Tesla Model 3 Highland –A Current Owner’s Perspective
By Edward A. Sanchez — Sept. 1, 2023
The Tesla Model 3 has received its first comprehensive update since its introduction in late 2017, although numerous running changes have been made since its introduction. A critical and symbolic milestone for the company when introduced, the Model 3 has taken a distant back seat to its crossover sibling, the Model Y, in terms of sales volume and relative importance to the brand and its global growth.
That’s not to say that a new Model 3 isn’t a big deal. Despite many brands effectively dropping conventional sedans from their product lineup altogether, there remains a market for the quintessential “company man” car. While many technical, pricing, and other details are yet to be revealed, the “Highland” update brings many premium features to Tesla’s current entry-level model, giving it some of the premium features seen in the Model S and X.
Unsurprisingly, the turn signal and shifter stalks are eliminated in favor of a touchscreen drive mode selector and steering-wheel mounted controls for signals, wipers, etc. I’m somewhat ambivalent about this change because the current setup is intuitive and second-nature. I’m sure, in time, the new design will be as well.
The new Tesla Model 3 will cut through the air slightly better than the previous model, sporting a .219 coefficient of drag.
Addressing complaints from owners in hot climates, the front seats finally have a ventilation function with perforated center upholstery. The rear seat area gets its own touchscreen display, giving rear seat passengers access to their own HVAC and infotainment controls. The sound system adds an additional three speakers for a total of 17. Trunk capacity gets an incremental improvement from 19.8 to 20.1 cubic feet.
The interior of the new Model 3 will take cues from the Model S, eliminating the turn signal and shifter stalks.
From a functional standpoint, the refreshed Model 3 gets an incremental improvement in drag coefficient, going from .225 to .219, making for a claimed range improvement of 5%-8%. While EPA figures have not been announced, WLTP range is rated at 344 miles for the rear-drive model, and 421 miles for the long-range model.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in October for left-hand-drive European and Middle Eastern markets. Deliveries for other markets and variations will be announced at a later date.
If you’ve followed The Watt Car for any length of time, you may know I own a 2019 Model 3 SR+. Does this refresh make me want to immediately trade in my current car for the new one? Not really. Not that I don’t think it’s a noteworthy and worthwhile update, but I’m generally content with the performance and functionality of my current car.
The rumored future Tesla Model that could get me to consider a trade-in would be is the so-called “Model 2” or B- or C-segment hatchback. The fact that the Model 3 did not get a liftback like the Model S was one of the biggest disappointments for me when I watched its reveal. The decision was understandable at the time, considering the focus on cost-cutting, and made more sense when the Model Y was revealed, which for all intents and purposes is a taller, larger Model 3 hatchback.
While the Model Y is not a crushing, towering behemoth in the vein of the Hummer EV, or even as large as a Rivian R1S, I simply don’t have a need or desire for something that big. I would be happy with a VW Golf-sized hatchback with similar performance, range, and features to my Model 3. Hopefully more details on this model will be coming soon.
(Images courtesy Tesla)
