The Model 3 is Tesla’s cash cow. It represents what Tesla can offer to the masses for what they deem a reasonable price. Many car buyers agree, and these vehicles have sold insanely well. At the beginning of the Model 3's production, things weren’t going particularly well. So much so that Tesla CEO Elon Musk called it a “production hell.” Thankfully we are beyond that and Model 3s are readily available.
For the past three or so years, the Model 3 has had a lot of time in the spotlight. But other automakers – especially legacy automakers want to challenge the idea that the Model 3 is the best option for an affordable EV.
There are a lot of things that Tesla and the Model 3 do very well. But now, the rest of the automotive industry is trying to find each and every weak spot Tesla might have. With all the new competition either on the market or coming very soon to market, the 2021 Model 3 needs to provide a good case of why it is still relevant.
Here’s where the 2021 Model 3 still reigns supreme and where it falls short of its competitors.
What The Model 3 Does Right
Only Tesla could make a sedan that’s roughly the size and form factor as a Honda Civic cool today. Normally vehicles like these do not create nearly as much buzz, let alone excitement, as this vehicle has. This is probably the main appeal of a Model 3 – it’s just cool. It’s like an iPhone that you can drive.
The cutting-edge tech makes driving this vehicle a breeze. Most Model 3s are equipped with Tesla’s semi-autonomous driving system called Autopilot. This system has, in a lot of ways, paved the path to self-driving vehicles despite controversy that comes up occasionally. Features with Autopilot include automatic lane changes and even summoning your vehicle from a parking spot – both of which cannot be found on some other EVs on the market.
The Model 3 capitalizes on the crazy power that a battery pack and a couple electric motors can provide. There are options for both single and dual motor setups, but the dual motor performance version is what stands out among the competition. This version can rocket from 0-60 mph in only 3.1 seconds. That puts the Model 3 above competitors such as the Ford Mustang Mach-e GT and some iterations of the more expensive Porsche Taycan.
One of the most frustrating with owning and driving an electric vehicle is the charging experience. If you are not charging your vehicle at home, it can be a major headache to find where a charging station is. Not to mention that it can take a significant amount of time to charge as well.
But when owning a 2021 Model 3, this gets a little easier with access to Tesla’s supercharging network. These fast chargers are easy to find in populated areas and along major highways. This makes the Model 3 a more viable option over the competition when driving long distances and or for just charging on the go.
Where The Model 3 Is Falling Behind
It was easier to forgive the Model 3 of its shortcomings when it was only one of a few options on the market. But customers can be pickier now that there is a great deal of electric vehicles on the market.
In general, one of the potentially biggest drawbacks of the Model 3 is that it is not a crossover. Many other automakers are only making EV crossovers because that is what the market wants. Yes, there is the Model Y which is practically a crossover version of the Model 3, but it costs noticeably more than the 3. Competitors like Toyota and Subaru are offering crossovers with more space and still an attractive price.
Overall, Tesla offers nice and simple designs but can be plagued with quality issues. Commonly you’ll see pieces that don’t appear to fit together well or imperfections in the paint. Today this is not the case with most other new vehicles. For the same price range, someone could get a Polestar 2 and not have to worry about many potential quality issues.
Tesla will most likely always have a loyal following. That means there’ll always be those that love and buy the Model 3. But for those on the fence about getting a Model 3 or another EV, there’s a lot out there that gives the 2021 Model 3 a run for its money. There isn’t much to hate about the 3’s stellar performance or its clean looks. There’s just a lot to love about plenty of other electric vehicles on the market. Regardless we won’t blame you for buying a Model 3. Not many vehicles can match the clout of a Tesla.