2020 Tesla Model 3 electric

Tesla had been ahead of its time when it launched the Model 3 as the most affordable electric vehicle in 2017 and things have only gotten better ever since. The 2020 Model 3 has been further refined and updated with a higher top-speed as compared to the previous year.

Tesla has become the go-to car for most millennials that try to do their bit in protecting the environment. The trims have are differentiated based on the drive train and the range that is offered making it versatile to meet personalized requirements.

For the year 2020 the Model 3 is offered in three trims namely Standard Range, Long Range and Performance. All these trims have respective range and power that is supplied to the respective drive-train they are offered in. 2020 Model 3 is retailed at an MSRP that starts at $39,990 and goes all the way to $56,990.

Model	Standard Range Plus(Rear-Wheel)	Long Range	Performance
MSRP	$39,990	$48,990	$56,990
Key Features	Range of 250 miles	Features of the Standard Range Plus trim as standard and additional features	Features of the Long Range trim as standard and additional features
	12-way Power-adjustable heated front seats	Long Range of 322 miles	Faster acceleration and more powerful with the optional performance upgrade
	Upgraded Audio-immersive sound	19” Aero Wheels	Long Range of 322 miles
	Premium Connectivity(30 days included)	Heated front and rear seats	18” Aero Wheels
	Custom Driver profiles	Premium audio-14 speakers,1 subwoofer, 2 amps, and an immersive sound
	Center Console with Storage	LED fog lamps
	4 USB ports and docking for 2 smartphones	Music and media over Bluetooth
	Tinted Glass roof with ultraviolet and infrared protection	Premium Connectivity
	Power Folding, heated side mirrors

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One can't go wrong with the Tesla Model 3 in any of the trims that they select. The Long Range trim would probably be a better pick out of the lot due to the presence of more luxury features on board and better infotainment support as well.

The addition of the optional Autopilot package would make the Model 3 essentially the best daily drive possible.

 

Any person that owns a petrol car and sits in the Tesla for the first time is bound for a new experience. The motors in Model 3 are quiet and smooth making the drive seem silent and almost as if the car is being towed by an invisible truck. The Model 3 has the batteries laid out under the floor due to which it has a low center of gravity.

The motor is mated to a 1-speed transmission and produces 258HP of power which can travel 250 miles on a full charge in the base trim. The Base Trim or the Standard Range trim sends the power generated from the motor directly to the rear wheels.

The Long Range trim offers a range of 322 miles with an all-wheel-drive as opposed to the rear-wheel-drive in the base trim. The unique aspect of the all-wheel-drive in Tesla is that there are 2 motors that digitally monitor the power and torque going to the front and rear wheels. This arrangement helps the car handle better with better traction.

The 2 motors can operate individually which is beneficial in case of an individual motor failure where one is still operatable.

Model	Tesla Model 3 Sedan long Range	Kia Niro EV	Chevrolet Bolt EV	BMW i3
MSRP	$48,990	$38,500	$37,495	$44,450
Motors	Electric	Electric	Permanent magnet Drive Motor	Synchronous Traction Motor
Transmission	1-speed direct drive	1-speed direct drive	1-speed direct drive	1-speed direct drive
Horsepower (hp)	258 hp	201 hp	200 hp	170 hp
Torque (lb-ft)	317 lb-ft	291 lb-ft	266 lb-ft	184 ft-lbs

Tesla has established benchmarks in the affordable segment with the performance offered by the Model 3. It is the best in terms of power and torque generated while keeping the price factor in check.

The Kia Nero here is second in the line up followed by the Chevrolet. BMW lacks the punch with Synchronous Traction Motors generating the lowest power figures among its rivals.

Acceleration

Model 3 is a proof of strategic craftsmanship of responsive acceleration and confident cornering due to the low center of gravity. The electric motor generates high torque rocketing the Model 3 off the start line or a traffic light with the prowess of a sports sedan.

Tesla has mastered the art of squeezing every bit of power from the electric motor, the Roadster that does 0-60 in 1.9 seconds is proof of the same. 

The 1-speed transmission just works with no lag or any kind of shifts that give it the linear acceleration. Driving gas-powered vehicles would never feel the same after sitting behind the steering wheel of an electric car.

Models	Tesla Model 3 Sedan long Range	Kia Niro EV	Chevrolet Bolt EV	BMW i3
0-60 MPH	4.4	N/A	6.5 sec	7.2 sec
Quarter mile	13.1	N/A	15.3 sec	N/A
Motor	Electric	Electric	Permanent magnet Drive Motor	Synchronous Traction Motor
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Tesla has no competition in terms of acceleration as it takes off the start line in the blink of an eye. The Bolt EV follows suit while lagging behind by 2 seconds which in performance terms is a lot. BMW comes in last again with the Synchronous Motor struggling to keep up.

Brakes

With the great capabilities from the motor, Tesla has ensured to equip equally capable brakes in the Model 3. The 12.3-inch brake rotors in the front and the 13.2-inch brake rotors in the back give the Tesla to halt at will with the slightest of feedback to the brake pedal.

With the presence of various sensors, the Model 3 can autonomously brake the car when it senses vehicles around assisting the driver in the best possible way.

Models	Tesla Model 3 Sedan long Range	Kia Niro EV	Chevrolet Bolt EV	BMW i3
Brake Front	12.6	11	11	11
Brake Rear	13.2	10.3	10	11
60-0 performance (ft)	119	122	132	125
Curb weight (lbs)	3549	3106	3563	2965

Tesla is again the best when it comes to bringing the car at a halt from 60MPH. The heavy frame is supported to the highest by the big brakes aiding its stop. The Kia Niro steps in second followed by the i3. The Chevrolet travels more distance even with brakes floored all the way.

Ride & Handling

The 2020 Model 3 exudes impressive balance during entering a corner, gliding through the bend and exiting it swiftly. The car is nimble with enough feedback traveling through the steering wheel. The dynamics are remarkable due to the almost perfect weight distribution between the front and the rear and the low center of gravity.

The heavy batteries laid out under the floor lower the center of gravity and the weight distribution between the front and the rear helps the Model 3 achieve the handling feats that people are growing to love.

It is a rather planted car with all feedback from the roads being felt due to the noiseless motors. This car is a charm to drive and one would simply be awestruck with its capabilities. There have been many petrol-heads that have taken a shining to the electric spectacle that all Tesla cars are.

 

The Electric cars have captured the flag in the fuel economy segment putting the most fuel-efficient gas-powered vehicles to shame. The Long Range model can go about 330 miles on a full charge when driven with rear-wheel drive and 322 miles with dual motor engaged all-wheel drive.

A high-speed drive is certain to drain the battery quicker as compared to a composed drive which would help with the efficiency. The brake regen feature also helps to conserve the battery to the fullest while applying brakes and converting that energy into the battery.

Models	2020 Tesla Model 3 Sedan long Range	Kia Niro EV	Chevrolet Bolt EV	BMW i3
MPC (city)	148	123	128	129
MPC (highway)	132	102	110	106
MPC (combined)	141	112	119	118

Tesla takes the cake again with the relatively high MPC figures as compared to all the other competitors on the list. The i3 is certainly frugal due to the low powered motor that does serve its purpose in being an efficient vehicle.

 

Model 3 does offer good comfort in the front seats with the bolstered seats that come with leather-wrapped around them. One might find the use of some low-quality materials around the cabin. But it is well compensated for with the low floors and the airy cabin that does make it feel roomy.

But on the contrary, the rear seats lack the lumbar support for improved comfort over long journeys.

The 15-inch infotainment system takes the center stage here with the bundle of tech factors that come installed in the car. There are no buttons as everything in the car is controlled via the infotainment system.

Models	Tesla Model 3 Sedan long Range	Kia Niro EV	Chevrolet Bolt EV	BMW i3
Seating Capacity	5	5	5	4
Front (head/ shoulder/leg)(inch)	40.3/56.3/42.7	40.1/56.0/41.7	39.7/54.6/41.6	39.1/56.1/42.2
Rear (head/ shoulder/leg)(inch)	37.7/54.0/35.2	37.7/55.1/36.0	37.9/52.8/36.5	37.4/55.0/35.7

Tesla does have impressive room in the front seats but Chevrolet has better legroom in the rear. The quality of materials used in the Chevrolet do seem better in comparison to Tesla, however, Tesla feels much tech-savvy in comparison.

The interior in the Kia Niro is not inspiring at all and seems rather cluttered. BMW accommodates only 4 people and has the signature minimalistic design.

Interior Features

• A fully tinted glass roof
• 12-way power-adjustable heated front and rear seats 
• Fold-flat second-row seats
• Premium audio – 14 speakers, 1 subwoofer, 2 amps, and immersive sound experience
• Custom Driver Profiles
• Power folding, heated side mirrors
• Center console with storage, 4 USB ports, and docking for 2 smartphones

Infotainment System

The Infotainment is the crown jewel of the Tesla. It may look like a Smart-Tablet of sort put in landscape mode it does offer similar functionalities. The Smartphone connectivity via the Tesla App allows the doors, hood, and trunk to be opened and closed. The buttons at the bottom of the infotainment provide haptic touch feed back.

This takes away all the buttons out of the Model 3 and adds them to the Infotainment. Every bit regarding the vehicle is controlled via the touch info system.

The car also is partly autonomous like other Tesla cars but needs driver supervision during normal conditions. The features that it will add are:

• Navigate on Autopilot is automatic driving from highway on-ramp to off-ramp including interchanges and overtaking slower cars
• Auto Lane Change while driving on the highway
• Autopark in both parallel and perpendicular spaces
• Ability to recognize and respond to traffic lights and stop signs
• Automatic driving on city streets

So, with the 2020 Tesla Model 3, you won’t have to worry about having been left behind technology-wise.

Cargo Capacity

The cargo capacity in the Model 3 might not be the best available. It feels rather cramped and can only store one large suitcase along with a medium-sized suitcase. Although, this might be enough storage one would need in a daily driver.

The cupholders in the center console and bottle holders in the door sills provide good utility. 

Models	Tesla Model 3 Sedan long Range	Kia Niro EV	Chevrolet Bolt EV	BMW i3
Cargo space (cubic feet)	15.0	18.5	16.9	15.1

Kia Niro has the most noteworthy cargo storage limit among the competitors, while the Bolt goes with the same pattern. Model 3 has the least significant space as far as cargo storage is concerned.

 

It is rather easy to spot a Tesla anywhere because of its futuristic yet conventional design language. The long headlights on the side with the LED DRLs and the Tesla logo in the center. Telsa has made the graphic representation of the future much more imaginable with the designs that have adopted in all its other vehicles, we don't include the truck in this reference though. 

Model 3 has a rather short snot in front that is accentuated with the long cabin allowing the cabin to be a bit roomier. The 19-inch wheels on the side give the character to its unique outlook. The sloping roofline also gives the car a rather tall seeming rear.

Models	Tesla Model 3 Sedan long Range	Kia Niro EV	Chevrolet Bolt EV	BMW i3
Curb weight (lbs)	3554	3854	3563	2965
Length (in)	184.8	172.2	164.0	158.3
Width (in)	72.8	71.1	69.5	69.9
Height (in)	56.8	61.8	62.8	62.9
Ground clearance (in)	5.5	6.3	N/A	5.2
Wheelbase (in)	113.2	106.3	102.4	101.2

Tesla is the longest car in the line up here giving it much more space in the cabin and it also sits the lowest ensuring good aero capabilities. i3 is the shortest car in this entire line up while the Kia Niro is the heaviest out of line up. 

 

Tesla has been gaining a reputation in terms of safety and reliability with all the cars that they have been manufacturing. NHTSA has rated the Model 3 with 5 out of 5 stars which is the best possible rating. IIHS has also given the Model 3 an overall "G" rating which is again the best rating.

Besides the fact that Tesla has a lot of autonomous safety features to detect traffic and pedestrians with the sensors on-board providing much more safety. The chassis is made with a mix of alloys of Aluminum and Steel for the best achievable structural integrity and rigidity.

Safety Features

• Electronic Stability Control(ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Blind Spot sensor
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure warning
• Airbag occupancy sensor
• Driver and Passenger Knee Airbag
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Outboard Front Lap and shoulder safety Belts- Rear Center 3 Point, Height Adjusters, and pretensioners.
• Tesla Autopilot
• Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Change Assist

 

Tesla Model 3 Sedan long Range vs Chevrolet Bolt

The Tesla Model 3 is a much more spacious and better in terms of performance when compared to the Bolt. The Bolt carries the Chevrolet insignia forward in terms of GM's venture into the electric car segment but fails to impress.

The quality of interiors in the Tesla does surpass the kind of quality used in the Bolt which is very sub-par. But the price segment both the cars are priced at Tesla offers a lot more.

Tesla Model 3 Sedan long Range vs BMW i3

The i3 has a very untuned and uninspiring motor which needs some more work put into it due to the lack of power and performance. The interiors are plush and exude luxury which Tesla fails to do.

If we consider an overall package the Tesla is a better pick in this head to head due to a massive array of features and capabilities. 

 

Tesla cars are an entire experience to own altogether. Not just the performance and drive factor, all Teslas have various easter eggs hidden in their operating system which show the humorous side of Elon Musk and the team. Ranging from Atari games to a heart appearing every time one hugs the Model 3 from behind, the fun factor in the Tesla is limitless.

The reliability and the autonomous features in the car which make it one of the must-have cars in this era. Go for it as there aren't any downsides to owning a Tesla.