Tesla Model 3 Long Range saloon review

Thanks to its skateboard platform - Tesla's battery packs and powertrain form a low foundation that the body sits on - designers have been playful with its packaging. The bonnet and boot are both very short, maximising interior space without making theModel 3 a long car, and giving it comparable legroom to a model in the next class up. Ventilationcomes through a small slot running the length of the dashboard, and even phone storage is hidden behind piano black panels on the centre console. With 362bhp on tap instantly, acceleration from a standing start leaves more expensive machinery trailing, andisn't any less impressive at A road speeds. Image 3 of 14 All this performance is also served up in near silence, with just a faint whine from the electric motors at the front and rear of the car. Aside from this, and some tyre noise at higher speeds, the Model 3 is avery quiet car, making the 14-speaker sound system all the more enjoyable. The extra weight of the 75kWh battery pack means the Model 3 doesn't dive into corners quite as keenly as a BMW 3 Series but a low centre of gravity meansthere's little body lean and grip is plentiful. On the move, the central screen works well, but it's a bit odd Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren't available; Tesla clearly feels its own software covers all bases. It's more intuitive than rival systems, and regular (free) over-the-air updates mean every car is kept current with the latest software improvements. Model 3 owners can also access the Tesla Supercharger network, recently voted the best charging infrastructure in the UK, but they'll need to pay for top-ups. There have been concerns over Tesla build quality in the past but improvements appear to have been made, and our test car felt upmarket, with no squeaks or rattles. The interior's minimal design and the relative simplicity of the electric powertrain should work in Tesla's favour when it comes to future reliability.

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