Tesla Model 3 test drive in the Highlands: A crucial upgrade?

Tesla Model 3: Highland update review

Tesla Model 3 is the car that led the electric car revolution. The Model S and X made electric cars desirable, while the Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe showed that they could be common everyday transportation. But the Model 3 opened the door to the mass car market like nothing before. However, the Model Y eclipses the Model 3, which has only received a minor update in 2021 since its launch in 2017. Now we have the long-awaited Highland update. It's a much more significant change, but will it be enough to bring the Model 3 back into the spotlight? I tested the new car in action.

Design

The most obvious change to the Highland is the simplification of the front end. Narrower headlights and a sharper nose''give the front of the car a modern look and prevent it from looking like a frog. Matrix mode headlights have been around for a few years now, but Tesla has yet to introduce similar technology like Volkswagen's, which only allows light to be delivered to the part that blinds oncoming cars. Such technology is already allowed in the US, so it's surprising that Tesla hasn't released its version yet. Highland is the biggest update to the Tesla Model 3 since its launch. The rear light cluster has also been redesigned, although this is less obvious than the new front end. Where the lights used to be split between the tailgate and the rear, they are now just on the tailgate and rise with it. However, this does create a sharp angle at head level where there used to be''rounded edge. But the new rear looks better. The 18-inch rims have been redesigned with covers you might be less interested in. There are also two new colors, Ultra Red and Stealth Grey. The red that the car I rented was painted with is particularly attractive. However, these new colors will vary depending on where they are produced. The cars for the UK are currently manufactured in China. Different paint options will be available from Germany and the US when Highland starts shipping from those factories.

Interior

The interior improvements are mostly unnoticeable, with the exception of a light strip that frames the top of the dashboard and runs across the doors. The color of this strip can be easily changed through the menu. Seats''You don't have the option of a ring helm (yet), and the helm is virtually identical to the Plaid non-ring model, but with a slightly different button layout. Another interesting element in the rear is the 8-inch LCD panel, which was also borrowed from the new Model S. It offers a lot of useful features for the rear seat. First, rear seat passengers can now control their own air conditioning. They can also turn their seat heating on and off. There's even an option to slide the front passenger seat forward so the backseat passenger has more room. Another cool feature is the rear passengers have their own access to the infotainment system so they can control''playing music and radio. They can also watch videos on Netflix, Disney+, Twitch, and YouTube, although the perception of images on a screen that is at knee level can cause motion sickness.

Luggage space and range

With the exception of the redesigned rear end, luggage space in the back is the same as before. The Model 3 is still not a hatchback - something Tesla has retained for the Model Y. This reduces the usefulness of the Model 3's huge luggage space, offering 594 liters including a large compartment under the floor (larger than most family hatchbacks) and 88 liters in the frunk.

Problems

It's finally time to address a few of the Highland's major problems. First, the lack of a steering rack. Now you have to use buttons to turn on the turn indicators. After riding both the Plaid and the Highland with''There is also no lever to select the drive mode. Again, as in the new Tesla Model S, this action is now done via a touch-sensitive slider on the edge of the LCD panel. You top slide forward, bottom for reverse, and there are buttons at the top for parking and bottom for neutral. Again, it's not a bad system, but it's not as intuitive as the lever. Now, without the lever, you'll have to push the right wheel to engage Autopilot, and the voice control moves to a separate button on the steering wheel. Speaking of Autopilot and other safety features, we run into another big problem: camera dependency. If you look closely at pictures of the Highland, you'll see a smooth finish with no small disks associated with'with ultrasonic sensors. This car doesn't have them. There is also no radar. Highland is supposed to get new high-end radar, but for now it relies entirely on cameras. There have been a lot of complaints about Tesla Vision in the Model 3 2021 update. I had no issues with Autopilot or accurately estimating distances when parking while testing the Highland, but many owners had issues with the previous version relying entirely on cameras.

Prices

Highland was supposed to be the first car with version 4 hardware, with higher quality cameras, 12 instead of 9, faster computing and HD radar. But the car I drove showed no signs of having these upgrades, although the camera images looked sharper. It had''full self-driving, but that doesn't include Autopark, Summon or Smart Summon yet because Tesla hasn't made them camera-only yet. These are reasons that may discourage you from buying this car with enhanced autopilot or full self-driving. But they're not reasons not to buy this car at all. The rear-wheel drive version costs £39,990 ($50,800) in the UK and €42,990 in Europe. The high-mileage car costs £49,990 ($63,500) in the UK and €51,990 in Europe. Prices for the U.S. have not yet been announced, but we can assume they will be lower. Either way, it's still a competitive price compared to electric cars with similar capabilities.

The lack of a steering rack may put some people off.''Previous Tesla owners may also feel that complete reliance on cameras has led to a retreat in technology. But it's still an incredibly practical car with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. It has great driving dynamics, incredible mileage, and a Tesla Supercharger network that enhances its long-distance capabilities. The Highland update has put the Model 3 back on the map, at least until Tesla unveils similar updates for the Model Y.