Tesla unveiled its latest, the Tesla Model 3 Highland, on Friday September 1, 2023, thus breaking a suspense of several weeks punctuated by many rumors. The American automaker has replaced the old model with the new one on its orders page, with the first deliveries scheduled for next October. We were thus able to note the main changes between the two versions in a dedicated paper.
This was only the first stage of the communication skilfully orchestrated by the brand, since grips were published in stride: Tesla took a few happy journalists and other youtubers to Norway to discover the famous restyled model, also known in internally as the Highland project. Getting started in video format were published on Saturday September 2 on YouTube, the opportunity to get a first idea of the behavior of this new Tesla Model 3.
In France, Automobile Propre was the first automotive media to be able to climb into the cockpit of the restyled sedan, as well as the youtubeur Jojol. In the UK, it was Carwow who was granted this favor. There is also the Dutch AutoTopNL. But other sites were able to take advantage of this ride organized by the brand to get a first idea. The grips took place on Long Autonomy models, and all the testers were able to drive beforehand on board an old model, just to be able to better detect the differences between old and new generations.
More comfortable and quieter
So what to remember from these different video hands-on? The first (and main) lesson concerns the general appearance of the car. The finishes are much better than on the previous model and a move upmarket is noticeable, bringing this newcomer closer to the Model S, with improved comfort and revised and corrected lines inside. The softer materials used here offer notably better acoustics.
The second lesson precisely concerns the sound signature of the restyled Model 3. Everyone agrees that the new model is better soundproofed than the previous one. Carwow even conducted a test with a sound level meter, concluding that there are fewer decibels (3dB to be precise) in the cockpit than in its predecessor. The general opinion is that rolling noise is better, and laminated glazing provides better insulation from the outside environment. However, AutoTopNL has some reservations on the motorway, with noise pollution still too high.
Comfort has also been improved thanks to less firm suspensions, which is felt both front and rear.
Another point to note, the absence of stalks, which means that the driver will have to manage the starting of the vehicle via the central screen, as in the Model S. Ditto for the stalk of the indicators, replaced by tactile buttons with haptic feedback arranged on the steering wheel.
Apart from that, the Tesla Model 3 remains the benchmark in terms of performance/consumption/autonomy ratio with fairly low consumption recorded during this little Norwegian trip.
The big regret, in the general opinion of the testers, is the absence of a screen return facing the driver in order to see his speed without having to turn his head towards the central screen.
Tesla has allowed a few lucky people to do a few laps with the new Model 3. We will be sure to carry out an in-house test on Digital as soon as the brand gives access to test models in France.