New Tesla Model 3 Highland Is Worlds Better Than My 2019 Tesla Model 3

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David Havasi and I each have 2019 Tesla Mannequin 3s. He’s bought a Lengthy Vary one and I’ve bought a Commonplace Vary Plus (SR+). We lately went to our native Tesla retailer and examined out the brand new Tesla Mannequin 3 Highland. (Aspect word: David arrange this retailer, and this entire area, when he labored at Tesla — between 2012 and 2019.)

The overarching takeaway: the brand new Mannequin 3 is faaaaaaaaaaaar higher than ours are. The largest variations are within the suspension and sound insulation, which have been clear points with the Tesla Mannequin 3 in its early years. Frankly, it’s one thing we couldn’t seize on video, however the diploma to which the brand new “Highland” Mannequin 3 is far smoother and quieter to drive is stunning. It’s worlds higher than ours in these regards. I didn’t take into account for a second upgrading earlier than this take a look at drive, however my goodness, it certain is tempting now! (However I’m nonetheless prone to simply tough it out and save my cash.)

Maybe the distinction isn’t as dramatic in comparison with a 2021 or 2022 Tesla Mannequin 3. I don’t know. However in comparison with a 2019 Tesla Mannequin 3, it’s like a complete completely different class of auto.

Humorous sufficient, once I bought residence from our take a look at drive and went in to edit articles on CleanTechnica, one of many first issues I noticed have been photographs of a gray Tesla Mannequin 3 Highland just like the one David and I take a look at drove. It confused me for a break up second, nevertheless it turned out Kyle Field had also just test driven the new Model 3 and uploaded photos to our media library. After I went by way of his first-impressions evaluation of the upgraded Mannequin 3, I used to be heartened and felt vindicated to see that he had the identical impressions! He even principally mentioned a few of the very same issues we mentioned throughout our take a look at drive (watch the video).

“Having owned a 2018 Tesla Mannequin 3 for 4 years, the brand new Tesla Mannequin 3 is a completely refined model of its predecessor from prime to backside. It’s clearly from the identical household however brings a completely new stage of luxurious, refinement, and energy to the sport, and all that at a lower cost level. Let’s soar in,” Kyle mentioned. “The big selection of small enhancements make the up to date Mannequin 3 really feel prefer it’s truly a luxurious automobile for the very first time,” he added later within the article. David and I totally agree.

The truth is, David and I examined out the suspension and sound insulation fairly a bit, together with taking the automobile off-road quickly and driving over some very bumpy supplies and dips within the highway. Sadly, we couldn’t seize how a lot completely different the expertise can be in our vehicles, however we are able to guarantee you it was dramatic sufficient that it actually shocked us.

By way of the inside, there are additionally now ventilated seats (yay!), a greater heart console and wi-fi telephone mount, a display within the again for the children to look at films or exhibits on a highway journey, play video video games, or at the very least management the air con in a enjoyable means.

Then there’s the shortage of stalks. Frankly, I figured I might hate this, however I discovered it a lot simpler than anticipated and will see myself shortly getting used to it. The additional house is sort of good, too. Nevertheless, I do fear in regards to the display getting laggy or performing up after which not having a technique to change between Park, Drive, Reverse, and Impartial — so I’d nonetheless fairly purchase a automobile with stalks for that. The flip sign buttons on the steering wheel are in an especially simple place, although, and are literally simpler and faster to manage than on a standard automobile. You simply should rewire your muscle reminiscence and can end up transferring to regulate ghost stalks within the meantime.

Additionally, in the meanwhile at the very least, the touchscreen is way more responsive — a lot much less laggy — than it’s in my Mannequin 3. Sadly, I don’t actually recall how responsive mine was 4½ years in the past when it was model new, nevertheless it has undoubtedly degraded to some extent over since then. How significantly better the brand new Tesla Mannequin 3 touchscreen will maintain up and keep pleasantly responsive, I don’t know. Perhaps some laptop specialists studying this might present some commentary and assist with expectations on that.

There are a number of different little design variations David and I focus on within the video. Watch it if you haven’t yet!

Is it definitely worth the cash to improve? Nicely, that calls for on how a lot cash is value to you and the way a lot you respect these upgrades. Your mileage might differ.