Page 52 - Motor Trend (April 2020)

What to do while waiting for your Tesla
to charge? How about stream Netflix or
play this driving game that responds to
steering and pedal inputs? Cool.

1st Place: Tesla Model 3
Still the best affordable EV
After driving the Model 3’s explosive Dual
Motor Performance version, this rear-
drive, 50-kW-hr Standard Range Plus
feels like you’ve met that extrovert car’s
reclusive younger brother. Whereas the
Performance model is all about smoking
Track mode handling and dragstrip accel-
eration, the Standard Range Plus is just as
impressive in the real-world rat race. On
the road, it’s relentlessly delighting with
agile handling for a 3,500-pound car and a
firm but absorbent ride.
Our Model 3 ran the table for best-in-
class in almost every category you can
invent: from a scat-quick 5-second zip to
60 mph to 240 miles of range from this limitations of the compact sedan silhou-
trio’s significantly smallest battery (i.e., ette and battery pack location.) Testing
the most efficient). It has a blistering assistant Alan Lau thought its rearview
170-kW fast charge rate (assuming a mirror vision was compromised, and he’s
charger is available). Then there’s the right about that.
standard Autopilot, which although Tesla’s early bets on its Supercharger
imperfect is still laps ahead of the pack. network and over-the-air updatability are
Just pay attention, keep your hands and paying off now, big time. If you think of
feet at the ready, and don’t presume it’s a the Niro and Leaf as frozen photographs
trustable self-driving car. It isn’t. of two pretty good cars, the Model 3 is a
The Model 3’s only real bruises are self-improving video stream. Autopilot
its 14.6-cubic-foot trunk and the rear and Summon are updating so often now
passengers’ raised-knee seating position. that it’s hard to keep track. In fact, while I
(Tesla revamped the seating position simmered over this piece, our car’s range
after we complained about it two years and acceleration both improved. You have
Alan Lau and Alec Brooks flank the author.
Verdict: The best affordable EV is the Tesla. ago, but it still can’t get past the physical to write fast to keep up with Tesla. Q

52 MOTORTREND.COM APRIL 2020