The Drive Report: Tesla Model 3

Tesla fever appears to have gripped the nation. At least for now. While Tesla is only retailing the global-spec Model Y in the country, the brand has stated that it intends to bring in the Model 3 sometime in 2026. It’s a logical corollary to the arrival of the Model Y, which shares much with the Model 3, including the platform, giga casting components and most aspects of the chassis and frame. Given that the Model Y is sold in global spec, with both variants featuring the same 60kWh battery, albeit in long-range and standard range models, the Model 3 is also likely to follow suit, keeping the AWD version out of the mix. Because as a CBU, it is already considerably, if not prohibitively, expensive.

The Model 3 has, ever since its launch in 2017, been the brand’s most successful model. In fact, it still holds the distinction of being the best-selling electric car, globally, often having been credited with founding the compact electric sedan segment. While the car has remained fundamentally unchanged since then, there have been a few tweaks to its overall appearance and to its features list. So what’s so special about the Model 3 that has given it its global appeal? Other than the fact that it’s likely to be cheaper by Rs 3-4 lakh? The good news is that the Model 3 is arriving in India a good decade after it was launched which means a lot of the issues regarding interior quality, bumpy suspension and panel gaps have more or less been addressed.

Getting behind the wheel

I found myself behind the wheel of the Tesla Model 3 on a crisp spring morning in the suburbs of Berlin. Up until recently, Germany was a key market for Tesla, having only witnessed a decline in sales this year for a variety of reasons that had little to do with the efficacy of Teslas in general. After having what can only be described as a questionable pre-drive experience, given the evident cost-savings disguised as minimalistic design choices, I was headed towards the Autobahn.

Right off the bat, this is a quick car. That’s not a novelty when it comes to EVs these days, especially those in the sub Rs 60 lakh bracket but it’s good to know that even the single-motor version of the Model 3, whose standard version is equipped with a 57.5 kWh battery and puts out a fairly impressive 283hp. The Long-Range Version (the one being driven) gets a larger battery pack, and is quicker to 100kph by a good second thanks to an extra 40 hp. It manages it in under 5 seconds. I didn’t have an opportunity to test the entire range, but it’s safe to assume it falls short of the advertised WLTP numbers. Suffice it to say, Tesla’s battery optimisation prowess is great in terms of how much range it can squeeze out of a relatively smaller battery. In that regard, it beats its direct rivals hands down.

The Model 3 is quiet and smooth to a fault. It remains to be seen how its suspension handles Indian roads, but on the Autobahn, it felt buttery smooth, with plenty of go at the tap of the throttle. The ride is plush and quiet, the visibility it offers is incredible. Seats aren’t the most well-bolstered but they remain softly cushioned and quite comfortable. Like most EVs, the Tesla corners flatly, is quick to accelerate and offers, in standard guise, a relatively sterile driving experience.

Interiors

The interiors continue to be something of a shortcoming because they’re so dramatically different from anything you’ve driven, EVs included. For starters, before setting-off in the car, you must fiddle with the massive 15.4-inch touchscreen which takes care of pretty much every function. Seriously, there isn’t even an indicator or wiper stalk behind the steering wheel – something that muscle memory takes some getting used to. The indicator functions have now been moved to the steering wheel. There’s no gauge, and, save for the ones on the steering, not a single button. Which means you must fix the seat position, temperature, drive mode, heck even the gear selector can only be accessed only via the screen. There is a notable uptick in the quality of materials but it’s still a tad frugal compared to what the competition offers. Which means it was only after 30-odd minutes of fiddling with the screen that the Tesla was ready to roll. Thankfully, it does remember your settings, so configuration is a one-time task.

Verdict

It’s unclear which spec of the Model 3 will make it to India. The global spec on the Model Y differs from the one sold in the US and the UK and the model imported to India comes from Tesla’s China factory. Other than the novelty of owning the brand, which may soon wear off, there isn’t much that the Model 3 offers over its competitors from BYD, Hyundai and BMW, in this range. However, without a dedicated Supercharger network, or approval for its Full Self Driving (FSD) package, the Model 3’s feathers will be summarily plucked, with two of the main reasons for buying a Tesla having been taken out of the equation. When the mist surrounding Tesla clears, it might find itself reduced to a bit player. Unless it invests in local manufacturing like many European carmakers did, decades ago.