I Test Drove the New Tesla Model 3: Here's What Impressed Me

First, here are the bullet points of Merritt about his personal impressions of the new and refreshed Tesla Model 3

• The Interior of the refreshed Tesla Model 3 feels more premium than the previous version.
• The sound system is very good.
• No stalks behind the steering wheel (the driver got used to it quickly).
  • Turn signals on the steering wheel felt natural and had good button feedback.
• The rear seat screen of the new Model 3 is good, but a little low.
• Ventilated seats are very effective.
• Suspension is softer than the previous generation.
• New 360° acoustic windows make the cabin quieter.

Merrit put it a little differently and tweeted the following, with the above-accompanying image.

I just test-drove the new Model 3. The Interior definitely feels more premium vs the previous version. The sound system is insanely good. There are cars that are 2-3x as expensive as this one that don’t sound this good.

I thought I wouldn’t like that there were no stalks behind the steering wheel, but I got used to it almost immediately. I was especially skeptical of the turn signals directly on the steering wheel, but it surprisingly felt very natural to me. They are real buttons too, unlike the Model S/X turn signals, so the feedback feels good.

The rear seat screen is great, though a little too low down.

The ventilated seats on the new 3 are REALLY good. My butt felt ice cold lol. The suspension felt softer than the previous generation, but not massively so. The new Model 3 now has 360° acoustic windows, and you definitely notice the cabin is quieter because of it.

"Overall, great experience. Great job Tesla team on this vehicle," Merrit wrote.

So what's the argument for buying a Tesla Model S instead? Paul Roetzer, the founder of Marketing AI institude, asked that question, adding he has had a Model S, and considering if Model 3 is a viable alternative when his Model S lease expires.

Merritt responded that the Tesla Model S has a lot more cargo capacity, air suspension, more range, quicker acceleration, slightly more premium interior, bigger main display (17"), etc. But the new 3 is a really good deal since a lot of Model S features have trickled down to the S.

The new Model 3 has a significantly smoother ride compared to older versions. This is thanks to a softer suspension that absorbs bumps and road imperfections more effectively, providing a more comfortable driving experience.

You know, I sometimes think the Model 3 is perhaps Tesla's best vehicle. Old or new version - it’s an enjoyable vehicle to drive, owners say. Do you agree with this view?

I hope Tesla has improved the carpet in the new Model 3 because I read one owner writing about his current Model 3 carpet "has been coming apart since it was brand new. You's think they would have included floor mats to hid the horrendous carpet materials." 

What are the things you love about the new Tesla Model 3?

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.