Tesla Model 3 Highland: Sleeker, Smarter, and Better Than Ever

With more than 1 million examples sold worldwide, the Model 3 is the highest selling EV on the planet and Tesla intends to keep the numbers strong with the refreshed Model 3 called internally as the Highland. Introduced in the UK back in October 2023, the Model 3 now goes on sale in the North American after 3 months wait. The Highland arrives at a time when its rival OEMs are catching up to it. However Tesla aims to widen this gap by setting new benchmarks with major updates to design, aerodynamics, and tech.  

The most visible changes are to its appearance which helps enhance its aerodynamics with Cd value of 0.219, lower compared to the previous 0.225. The reworked front now sports slimmer headlights with LED inserts, a redesigned bumper with a notable absence of fog lamps to boost efficiency, and a redesigned bonnet/hood to direct air away from the windscreen. Although these changes make the car more efficient, it also helps reduce cabin noise due to the more slippery design. Changes to the side profile are minimal to say the least, and the brand-new crab pincer tail lamps with Tesla written above the numberplate. Looks maybe a subjective matter, however the Highland overall looks sleek, and it is a handsome looking car.

On the inside, the dash looks largely familiar with the 15” touchscreen with a thinner bezel sitting in the center albeit with some changes to the steering and more kit. The steering wheel design is new, and houses touch sensitive buttons for the indicators, headlights, wipers, and voice control. Yes, there are no dedicated stalks behind the steering wheel for the three functions above. Touch sensitive buttons offered by other OEMs have proven to be fiddley to use on the move, and it is speculated VW will move back to physical buttons from the current touch sensitive buttons used in its ID Range of electric vehicles. It is worth noting the housing of the left and right indicator buttons on the same side of the steering wheel can be difficult to use on the move as the steering wheel rotates, the buttons swap places and one would have to take their eyes off the road to see where the right button is. The Highland is not the first car to have indicator buttons on the steering wheel, the Ferrari 458 Italia had buttons for the indicators on the steering wheel as well. Another notable absence is of a dedicated gear selector which was a stalk behind the steering wheel in the previous car and now has been moved to the screen. Moreover the Model 3 has the ability to select the right gear based on its surroundings. If it senses an obstacle in front when the car is perpendicularly parked the car will select reverse automatically, and drive when there is an obstacle at the back. It remains to be seen how the car works in a parallel parking situation. Apart from new tech, there is a new fabric insert on the dash in place of the wooden trim which can be customized for different colors. The AC vents span across the width of the dash like the previous car, and the difference from the older car is the ability to direct air in multiple directions at the same time and be able to close the vents as well.

Another noticeable update is the addition of an ambient light strip running from the rear to the front, and across the dashboard which is customizable via the 15” touchscreen. It is a neat touch that helps to enhance its premium quotient. Moving to the rear, the backrest has been adjusted for better comfort, and there is a new 9” touchscreen at the rear for HVAC controls plus one can watch movies on Netflix and videos on Youtube on the move. Tesla promises better cabin insulation with the addition of double-glazed windows which Tesla claims makes the backseat experience more pampering with 25% lower in addition to the reworked suspension with upgraded bushings to improve the ride quality at the rear. Speaking of sound, the Highland gets a new 17 speaker stereo, up from the previous 14 speakers for an immersive sound experience and a better bass. Plus the car now gets two microphones to improve call quality, which was never a problem and has made call quality better.  Additionally the Highland can sense the occupants’ body temperature and select seat cooling or heating for its occupants which is a segment first. Speaking of seats, the seats’ tapestry now get perforation and continues to be vegan leather.

As for the battery pack, it continues to be the same for both the Standard Range (SR), and Dual Motor Long Range (LR) versions which are 60kWh and 85kWh, gross capacity respectively. A notable absence is the Performance version, there is no word official word about its introduction later or its discontinuation and it remains to be seen whether Tesla will reintroduce it in the near future. The range of both versions are up on the WLTP cycle which is credited by the improved aerodynamics, the range on the SR is up from the current 272 miles (438 km) to 333 miles (536 km) and from 333 miles (536 km) to 421 miles (678 km) for the LR. However the EPA rated range for the Standard Range version remains the same at 272 miles, and the Long Range version sees a bump of 8 miles to now 341 miles in the US. To maximize range and efficiency, Tesla has reduced the top speed from the previous 145 mph to 120 mph and have added comfort-oriented tires which maybe an unwelcome change for the enthusiasts, however for practical purposes, it does not make a difference. The battery chemistry continues to remain the same as well with LFP cells for the SR and NMC for the LR; consequently the charging speeds for Level 3 DC fast charging are 170kW peak for the SR and 250kW peak for the LR version. The website does not state the new 0-80% DC fast charging times, or any details pertaining to the Level-2 charging. Although it maybe reasonable to presume level-2 AC fast charging capabilities with a 7.6kW on-board charger for the SR model, and an 11.5kW for LR version given the battery pack remains the same from the previous car.   

Was Highland worth the wait? Absolutely it takes the game forward and continues to be the best value EV on sale today by setting new benchmarks in tech and a slightly improved range in the LR. The prices start from $38,990 for the SR going up to $45,990 for the LR with the $7,500 tax credit included in the price. It comes with a competitive price tag compared to its primary competitor, the Hyundai Ioniq 6, which commands a $4000 premium. Yet to grace its lineup is the Performance version, leaving us in eager anticipation to discover if Tesla has plans to reintroduce it. The Model 3 propelled Tesla beyond its origins as a niche car manufacturer to the forefront of mainstream recognition, and the Highland aspires to solidify its status as a legacy OEM. It remains to be seen what new sales benchmark Tesla will set with the Highland. 

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