I drive an Audi A7, tested a Tesla Model 3 and ... I'll wait a little longer [Czytelnik lotnik1976, part 2/2]

And here is the second part of our reader's adventure with Tesla Model 3. We will talk about autopilot, and about loading, and about the quality of performance, and about the final decision. Which fell, but as if it hadn't collapsed yet.

Part one can be found here:

> I am the same age, I drive an Audi A7, tested a Tesla Model 3 and ... here are my impressions [Czytelnik lotnik1976, part 1/2]

The following story is an email from Reader in which our input was limited to adding titles, subtitles, arrangement, and minor text edits. However, we do not use italics for readability.

Autopilot = helper, not a hindrance

Autopilot was probably the biggest surprise that happened to me when I came in contact with the Model 3. I used to think it was not a very important function, because I tested the assistance systems in Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagen and personally associated them with distractions, not with assistants. Besides I love to drive, I think I do it well, so I treated all questions related to the autopilot as a curiosity..

Wrong.

On the second day, returning to the owner of the car, I decided to try if Tesla could go alone and find his home 😉 After a few kilometers of driving, I still could not help but wonder how perfect Tesla's autopilot is. I know that this system is far from completely autonomous, but even at this stage it is like day and night compared to solutions from other manufacturers.

> Ford: 42 percent of Americans think electric cars still need gas

Overcoming fear, driving on autopilot takes us to another dimension. It just becomes ... convenient. At highway speed, the system asked for interaction quite often, but you only need to hold the steering wheel slightly to the next kilometers the car swallowed almost on its own... I regretted that I didn't have more time, because when I got used to autopilot, I wanted to test the navigation function on autopilot ...

Navigation on autopilot (blue screen button) (c) Tesla, illustrated photo

Bottom line: WOW.

Landing

Since I had a car, I also wanted to check the connection with Supercharger. I introduced the Supercharger as a navigation target and Tesla immediately began the process of preparing the battery for charging - a small thing, but nice 🙂 When I arrived, four of the eight stations were occupied (only for S models). Charging was quick and easy, but since the battery was almost full [the limit was set to 80 percent - editorial reminder www.elektrowoz.pl], the maximum output was about 60 kW.

Tesla Model 3 approaches Supercharger (c) Tesla, illustrative photo

In general, I paid 80 euros for 3,63 kilometers. In Audi it will be about 12 euros 🙂

Tesla Model 3 -> Audi A7

The day with the Tesla Model 3 was drawing to a close. The car drove with me about 300 kilometers, during which it traveled both slowly (Tempo 30) and very fast on the German highway. After a short procedure of returning the car ("How was it? Is everything all right?") I got into my A7 and drove home. It was an interesting experience, I had the opportunity to compare almost directly two completely different cars on the same route.

Generally Driving performance is a plus for the Model 3.... At almost 2 tonnes, the V6 in Audi does it, but as it turns out, it's not crazy. Tesla is a little lighter, and the way the car accelerates and moves, subjectively I am more satisfied. Although I only tested the autopilot on the way back, in the Audi I missed double-clicking the lever on the right side of the steering wheel ... Big change, isn't it?

By the way: I used the brake four times during my Tesla adventure. I know this sounds incredible. 🙂

Is there a big difference between my A7 and Model 3 configuration? The answer may be unexpected: it is not. These are similar cars that offer comparable comfort, sound insulation, dynamics (taking into account the aforementioned differences). It seems to me that this is a good reference, because the Audi A7 is a car that is at least ten percent more expensive at the beginning.

And so we came to ...

Tar spoons, that is, execution

I've read a lot about Tesla build quality. That this is a typical American car, that the plates are not stacked, that it is loud, that it falls, that it rusts ... Unfortunately, my experience with showrooms and the Tesla Model 3 described here shows that there is something in it. To be clear, the Model 3 is a great product, it has just about everything to keep a smile on the faces of the driver and passengers.

However, the quality of the materials "only" on the shelf is average. I would compare it to Toyota or French brands (or others with the letter "f"). The plastic is so-so, the cover under the skin is pleasant to the touch, but the softness of the chairs is strange. Of course, these are very subjective feelings.

Tesla Model 3 in matt black plywood (c) humbug / Twitter, illustrative photo

There were no particular shortcomings in the build quality, everything was quite smooth. However, every (sic!) Model 3 I've seen has had a door seal problem. Especially from behind. They somehow wrinkle strangely - something that will not pass into the quality control department of any automobile concern.

I don’t know if it’s a matter of the feed used or the profile, in general it doesn’t look very good. Especially when we are talking about a car that costs about a quarter of a million zlotys.

Summary? I will wait a little bit more

After cooling off and a few evenings of reflection, I can say that one day Tesla will visit the house, but ... I'll wait for what the competitors show in the near future. In the coming months, there will be a couple of market premieres that could be an interesting alternative to Tesla: Polestar 2, Volkswagen [ID.4], ...

I still haven't changed my mind: the package that Tesla offers is very interesting. If I went back in time and compared the Model 3 to one of my previous cars (Saab 9-3, Opel Insignia, VW Passat, Toyota Avensis or Fiat 125p), the decision would be immediate and undeniable. While Replacing the Audi A7 with the Tesla Model 3 is an advance in terms of performance and enjoyment, but rather a regression in terms of quality and materials used..

Audi A7 of our reader (c) lotnik1976

Tesla is amazing as a product. J.as a car manufacturer in a more traditional sense - an average... So unless the aforementioned competitors offer something "WOW", Tesla will be my definite favorite.

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