This is just my personal take, but I think it’s still worth sharing.
I finally got a chance to try out Tesla’s FSD (well, let’s just call it what it really is—driver assistance) on a 2018 Model 3 RWD with Hardware 3. It belongs to a relative, and I’ve been curious to see how much it’s improved.
For context: I went in with some bias. I had driven a 2020 Model 3 about a year ago, and the version of FSD back then was honestly terrible. It did some really dangerous stuff—like merging onto a highway at the last possible second, with no safe gap in traffic, no signal, and almost clipped another car. Then, 10 minutes later, it made another dumb move exiting the highway. That was enough to completely turn me off the whole thing.
But yesterday’s experience? Totally different story.
I only drove it for about 20 minutes, so not a deep dive by any means. But in that time, I had it merge onto a busy highway, exit, and then make a quick lane change across three lanes to double back. I also tried it on city streets with construction, detours, four-way stops, roundabouts, and a couple of busy intersections.
And honestly? I was blown away.
It drove in a way that felt natural—calm, cautious, and human-like. My brother-in-law had it set to the "Standard" profile, and it felt super chill and confidence-inspiring. It was a complete 180 from what I experienced a year ago. I actually found it relaxing to let the car handle things—and this is coming from someone who enjoys driving and doesn’t exactly take it slow.
I still can’t believe how capable it was, even in just these everyday driving situations—commuting, running errands, maybe even a road trip. When the time comes to replace my current Model S, I’d absolutely pay to have this feature. Even if I only used it occasionally, it would be worth it.
One thing I will say: I still see it as driver assistance, not full self-driving, because you absolutely need to stay alert and be ready to take over. And I get why people criticize Tesla for calling it "FSD"—it sets the wrong expectation, because it’s not fully autonomous yet.
I was so caught up in how well it performed, I didn’t even think to take any photos or videos—but hey, the internet is full of those anyway.
This is just my personal take, but I think it’s still worth sharing.
I finally got a chance to try out Tesla’s FSD (well, let’s just call it what it really is—driver assistance) on a 2018 Model 3 RWD with Hardware 3. It belongs to a relative, and I’ve been curious to see how much it’s improved.
For context: I went in with some bias. I had driven a 2020 Model 3 about a year ago, and the version of FSD back then was honestly terrible. It did some really dangerous stuff—like merging onto a highway at the last possible second, with no safe gap in traffic, no signal, and almost clipped another car. Then, 10 minutes later, it made another dumb move exiting the highway. That was enough to completely turn me off the whole thing.
But yesterday’s experience? Totally different story.
I only drove it for about 20 minutes, so not a deep dive by any means. But in that time, I had it merge onto a busy highway, exit, and then make a quick lane change across three lanes to double back. I also tried it on city streets with construction, detours, four-way stops, roundabouts, and a couple of busy intersections.
And honestly? I was blown away.
It drove in a way that felt natural—calm, cautious, and human-like. My brother-in-law had it set to the "Standard" profile, and it felt super chill and confidence-inspiring. It was a complete 180 from what I experienced a year ago. I actually found it relaxing to let the car handle things—and this is coming from someone who enjoys driving and doesn’t exactly take it slow.
I still can’t believe how capable it was, even in just these everyday driving situations—commuting, running errands, maybe even a road trip. When the time comes to replace my current Model S, I’d absolutely pay to have this feature. Even if I only used it occasionally, it would be worth it.
One thing I will say: I still see it as driver assistance, not full self-driving, because you absolutely need to stay alert and be ready to take over. And I get why people criticize Tesla for calling it "FSD"—it sets the wrong expectation, because it’s not fully autonomous yet.
I was so caught up in how well it performed, I didn’t even think to take any photos or videos—but hey, the internet is full of those anyway.
Try it in a Tesla using Hardware v4, then lets talk . I would also classify it as "drivers assistance", although it is amazing how good it's gotten. I have it free until April 15, so I use it all the time on the freeway. It hasn't done even one unsafe lane change, the only 1 issue is at a backed up right turn where there is a bicycle lane, it will avoid the bike lane and try and pass the cars that are in the bike lane. I don't think it's legal to be in the bike lane, and that's probably why it avoids it, but reality is, when cars are backed up, that's where they go
Try it in a Tesla using Hardware v4, then lets talk . I would also classify it as "drivers assistance", although it is amazing how good it's gotten. I have it free until April 15, so I use it all the time on the freeway. It hasn't done even one unsafe lane change, the only 1 issue is at a backed up right turn where there is a bicycle lane, it will avoid the bike lane and try and pass the cars that are in the bike lane. I don't think it's legal to be in the bike lane, and that's probably why it avoids it, but reality is, when cars are backed up, that's where they go
What are the major "pros" or enhancements on a V4 car?
One that I'm aware of is that it can start from your driveway and park in your driveway.
On the v3 car I drove yesterday I had to drive it off my driveway and then it would start. Same thing when I came back. Interestingly enough, it stopped in front of my house so that I could back it in - as opposed to just stopping in front of the driveway. 👍
What are the major "pros" or enhancements on a V4 car?
One that I'm aware of is that it can start from your driveway and park in your driveway.
On the v3 car I drove yesterday I had to drive it off my driveway and then it would start. Same thing when I came back. Interestingly enough, it stopped in front of my house so that I could back it in - as opposed to just stopping in front of the driveway. 👍
Well, a more powerful computer for one. HW v3 uses a more software for processing while HW4 offloads to the hardware. Also, better camera's. HW v4 also uses FSD v13x which uses Tesla's Neural network, while FSD on HW v3 only (so far) supports FSD v12x. You can see the differences how everything is rendered around you when on HW v4
What are the major "pros" or enhancements on a V4 car?
One that I'm aware of is that it can start from your driveway and park in your driveway.
On the v3 car I drove yesterday I had to drive it off my driveway and then it would start. Same thing when I came back. Interestingly enough, it stopped in front of my house so that I could back it in - as opposed to just stopping in front of the driveway. 👍
Well, a more powerful computer for one. HW v3 uses a more software for processing while HW4 offloads to the hardware. Also, better camera's. HW v4 also uses FSD v13x which uses Tesla's Neural network, while FSD on HW v3 only (so far) supports FSD v12x. You can see the differences how everything is rendered around you when on HW v4
In short, it drives "much better", is what I'm reading 👍👍
It's hard for me to imagine how much better it can be 👍😁
I've been meaning to pay attention the the SMS texts I get from Tesla every couple of weeks to test drive a Model S. I guess I should do that soon as I'd love to see how much better v4 is!
My most recent drive on FSD was when someone picked me up to run me home after I'd dropped off one of our cars for servicing. The drive home was a mix of town, then merging onto a moderately busy freeway, and then exiting the freeway to suburbia. Drove on FSD pretty much door to door. It is genuinely impressive how good it is. Absolutely natural responses, absolutely no drama on the trip.
What are the major "pros" or enhancements on a V4 car?
One that I'm aware of is that it can start from your driveway and park in your driveway.
On the v3 car I drove yesterday I had to drive it off my driveway and then it would start. Same thing when I came back. Interestingly enough, it stopped in front of my house so that I could back it in - as opposed to just stopping in front of the driveway. 👍
I still have a couple weeks of my FSD trial and will have to see if it pulls into my driveway. On HW3 in my last car it drove into the culdesac and instead of pulling in my driveway it went around the culdesac and started driving away lol. Have no idea where it was going to go so I took over.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob04
M3P on the left? Wheels and brakes don't look correct. Maybe it's just the angle but the tire sidewalls look too tall also.
Cybertruck looks great in dark colors.
It was in fact a new M3P. It had aftermarket wheels and you could see the red brake calipers.
. I would also classify it as "drivers assistance", although it is amazing how good it's gotten. I have it free until April 15, so I use it all the time on the freeway. It hasn't done even one unsafe lane change, the only 1 issue is at a backed up right turn where there is a bicycle lane, it will avoid the bike lane and try and pass the cars that are in the bike lane. I don't think it's legal to be in the bike lane, and that's probably why it avoids it, but reality is, when cars are backed up, that's where they go
