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