DRIVEN + VIDEO: Edmunds Gets Its Hands On A Tesla Model 3 — Watch The VERDICT, Now!

DRIVEN + VIDEO: Edmunds Gets Its Hands On A Tesla Model 3 — Watch The VERDICT, Now!
The Tesla Model 3 is, in my opinion, one of the most important vehicles in automotive history. Although I am sure some will disagree, I feel confident that the success or failure of this auto will have a ripple effect across the space.

There's many reasons for this, but for brevity, let me keep it short:

1) Tesla's brand is stronger than any other automaker with exception of the exotics, like Ferrari;

2) Tesla has made electric vehicles a "must have" item — it's aspirational and also something that the folks with big bank accounts need to have to keep up with the Joneses (if you're into that sort of thing); and,

3) I do believe the Model 3 is a do or die moment for Tesla. 

Given the production hang ups and now reported customer concern about what they're receiving — premium interior option issues — we're interested to know how it actually is behind the wheel. Good news! The folks at Edmunds recently got behind the wheel and are now going to tell us their thoughts.

Check out the clip below!


What is it like to drive the long-awaited Tesla Model 3 sedan? Director of Vehicle Testing Dan Edmunds shares his thoughts after spending a weekend in our newest long-term test vehicle.

Q: How much does the 2017 Tesla Model 3 cost?
A: They're not yet building the $35,000 base vehicle with the standard battery. All 2017 Tesla Model 3 sedans have the long-range battery, so they start at $44,000. For the time being, the $5,000 Premium Upgrades package is a mandatory option, so the effective base price of the car is $49,000. This test vehicle was priced at $55,000 because it also has Autopilot ($5,000) and a paint color other than black ($1,000). Delivery and taxes are extra, of course.

Q: How far will the 2017 Tesla Model 3 go on a full charge?
A: Model 3 sedans built with the long-range battery are officially rated to deliver 310 miles of range. The base model will be rated at 220 miles when it debuts in the near future.

Q: How much power does the 2017 Tesla Model 3 have?
A: The rear-mounted electric motor produces 258 horsepower. There is no transmission because the Model 3 uses direct drive to power the rear wheels.

Q: How quick is the Model 3?
A: We have not yet brought our Tesla Model 3 to the track. Complete test results will be coming to Edmunds soon.



MDarringerMDarringer - 1/14/2018 12:05:25 PM
+3 Boost
So essentially you spend $50K for what you can do in an ICE car for $25K. THAT is the hurdle that EV manufacturers need to solve. The Bolt is a nice "everyman" EV but it's twice the cost of a Sonic. The Model 3 might be a cheap Tesla, but it's not a game changer.


runninglogan1runninglogan1 - 1/14/2018 6:34:49 PM
0 Boost
Yeah. Lots of $25k sedans with rear wheel drive that can do zero to sixty in 4.6 seconds. Lol.


MDarringerMDarringer - 1/14/2018 12:19:46 PM
0 Boost
The Teslarati also want to pretend that the Model 3 is the first mainstream EV when it so obviously isn't.


MDarringerMDarringer - 1/14/2018 12:22:40 PM
+1 Boost
What's with the cheap plastic wheel covers by the way.


TheSteveTheSteve - 1/14/2018 2:14:15 PM
+6 Boost
Car buyers look at two important criteria (amongst others):
- What do I get
- What will it cost me

So far, EVs are *NOT* a no-compromise replacement for ICE, on that basis, for most consumers. I believe we're heading in that direction, but we're not there today.


MDarringerMDarringer - 1/14/2018 2:19:25 PM
+1 Boost
Oh God, Steve. Don't anger the Teslarati. The Model 3 is the messiah of cars.


TomMTomM - 1/15/2018 6:43:16 AM
+1 Boost
Matt - Remember MATT - for god's chosen people - the Jews - the messiah has not come yet.

Neither has the messiah of cars as well


MrEEMrEE - 1/14/2018 3:19:22 PM
+1 Boost
Easily a home run product, once they get production up to speed and reliability is proven. The touch control is a bit of learning and may be nonissue once voice control is added.


MDarringerMDarringer - 1/14/2018 5:33:47 PM
-1 Boost
For a second, I thought this was an Alfa Romeo thread: "Easily a home run product, once...reliability is proven."


mre30mre30 - 1/14/2018 4:46:42 PM
+4 Boost
Wonderful...game-changing...innovative...like nothing else...I'm holding onto my second reservation...

Once the 5,000 or 10,000 'must-have-the-latest' early adopters get theirs, no one else is going to care.

Then you are down to the honest people who say "its distracting to drive because there are no real controls...the glass roof bakes the occupants and it squeaks...I can't figure out how to get the AC to keep from blowing in my face through the steering wheel...I just smashed into the car in front of me while I was turning on the wipers...."

The end is near for the Teslarati.


mre30mre30 - 1/14/2018 4:50:34 PM
+2 Boost
By the way, about 6 months ago I went into the Tesla store in my town in the Hamptons to ask what they could show me about the Model 3 to help my decision about placing a reservation or not (curious about what they would say).

The Tesla retail employees said there was nothing they could show me but took down my information.

Lo and behold, I'm sitting home watching basketball this weekend and I was cold-called by someone in a Tesla call-center telling me that they noticed I was interested in a Model 3 in the "___-Hampton" Tesla store and the would like to take me thru the reservation process so I could get myself a Model 3. I asked them 'how-long?' they told me !!!!!! 6 months !!!!!!!

I guess Tesla no longer has 400,000 reservation holders?

Anyone else get cold-called by Tesla to place a Model 3 order?


mre30mre30 - 1/14/2018 5:10:28 PM
+1 Boost
Further - Tesla has said NOTHING about how safe the Model 3 is and how stellar it did in crash test results.

Should we infer from that glaring omission that it is a deathtrap?

When do we see the gauzy IIHS video showing the crash test mannequin family gallantly surviving when their Model 3's collision with an Escalade ESV driven by a distrated parent with a cell phone in one hand and head turned screaming at 3 kids in the back?

Subjectively, there does not seem to be much mass in between the driver's face and the end of the "Frunk" as it submarines under the Escalade's hardened steel trailer hitch.

Anyone with me on this concern?

If crash results were good - Tesla would have said something...if crash results were terrible, Tesla will most certainly say NOTHING.

We are in the land of NOTHING apparently - do we assume its a death trap?


MDarringerMDarringer - 1/14/2018 6:11:45 PM
0 Boost
#popcorn


vdivvdiv - 1/15/2018 10:27:47 PM
+1 Boost
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcZkkGL85AI


runninglogan1runninglogan1 - 1/14/2018 6:39:16 PM
-4 Boost
The Model 3 is obviously going to be a grand slam home run. Will probably become the best selling sedan in the country. Most new owners are raving about it. All you naysayers need to pull your heads out of your asses.


MBguyMBguy - 1/14/2018 8:55:45 PM
+4 Boost
"The Model 3 ... Will probably become the best selling sedan in the country."

You really think the Model 3 is going to be outselling the Camry and Accord?

Almost zero chance of that ever happening.

You need to pull your head out of your ass(es).


MDarringerMDarringer - 1/14/2018 9:25:36 PM
0 Boost
@MBguy...snowflake unicorns don't need fact in order to state their opinions as fact because that would just get in the way.


supermotosupermoto - 1/15/2018 11:36:06 AM
+2 Boost
Camry sold over 300k units in 2017. Tesla won't even be able to sell 50k model 3s next year. Dream on.


MrEEMrEE - 1/16/2018 8:14:48 PM
+1 Boost
As their single low cost model and the preorders, beating Accord or Camry in one year sales is possible if only they could produce that many. More likely once production ramps there will be a SUV version that splits the volume.
So much innovation and well thought out features, plus the potential modest base price.
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