Page 90 - Motor Trend (January 2020)

COTY

Finalists

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

2019 Tesla Model 3

fter being named a finalist had more personality than the
at MotorTrend’s 2018 Car of Nissan and Kia.
Athe Year, the Tesla Model 3 The Model 3 Performance
has received significant changes ups that experience. The car is a
and additions that make it worth thrill to drive on a winding track,
another look. canyon road, or highway. “The
The Model 3 we received then Track mode stability control
was an early production model calibration is wonderful,” Markus
with the long-range battery said. “Definitely a comfortable
(310 miles) and rear-wheel-drive amount of oversteer allowed in
traction. Although we enjoyed every corner where I probed it.
its excellent driving dynamics, The latest Model 3’s seats This car shouldn’t scare anyone,
we criticized its seating position offer more bolstering, and the yet you can give the advanced
for rear passengers and were rear seats have been raised for driver some definite fun.” times shutting off randomly.
concerned that almost every improved comfort. Tesla also But there’s still some work to Autopilot also got nervous in
control required a dive through improved the ease of use of the do with NVH. Yes, electric cars situations that wouldn’t bother
the giant central touchscreen. touchscreen controls, simplifying are quiet. Still, some judges a human driver: Do I run across
A lot has changed in two some menus. But you still have to complained about the road and the center line to avoid the car
years. The long-awaited $35,000 swim through menus to change tire noise in both trims, especially parked on the shoulder, or should
base model arrived with a slight many simple settings. during highway driving. And some I scare the hell out of that parked
increase in its projected price, and In terms of driving, the Model 3 buzzes and rattles came from driver? Tesla’s answer: the latter.
a new Performance model is now has a lot to offer. “It’s the best within the car on cruddy roads. And unless you already know
available for those who want more sport sedan on the market,” Theo- The erratic nature of the Autopilot won’t bring the car to a
sportiness. We had a chance to dore said of the Model 3 Standard Navigate on Autopilot feature stop, discovering that limita-
test both the Standard Range Plus Range Plus. With an as-tested was more concerning. Although tion while approaching a line of
with 240 miles of range and rear- price of $43,100, it’s cheaper it’s pitched as one of the most stopped cars can be alarming.
wheel drive as well as the Dual than the Nissan Leaf Plus SL and advanced driver assistance The Model 3 has advanced,
Motor Performance model with the Kia Niro EV, and it offers more systems on the market, it provided and given the beta-test nature
Track mode, which has 310 miles of range than the Nissan and better differing responses for our drivers of Tesla cars, we can assume this
range, all-wheel drive, and face- looks than either. The Model 3 also traveling the same testing loop— disruptive Model 3 will continue to
melting acceleration. drove better, was quicker, and sometimes working well, other improve. Miguel Cortina

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 Standard Range Plus

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