As a non-Tesla enthusiast, I will say the Highland certainly looks better than the prior model.

 

I had an hour free today, so I went and checked out the '24 Model 3. When I got there they only had the RWD available to drive, as the LR was out. It was Ultra Red, which IMO is much better looking than the old Red Multi-Coat. I think everyone knows what's changed, so I'll just give my impressions on a few things.

Ride quality is a huge improvement over the prior gen, and our '23 MYLR. It was very quiet and smooth driving down a typical suburban Chicago street in the Winter. Shifting into gear didn't seem natural, but I'm sure it becomes 2nd nature within a day or 2. The same with the steering wheel mounted turn signal controls. Other than those 2 things, the other controls are pretty much the same. I did see the rear seat display, but didn't interact with it during my drive.

I'm sure for someone coming from a mainstream ICE vehicle, the RWD seems very quick. It reminded me of the VW ID4 we drove last year during our initial research, but after owning the dual motor long range Y, it felt SLOW. When I came back I mentioned that, and by then the LR version had returned. They passed me the key card for that one and I was off again. It too drove extremely smooth and quiet over every road imperfection I went over. That alone should sell a ton of these things. The power was now what I expected and it felt like a rocket!

As it was 30 degrees today, I didn't check out the ventilated seats, but it's nice that they now come with that option. The RWD sound system was noticeably worse than the AWD, due to them pulling out speakers from the lower model. That seems like a lame cost cutting move, but I'm sure most won't even notice. The other thing that stood out was how comfortable the seats were. I'm tallish (6"4"), so I always drive with the seat all the way back and down. In our Y, I'm still seated a little too high, but not something I would complain about. In the 3, it feels like I'm perfectly fitted in a high end sports car. The only issue is getting out, as I'm also getting older. Overall, if they come out with a Performance version of it, I'm probably dumping my last ICE.

Here's a few pictures of the RWD I drove. I would definitely get a M3P in this color! The AWD was in the new Stealth Gray, so I didn't bother to take any pic's of that.

 

Great review. My brother in law has the 2023 rwd that I've driven a bunch of times, so I know what you mean by underpowered, can't go there. I've driven the Model X, so I've already experienced the lack of stalks, not a big adjustment. Next week I may also do a test drive of the new Model 3 LR, I'm really curious about the improvements

 

The Model 3 has grown up. And we love our early car, a Dec 2018 Mid Range.

 

Model 3 looks great and great personal reviews so far in this thread.

 

The Tesla showroom is next door to our new Fremont building, and since I will be there meeting a vendor next week, decided to book a test drive of the Model 3 LR



C'mon guys, you're not leaving me out 😊

 

nice... hopefully the new model 3 will be a giant hit.
even the 'old' 3 to me is a very attractive design. most times that i see the tall version of it though (Y) it just doesn't quite look right in its proportions. it's not terrible, but i don't think it's beautiful like a 3 and the 3 highland takes it further. hopefully the Y highland will also look a lot better.

really glad new 3 is quieter in side and rides better. the lack of stalks one can adjust to but i have to say that steering wheel is fugly.

 

People like myself who bought a Y didn't for it's looks. More for the extra room in the front and rear, extra storage, and it utility. Although I personally like the way it looks. Had I been going for looks, Model S would have been my choice.

Q2 will start giving us a picture, and of course Q4 will give us the final determination. Just a feeling, but I think it will do well

 

Y is non offensive, the shape is all about function. No fake grilles that stick out 3 feet for no reason, no fake intakes, no bulges and other styling cues that serve no purpose. That's why I used to buy Toyota the styling was there to serve the platform not the other way around.

 

I like the design of the 3, I like the Y, and old as it is I still really like the design of the S (and the X for that matter)

 

I prefer the styling of the Higland over the outgoing 3, the S definitely looks better than both(and should, it's the premium product of the brand). The Y's proportions just have never sat well with me. I think Tesla would have been better served making an all new body style for the Y rather than just making a taller Model 3.

I really disagree with the decision to get rid of the stalks for turn signals and wipers, I think there's value in keeping controls that have been standardized across the industry for decades. Moving it to a button on the wheel for no reason other than to be quirky is foolish and immature, IMO. I feel similarly about replacing the instrument panels with having all information displayed on a center-mounted tablet. ICE automakers are also making cars worse this way by moving as many controls as possible into touch screens.

 

As far as the stalk removal, I'm not happy about it, but I drove the Model X last summer, and it's really not that big of deal, I got used to it quickly. As far as replacing the instrument cluster and putting it in the screen, really it doesn't compromise anything. That was a big concern for me until I actually drove my brother in laws Model 3.

Tesla ain't your typical automaker, and as long as Elon is running the show, it never will be, which in most cases it's to Tesla's advantage. Notice I said most cases

 

The Raven refresh Model S is still my favorite of the Tesla designs.

Back on the 3 Highland, I tried to talk my wife into test driving one, but the lack of stalks was a no go for her. Her build also has the orange roof when it gets wet so I'm okay with keeping it for now

 

The stalk removal seems odd at first, to say the least.
Shifting into drive or reverse is no big deal.
When I test drove the Highland, I grabbed for the turn stalk and got air; then I thumbed the button. Different, but then again you don't have to take your hand off the wheel. Not sure how it would go if the steering wheel were well off center; guess I'll find out when I get the new car.

 

I'll take the stalk, please.