2018 Tesla Model 3

2018 Model 3 Photos
Not many cars have had as hard a road to traverse getting into the marketplace as Tesla's Model 3. Developed as a mass-market alternative to the bigger, costly Model S electric sedan, the battery-powered Model 3 has undergone a series of production obstacles.

Production began during 2017. Several hundred thousand prospective buyers plunked down a $1,000 deposit. As of June 2018, though, fewer than 31,000 have been manufactured, according to Bloomberg. Though production has been growing, that's still far short of Tesla's goal: producing 5,000 cars per week.

Four versions have been announced. The Long Range model promises an EPA-estimated range of 310 miles, while the base version is rated at 220 miles. Coming later is an all-wheel-drive version. A performance variant also will include all-wheel drive.

A 192-kilowatt (258-horsepower) electric motor drives the rear wheels. The two versions use battery packs of different capacities. Tesla has declined to provide battery capacity figures, but they've been estimated at 50 kilowatt-hours for the base model and 75 kWh for the Long Range version.

Build quality of early examples has been variable. Many owners report no discernible problems, but others have been plagued by issues. Our own test Model 3 handily qualified as dreadful.

Tesla's Model S and Model X have earned good crash-test ratings, but the Model 3 has not yet been tested. Automatic emergency braking is standard. Adaptive cruise control is available only with the $5,000 Autopilot package, which also includes blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, active lane control, and automatic headlights.

Despite the glaring quality concerns, Tesla is gradually delivering on its promise of a moderately-priced model. As of mid-2018, only the higher-cost Long Range model was available. Tesla advises that anyone seeking the $35,000 base model should expect to wait 6 to 12 months. For all-wheel drive and Performance models, the wait is 6 to 9 months. Even for the rear-drive Long Range model, buyers can expect a 4-6 month delay for delivery.

Production has not yet reached, or even approached, Tesla's lofty goal. Still, in the first five months of 2018, an estimated 19,000 have been delivered to customers. During that same period, Bloomberg estimates that more than 30,000 were built.
Full Review

Not many cars have had as hard a road to traverse getting into the marketplace as Tesla's Model 3. Developed as a mass-market alternative to the bigger, costly Model S electric sedan, the battery-powered Model 3 has undergone a series of production obstacles.

Production began during 2017. Several hundred thousand prospective buyers plunked down a $1,000 deposit. As of June 2018, though, fewer than 31,000 have been manufactured, according to Bloomberg. Though production has been growing, that's still far short of Tesla's goal: producing 5,000 cars per week.

Four versions have been announced. The Long Range model promises an EPA-estimated range of 310 miles, while the base version is rated at 220 miles. Coming later is an all-wheel-drive version. A performance variant also will include all-wheel drive.

A 192-kilowatt (258-horsepower) electric motor drives the rear wheels. The two versions use battery packs of different capacities. Tesla has declined to provide battery capacity figures, but they've been estimated at 50 kilowatt-hours for the base model and 75 kWh for the Long Range version.

Build quality of early examples has been variable. Many owners report no discernible problems, but others have been plagued by issues. Our own test Model 3 handily qualified as dreadful.

Tesla's Model S and Model X have earned good crash-test ratings, but the Model 3 has not yet been tested. Automatic emergency braking is standard. Adaptive cruise control is available only with the $5,000 Autopilot package, which also includes blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, active lane control, and automatic headlights.

Despite the glaring quality concerns, Tesla is gradually delivering on its promise of a moderately-priced model. As of mid-2018, only the higher-cost Long Range model was available. Tesla advises that anyone seeking the $35,000 base model should expect to wait 6 to 12 months. For all-wheel drive and Performance models, the wait is 6 to 9 months. Even for the rear-drive Long Range model, buyers can expect a 4-6 month delay for delivery.

Production has not yet reached, or even approached, Tesla's lofty goal. Still, in the first five months of 2018, an estimated 19,000 have been delivered to customers. During that same period, Bloomberg estimates that more than 30,000 were built.
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Retail Price

$46,000 - $64,000 MSRP / Window Sticker Price
Engine
MPG 136 City / 123 Hwy
Seating 5 Passengers
Transmission 1-spd auto
Power 271 @ rpm
Drivetrain rear-wheel
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