More Refined, But Not Perfect: Tesla Model 3 review ???? ⚡ #ev #electricvehicle | ???? RACV car revi

It’s officially a facelift, but the 2024 version of the Tesla Model 3 goes further than the typical updates that can freshen a model mid-way through its life.

The new 2024 Tesla Model 3 sedan evolves a successful formula rather than starting from a clean sheet.

But the changes are significant compared to the previous version of the Model 3.

While the overall shape and basic body remains – the roof and window openings are unchanged – there’s a new bonnet, new doors and double glazing added to the rear windows to match those up front. Tesla has also quietened the cabin, enlisted new seat and door finishes, added some equipment and revised the suspension to improve comfort and driving manners.

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 is still available as a single motor Rear-Wheel drive – which is what we’ve tested here – and a dual-motor Long Range with a bigger battery and more performance.

Later in 2024, Tesla will also start offering a Model 3 Performance, which will go a lot further than just added straight line speed. Tesla has previously said the new Model 3 Performance will be far more special for those keen on driving excitement.

The Tesla Model 3 kicks off in Rear-Wheel Drive guise priced at $54,900 plus on-road costs.

For that you get a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, heated steering wheel, powered tailgate, an above-average sound system and heated seats front and rear. There’s also now adjustable ambient lighting just below the window line and white footwell lighting up front as well as ventilation for the front seats.

Plus those in the rear get an 8-inch infotainment screen.

There’s the occasional omission compared with the previous model; no parking sensors, for example, with the 2024 Tesla Model 3 instead relying on cameras to judge distances to obstacles. Plus, whereas there was previously seat heating for all five seats, the person in the centre rear now misses out.

And, of course, Teslas these days do without any charging hardware, so you’ll have to make sure you’ve got home charging sorted before you park it in the driveway.

Step up to the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range and the ask is $64,900 plus on-road costs. It brings a bigger battery and front motor to deliver all-wheel drive functionality and swifter acceleration.

The only equipment difference with the Model 3 Long Range is a better sound system, with a pumping 17-speaker system setting a new standard for the brand.

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 is covered by a sub-standard four-year, 80,000km warranty, although it’s likely Australian Consumer Law (ACL) will step in for any major defects after that time. The high-voltage battery is covered by a separate eight-year, 160,000km warranty.

In terms of rivals, the most serious is arguably the Toyota Camry because of its broad appeal. But the Tesla Model 3 also competes with luxury offerings such as the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4.

On the EV front, the Model 3 (which is closely related to the Model Y SUV) lines up against the Polestar 2, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and even the new BYD Seal.

The new Tesla Model 3 no longer gets a five-star ANCAP safety rating from the previous model.

Tesla says it made with this latest model, however.

Chief among them is better side impact protection courtesy of redesigned doors that now include a hook on the bottom edge of the doors to slot into a groove on each door sill, something designed to better hold the door in place in a crash.

The 2024 Model 3 has also picked up a pedestrian warning system as part of the under-bonnet speaker that doubles as the horn. There’s also a speaker in the rear of the car for the rear pedestrian warning system.

Dual front airbags, front side airbags and side curtain airbags also help give the Tesla Model 3 a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Of course, there’s also autonomous emergency braking – now triggered via dual forward-facing cameras rather than with the addition of a radar – as well as blind spot warning.

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 also gets an in-cabin camera facing its occupants to monitor the driver. Functionality will also be added to that camera in future to allow for child presence detection, something that is part of the future ANCAP roadmap.

Read more: https://www.racv.com.au/royalauto/car-reviews/tesla/tesla-model-3-rwd-2024-review.html

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