2021 Tesla Model 3 electric

The Model 3 comes in the same three-trim layout that we have observed over the years, namely the Standard Range Plus, the Long Range, and the Performance. All the trims are more or less self-explanatory, the base Standard Range Plus has an RWD Drivetrain, standard performance, simulated leather upholstery, and much more. Whereas, the Long Range trim adds an AWD drivetrain along with increasing the range of the Model 3. The Performance trim on the other hand takes a hit on the range but boosts the performance of the Model 3 considerably taking it from a 0 to 60 acceleration in just 5.3 seconds and cutting that number to just 3.1 seconds. All the trims are designed for practicality and sustainability as well along with being efficient to the core. 

The trim layout is comprehensive and features a complete package within itself and each trim has a specific area where it shines. The Long Range trim adds better range and quicker charging along with an AWD drivetrain which is a good addition for adverse driving conditions and the Performance trim adds more sport-oriented performance and design upgrades which give the Model 3 a sportier look and handling. The Full Self-Driving Capability option is also available on all trims and it adds handy driver assistance aids and will be receiving updates for fully automated driving soon enough. The package option includes- 

Full Self-Driving Capability option

• Automated parking
• Autonomous lane change by changing the turn signals

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Choosing between the trims falls largely under what you are looking for, however, we would recommend the Standard Range Plus for daily driving in city conditions as it has a respectable range, many premium interior features, and a beautiful panoramic glass roof. The quicker charging and longer range on the Long-range trim are also added benefits along with an AWD drivetrain that would help the car achieve better traction in challenging weather. The top-of-line Performance trim is also a viable option for people who want extra power and a sportier design along with extra bragging rights. 

Release date 

The official release date of the 2021 Tesla Model 3 is July 28 of 2021 and the Model 3 is available at dealers around you. 

The performance of the Tesla Model 3 will rely on the trim you choose, the base trim comes with a Single Electric motor capable of pushing 271 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque which gives it a brisk acceleration going from 0 to 60 in just 5.3 seconds. The RWD drivetrain and the single-speed automatic transmission also help the Model 3 achieve high speeds without breaking a sweat. The top-tier Performance trim comes with an AWD drivetrain much like the Long Range trim but it also adds a Dual Electric motor setup which gives the Model 3 an incredibly powerful 455 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque cutting the acceleration time by a full 2.2 seconds and making it go from 0 to 60 in just 3.1 seconds which is class-leading performance characteristic of Tesla. 

The Tesla Model 3 reigns supreme when it comes to performance as it has the quickest acceleration and the highest top speed among its competitors. It also produces the most horsepower and for that, it is priced higher than the competition. The Ford Mustang Mach-E comes second with respectable acceleration and a decent top speed when compared to the Model 3. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric, on the other hand, feels sluggish and underpowered when compared to its rivals with low acceleration and top speed. Overall, the Tesla Model 3 beats the competition easily with its performance even at its base trim. 

2021 Tesla Model 3 Ride and Handling 

The ride and handling on the 2021 Tesla Model 3 are just as smooth and powerful as you would expect. It has smooth acceleration and no engine or cabin noise to speak of, along with nimble and agile driving dynamics due to its RWD drivetrain. The car remains composed through quick turns and remains sporty with intuitive steering. We did notice that the tires aren’t the best on the Model 3 but they do their job well and daily driving is seldom hampered by them. The longer range trim handles much like the base trim but the Performance trim is a whole lot more powerful and the acceleration makes us feel like it's an entirely different car with its sport suspensions and more. The ride on the Model 3 is comfortable and less jittery than most of its competitors because of its stiff suspension that eliminates potholes and speed bumps alike. 

2021 Tesla Model 3 Braking Performance 

The Model 3 has a curb weight of 3648 lbs which is on the lower end when compared to other cars in this segment, which helps its braking power. Furthermore, the 12.6-inch front brake rotors and the 13.2-inch rear brake rotors make a world of difference when it comes to the braking action which feels grippy and powerful. The brake pedals feel light and precise which makes braking easy and comfortable and the braking action is quick and predictable. In standard testing by Tesla, the Model 3 had an average braking performance of 133 feet when stopping from 60 to 0 which isn’t the best but definitely isn’t a bad score. 

The Ford Mustang Mach-E makes a big difference with its bigger front brake rotors to compensate for the highest curb weight among its competitors and has the smallest braking distance and the most powerful braking action. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric on the other hand relies on its lower curb weight as it has the smallest rotors among its peers and has above-average braking power and low braking distance. The Tesla Model 3, despite having the biggest brake rotors in the rear, has the longest braking distance among its competition due to its smaller brake rotors in the front and the slightly higher curb weight. 

Fuel efficiency also largely relies on the trim layout as the base Model 3 has an astonishing EPA estimated fuel efficiency equivalent to 150 MPGe in the city and 133 MPGe on the highway for a combined fuel efficiency of 142 MPGe. The AWD variants take a slight hit and come out with 141 MPGe in the city and 127 MPGe on the highway for a combined fuel efficiency of 134 MPGe. With a 50 kWh battery, the base trim returns a range of 263 miles while the Long Range trim incorporates a bigger 82 kWh battery and boosts the driving range to 353 miles. The performance trim on the other hand takes a slight hit to the range at 315 miles and trades it for better performance.

The Tesla Model 3 takes the top spot once again with the best-estimated MPGe figures paired with a decently sized battery for the best range among the competition. The Ford Mustang Mach-E may have the biggest battery capacity but it lacks higher fuel efficiency which hinders its driving range. Quite the opposite is the case with the Hyundai Ioniq Electric which has above-average efficiency but lacks the battery capacity to make a big difference and has the lowest range among its peers which is a shame as it had the potential to beat the Mustang Mach-E in terms of range. 

The interior of the Tesla Model 3 is astonishingly minimalistic with a simple design that is both comfortable and classy with various storage spaces and a boatload of tech under it. The seats have heating and simulated leather upholstery and feel premium and comfortable to sit on for extended periods of time. The top-end trim has aluminum pedals which give the car an incredibly sophisticated look as well. The dashboard has no clutter to speak of, it has a beautiful wooden trim going across it which gives it a pleasant look, a big touchscreen, and the tri-spoke steering wheel with the Tesla logo that suits the dashboard. The interior feels roomy with a spacious cargo compartment both at the front and the back along with wide viewing angles and a dual-tone finish that gives the interior a more refined look. 

Keeping in mind that the Ford Mustang Mach-E is an SUV, it has the most spacious interior along with the most spacious cargo compartment. The Tesla Model 3 and the Hyundai Ioniq Electric have very small advantages over each other in the interior department. Where the Model 3 has a slightly bigger legroom in the front row and a bigger headroom overall, the Ioniq Electric has a bigger rear row legroom and shoulder room along with a bigger cargo compartment as it is a hatchback. The Model 3 also has an above-average trunk space which is higher than most sedans its size.

Some of the standout interior features of the 2021 Tesla Model 3 include:- 

• Simulated leather upholstery 
• Heated front and rear seats 
• Heated steering wheel 
• Bucket front seats
• Advanced Climate Controls
• Power adjustable front seats
• Wooden interior trim 

2021 Tesla Model 3 Infotainment System 

One of the most eye-catching features of the 2021 Tesla Model 3 is the 15-inch touchscreen display that sits at the center of the dashboard. It is equipped with real-time Google Maps data and Autopilot traffic-aware cruise and a wide array of internet streaming services. The UI is easy to use and information is neatly displayed but we did have an issue with the infotainment display taking center stage and doing everything which could be distracting for many. Standard features like Navigation, Bluetooth, and 4 USB-C ports are all present along with dual wireless smartphone chargers just below the infotainment screen for easy charging. Surprisingly, there is no AM radio or SiriusXM satellite radio which is made up for by the streaming services. This system is paired with a 15-speaker premium sound system on higher trims with crisp audio and rich bass which makes the car perfect for multimedia consumption.

Some of the standout features in the 2021 Tesla Model 3’s infotainment system are:- 

• 15-inch touchscreen
• Integrated navigation system 
• 15-speaker premium sound system
• 2 wireless charging ports 
• Bluetooth connectivity 
• Content streaming 

The exterior of the 2021 Tesla Model 3 is much like its interior, simplistic in design and unassuming gives it a wider appeal. The front features an automatically opening front trunk as there is no engine and expands the Model 3’s storage space along with giving the front a unique look paired with its expansive LED headlights which pan across the front and to the sides of the car, the front bumper is curvy and gives the front fascia a smart and sleek look. The sides feature sleek exterior accents and a glass roof for added visibility which gives the Model 3 a modern and minimalistic look. The back is sporty with LED tail lights and sleek and curvy accents extending to it and giving it a simple yet classy appearance. The wide body of the Model 3 is full of curves and bends which gives it a more refined look. All this sits on the 18’’ Aero Wheels by default with the option to upgrade to 19’’ Sport Wheels.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E, being an SUV has the biggest exterior with the longest wheelbase and the highest curb weight. It is followed by the Tesla Model 3 which has the lowest ground clearance and the lowest height among the competitors which gives it its characteristic hunkered-down appearance and design. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is the smallest among its peers with the highest ground clearance along with the lowest curb weight. Overall, the Model 3 may not be the biggest but it has a spacious cabin and intelligent storage spaces to make every single inch inside the car count.

Some of the standout exterior features of the 2023 Tesla Model 3 include:- 

• Tinted glass roof with ultraviolet and infrared protection
• Panoramic glass roof
• LED fog lamps
• LED headlights and tail lights 
• 18/19-inch wheels 
• Extra storage space in the front 

The new Tesla Model 3 comes equipped with a lot of safety and driver assistance features including Autopark and Summon which are features that help the owner to park the machine automatically and also bring the vehicle to the user automatically. The Tesla Model 3 also gets the absolute best safety ratings from both NHTSA as well as IIHS. The safety ratings consist of 5-star ratings under all parameters from NHTSA and the Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS. This assures that the 2021 Tesla Model 3 is an amazingly safe machine and one of the safest vehicles in the world. The following are some of its standout safety features-

• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Front collision warning
• Side collision warning
• Emergency lane departure avoidance and correction
• Obstacle aware acceleration
• Cabin Overheat Protection

2021 Tesla Model 3 VS 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Ford Mustang Mach-E carries the legendary Mustang name with pride as it goes toe to toe against the Tesla Model 3. However, the Tesla Model 3 beats it by a small margin as it has quicker acceleration, a higher top speed, a more powerful electric motor, a lighter build, a more fuel-efficient drivetrain, a larger driving range, and a lower ground clearance. Whereas, the Mustang Mach-E excels with its cheaper asking price, quicker braking action, a more powerful battery pack but low range due to low fuel efficiency, a more spacious interior, a greater cargo capacity, and a longer wheelbase. 

2021 Tesla Model 3 VS 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Although relatively established in the conventional gas-powered sector, the EV scene has been a steep learning curve for Hyundai. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is good at what it does but not good enough to beat the industry-leading Tesla Model 3 at its own game, with its cheaper asking price, quicker braking action, and lighter build. The Model 3 absolutely decimates the Ioniq Electric with its quicker acceleration, higher top speed, better fuel efficiency, and bigger battery pack leading to a longer driving range, a more spacious interior and a greater cargo capacity, a higher ground clearance, and a longer wheelbase. 

We would wholeheartedly recommend the 2021 Tesla Model 3 as it remains undefeated across the board no matter how you judge it. The Model 3’s trim layout suits the broad variety of users that might have its need and the higher-end Performance trim is an absolute beast when it comes to acceleration and power whereas the mid-range Long-range trim has stable handling dynamics and a longer driving range. The base trim itself is an entry-level attachment that doesn’t feel entry-level with all the features and cutting-edge tech it comes with. Tesla has blown the competition away with its easy handling, comfortable ride, and unmatched performance that comes with the entry-level Model 3. The sedan remains undefeated as a testament to what Tesla vehicles are capable of even at their lowest. Autosteer and fully self-driving capability is also something we would be looking out for as other manufacturers would need years if not a decade to catch up to the technology that Tesla claims to harness.