at MotorTrend’s 2018 Car of

the Year, the Tesla Model 3

has received significant changes

and additions that make it worth

another look.

The Model 3 we received then

was an early production model

with the long-range battery

(310 miles) and rear-wheel-drive

traction. Although we enjoyed

its excellent driving dynamics,

we criticized its seating position

for rear passengers and were

concerned that almost every

control required a dive through

the giant central touchscreen.

A lot has changed in two

years. The long-awaited $35,000

base model arrived with a slight

increase in its projected price, and

a new Performance model is now

available for those who want more

sportiness. We had a chance to

test both the Standard Range Plus

with 240 miles of range and rear-

wheel drive as well as the Dual

Motor Performance model with

Track mode, which has 310 miles of

range, all-wheel drive, and face-

melting acceleration.

had more personality than the

Nissan and Kia.

The Model 3 Performance

ups that experience. The car is a

thrill to drive on a winding track,

canyon road, or highway. “The

Track mode stability control

calibration is wonderful,” Markus

said. “Definitely a comfortable

amount of oversteer allowed in

every corner where I probed it.

This car shouldn’t scare anyone,

yet you can give the advanced

driver some definite fun.”

But there’s still some work to

do with NVH. Yes, electric cars

are quiet. Still, some judges

complained about the road and

tire noise in both trims, especially

during highway driving. And some

buzzes and rattles came from

within the car on cruddy roads.

The erratic nature of the

Navigate on Autopilot feature

was more concerning. Although

it’s pitched as one of the most

advanced driver assistance

systems on the market, it provided

differing responses for our drivers

traveling the same testing loop—

sometimes working well, other

times shutting off randomly.

Autopilot also got nervous in

situations that wouldn’t bother

a human driver: Do I run across

the center line to avoid the car

parked on the shoulder, or should

I scare the hell out of that parked

driver? Tesla’s answer: the latter.

And unless you already know

Autopilot won’t bring the car to a

stop, discovering that limita-

tion while approaching a line of

stopped cars can be alarming.

The Model 3 has advanced,

and given the beta-test nature

of Tesla cars, we can assume this

disruptive Model 3 will continue to

improve. Miguel Cortina

Standard Range Plus

PRO Great handling • Upgraded seats • Thrilling performance CON Autopilot needs work • Screen-centric controls • Road and tire noise

COTY

2019 Tesla Model 3

Finalists