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[](https://www.teslarati.com/) - [NEWS](https://www.teslarati.com/category/news/) - [Tesla](https://www.teslarati.com/category/tesla/) - [\| **SHOP** TESLA Gear & Upgrades \|](https://shop.teslarati.com/) - [SPACEX](https://www.teslarati.com/category/spacex/) - [Elon Musk](https://www.teslarati.com/category/elon-musk/) Connect with us [](https://www.teslarati.com/) ## TESLARATI #### Veteran Tesla owner shares honest thoughts about his new Model 3 - [NEWS](https://www.teslarati.com/category/news/) - [Tesla is pushing Robotaxi features to owner cars with Spring Update](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-pushing-robotaxi-features-owner-cars-spring-update/) - [Tesla Cybertruck sales bolstered by bold Musk move, report claims](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-cybertruck-sales-bolstered-bold-musk-move-report-claims/) - [Tesla Signature Model S, X owners get hit with crazy no-resale clause](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-signature-model-s-x-owners-hit-crazy-no-resale-clause/) - [Tesla just tipped its hand on a major Cybercab feature as production hits Plaid Mode](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-just-tipped-its-hand-major-cybercab-feature-production-hits-plaid-mode/) - [Tesla preps new Model Y trim for India, a once-elusive market](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-preps-new-model-y-trim-india-once-elusive-market/) - [Tesla](https://www.teslarati.com/category/tesla/) - [Tesla is pushing Robotaxi features to owner cars with Spring Update](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-pushing-robotaxi-features-owner-cars-spring-update/) - [Tesla Cybertruck sales bolstered by bold Musk move, report claims](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-cybertruck-sales-bolstered-bold-musk-move-report-claims/) - [Tesla Signature Model S, X owners get hit with crazy no-resale clause](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-signature-model-s-x-owners-hit-crazy-no-resale-clause/) - [Tesla just tipped its hand on a major Cybercab feature as production hits Plaid Mode](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-just-tipped-its-hand-major-cybercab-feature-production-hits-plaid-mode/) - [Tesla preps new Model Y trim for India, a once-elusive market](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-preps-new-model-y-trim-india-once-elusive-market/) - [\| **SHOP** TESLA Gear & Upgrades \|](https://shop.teslarati.com/) - [SPACEX](https://www.teslarati.com/category/spacex/) - [The Starship V3 static fire everyone was waiting for just happened](https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-v3-static-fire/) - [SpaceX is keeping the Space Station alive again this weekend](https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-ng-24-mission-space-station/) - [Elon Musk’s Terafab project locks up massive new partner](https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-terafab-project-locks-up-massive-new-partner/) - [Elon Musk calls out \$2 trillion SpaceX IPO valuation as ‘BS’](https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-calls-out-2-trillion-spacex-ipo-valuation-bs/) - [Elon Musk reveals date of SpaceX Starship v3’s maiden voyage](https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-reveals-date-starship-v3-maiden-voyage/) - [Elon Musk](https://www.teslarati.com/category/elon-musk/) - [Tesla’s golden era is no longer a tagline](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-cybercab-robotaxi-golden-era/) - [Tesla Optimus V3 hand and arm details revealed in new patents](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-optimus-v3-hand-arm-details-revealed-new-patents/) - [Tesla finalizes AI5 chip design, Elon Musk makes bold claim on capability](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-finalizes-ai5-chip-design-elon-musk-makes-bold-claim-capability/) - [Elon Musk signals expansion of Tesla’s unique side business](https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-signals-expansion-tesla-unique-side-business/) - [The Starship V3 static fire everyone was waiting for just happened](https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-v3-static-fire/)   ### [Lifestyle](https://www.teslarati.com/category/lifestyle/) # Veteran Tesla owner shares honest thoughts about his new Model 3 Source: EVANNEX  Published 8 years ago on February 1, 2018 By [Evannex](https://www.teslarati.com/author/e-v-annex/ "Posts by Evannex") Lots of reviews discuss Model 3—its performance and driving attributes, its interior and exterior design, the basic functionality achieved through the landscape display and a myriad of other features. I’ve now been driving my Model 3, one of the first in South Florida, for about a week, and I’d like to share some of my observations about the car, without repeating what most of you may already know after seeing reviews performed by mass media and big name Youtubers. | | |---| |  | *Above: There it is… my midnight silver Model 3 delivery at Tesla’s service center in Dania Beach, Florida (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* First, the big picture—Model 3 is a truly transformational vehicle. It provides high performance, long range, and a premium aesthetic at a broadly affordable price. But you already knew that. Let me talk about what you may not know—the good things and the things that might need some improvement. Now, full disclosure—many of the early owners of Model 3 have been past owners of Model S or Model X. I’m one of those people. I’ve had over five years of driving experience with Model S and almost two with Model X. Many of my observations naturally lead to comparisons between S, X and 3. I’ll save most of that for another post. Advertisement *So, let’s begin …* **Charging Speed.** The first time I tried to charge Model 3 in my garage, I was surprised to learn that Model 3 charging using the *new* Tesla Universal Mobile Charging Cable (UMC) *is limited to a maximum of 32 amps*. That means that charging on a 240V 40-amp, NEMA 14-50 outlet will get you about 22 – 24 miles of range per hour of charging. That’s not great, but it’ll be absolutely fine for overnight charging. | | |---| |  | *Above: Charging the Model 3 (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* Because I also own a Model X with an *old* UMC, I immediately swapped out the *new* UMC for the old one and achieved a full 40-amps and a charging rate of between 32 and 38 miles of range per hour (actually more efficient than either Model S or X). The difference between the old UMC and the new UMC is pretty significant\! If you’re the owner of an older Model S or X, hold on to your *old* UMC and use it instead of the cable that comes with Model 3. And if you’re a first time Tesla owner and you want faster charging at home, you might want to consider buying an old UMC through the used components marketplace. Advertisement **Information Placement and Ergonomics.** Every reviewer mentions the lack of a binnacle—the place directly in front of the driver where a conventional speedometer and other instrumentation appears. You get over this in about 5 minutes. | | |---| |  | *Above: Sitting in the Model 3, I find the UI easy to learn (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* The placement of the speedometer and other critical driving information and functions on the left-hand side of the landscape display works well. It can be scanned with no more eye movement that required to scan the binnacle. However, because this critical information takes up some of the screen real estate, all other functionality is pushed right on the display. In general, it’s not a big problem, but it can be annoying and possibly even distracting if you must reach or look to the far right side of the display (say, for example, to see turn-by-turn directions from the nav system). There are a number of ways this can be remedied through a software update, and I suspect Tesla will do so in the near future. **Audio.** I’m not an audiophile, but the sound system in Model 3 is really, really good—crisp with clearly defined high frequencies and solid bass. The “immersive sound” option makes all the difference—be sure you turn it on. In my opinion, the Model 3 sound system is better than the standard sound system in Model S or Model X. The user interface is serviceable, but I suspect that it will evolve over the coming months. Advertisement **Interior Features.** The Model 3 interior design language is minimalist and sleek. Visually, there is little design ‘noise’ to break the smooth flow of the interior geometry. It is, in my view, groundbreaking. One reviewer from CNN lamented the fact that there were no buttons and knobs in the driver compartment, a clear indication that he completely misunderstands the design intent and has no clue about the future of automobiles. But I digress. Although Model 3 has a collection of typical interior features including lighted visor mirrors (an inside joke for Model S owners), the primary focus is the center console. As the guy who designed the very first center console for Model S—EVANNEX’s critically acclaimed Center Console Insert (the CCI)—I’d like to commend Tesla for a well-executed center console for Model 3. It contains everything you’ll need to store your stuff, charge and view your smartphone display, and easy access your USB and 12V ports. It provides closed storage with smoothly operating covers and doors. [](https://cdn.teslarati.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/tesla-model-3-dashcam-blackvue-install.jpg) Tesla Model 3 installed with a [1080P dash cam solution](https://www.teslarati.com/installing-tesla-model-3-dashcam-blackvue-2ch-full-hd/) **Three quibbles:** Advertisement 1\. The standard gloss black surface of the center console shows every fingerprint, every spec of dust and every droplet of liquid that might inadvertently spill. Therefore, the surface becomes messy very quickly. 2\. The center console surface is smooth and quite attractive, but its smoothness is also a minor liability. The center console is where the driver puts stuff—keys, ID cards, a pencil, even a smartphone when it’s not in its own compartment. As I mentioned, Model 3 is nimble, and during a quick turn, everything the driver places on the center console surface goes flying. It’s happened to me a few times already. 3\. In my opinion, the physical height of center console violates the interior design language. It’s unnecessarily high. Hopefully, a future iteration will place the top of the center console at the same height as the seat cushion, allowing this important element to better blend with the interior. Sure, you’ll lose a little vertical storage space, but you’ll gain a better aesthetic. **Exterior Features.** I love Model 3’s exterior—clean, simple, and efficient. For sticklers, the panel gaps on my vehicle were consistently good at approximately 4 to 5 mm throughout, indicating a solid manufacturing process. The trunk opening is much larger than many feared it would be and with the rear seats folded down, you can load a 72” L x 36” wide x 16 “H box into the car. That’s a big box! The trunk hatch requires a bit of a push to close. Advertisement | | |---| |  | *Above: A look at my Model 3 with the 18″ aero caps (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* The doors open wide for easy entry. Their signature feature is the J-handles that rotate outward to open. I have two minor quibbles with the doors. 1\. The J-handles are very cool, rotating outward with a push on the ‘fat’ part of the handle. The problem is that gripping the handle to pull the door open can be a challenge if you use the wrong hand. On the driver side, your left hand is the one you want to use, but if you’re carrying, say, a grocery bag in your left hand, opening the driver door with your right hand can require a little bit of arm twisting. When you approach the driver door, try to remember to have your left hand free. The opposite applies on the passenger side. From a design perspective, a future improvement might be to have the door handle spring open and stay that way until a pull on the thin end occurs. It would then return to the closed position. 2\. You have to be conscious of making sure that your door closes properly. In many cases, a seemingly proper push of the door will leave it slightly ajar. The problem is that the window remains slightly lowered during closing, and if you don’t notice the problem and walk away, its possible for rain to enter your passenger compartment. Be careful with this and check your doors for full closure during your early weeks of ownership. **Suspension and Ride.** Most big name reviewers agree that Model 3 is a driver’s car with a tight suspension, very little roll, and nimble response. Its spring suspension allows you to feel the road, and it’s likely that some owners will accuse Model 3 of a harsh ride. I would characterize the ride as typical of a true sports sedan. Advertisement | | |---| |  | *Above: In order to improve the 18″ wheel aesthetics, I removed the aero caps, and installed Model S silver center caps (which also fit Model 3), chrome [gorilla lug nuts](https://evannex.com/products/gorilla-lug-nuts-for-tesla-model-3), and black track/red insert [wheel bands](https://evannex.com/products/wheel-bands-kit-for-tesla-model-3) (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* But here’s something that you should know. The body sits relatively high above the ground. With standard 18 or 19-inch wheels, there’s a lot of space between the outer perimeter of the tire and the wheel well fender cut out. Those owners who want a closer-to-the-ground look will undoubtedly remedy this with special suspension packages in the aftermarket. **Wheels and Tires.** The OEM tire and wheel packages for Model 3 are pretty pedestrian. They get the job done and look okay, but if you’re like me and believe that wheels are probably the most important element, other than body design, to a vehicle’s overall exterior aesthetic, there’s a lot of opportunities for you to improve the look of your Model 3. I moved immediately to make a wheel change. | | |---| |  | *Above: My Model 3 with new 20″ AG M580 wheels installed (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* It is true that there are considerations you must address before you buy aftermarket wheels—additional cost and the possibility of poor fit or tire interference. It also worth noting that they’re frowned upon by Tesla, but that won’t stop tens of thousands of Model 3 owners from making a switch. My advice: Order your Model 3 with standard 18-inch wheels and tires, then, if you’re so inclined, upgrade to aftermarket 19s or 20s to improve the exterior aesthetic. The EVANNEX-AG staggered wheels on my Model 3 are the 20s, which fit the Model 3 perfectly with no interference, and I think, give the car a very cool premium look with a muscular feel. They’ve already gotten a lot of very positive comments. This approach is somewhat more expensive than opting for the OEM 19s provided by Tesla for a \$1600 premium, but I think the result is worth it. Advertisement For those that are curious, my wheels are [AG M580](https://evannex.com/pages/ag-m580-wheel-for-tesla-model-3), 20×8.5 front and 20×10 rear. I opted for Michelin PilotSport 4S tires, 245/35/20 front and 274/30/20 rear. There are other less expensive tire options. By the way, the rolling diameter of the AG 20s and tires is within one percent of OEM 19s, so there is virtually no impact on speedometer or other driving functions. **Summary.** I waited almost two years for my Model 3. Overall, it’s exceeded my expectations in almost every category. But like every car, it’s not perfect. I’m confident that Tesla will remedy almost all of the quibbles and minor issues I mention in this post quickly. And for other things, we at EVANNEX will try our best to provide those of you Model 3 owners (or reservation holders) with the [ability](https://evannex.com/pages/tesla-model-3-accessories-1) to make this near perfect car perfect for you. | | |---| |  | *Above: Loving the new look (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* Bottom line—the Model 3 was definitely worth the wait\! \=== Advertisement *Note: Article originally published on [evannex.com](https://evannex.com/blogs/news/tesla-model-3-things-the-big-name-reviewers-dont-talk-about), written by Roger Pressman —* *author of [Getting Ready for Model 3](https://evannex.com/pages/book-tesla-model-3), and, founder of [Electric Vehicle University](https://evannex.com/pages/evannex-university-evu-draft). Note: If you’re located in South Florida, feel free to view this Model 3 in-person at a special event this Sunday (just be sure to [RSVP](https://www.teslaownersflorida.org/event-2793012)).* Related Topics:[Featured](https://www.teslarati.com/tag/featured/)[New Owner](https://www.teslarati.com/tag/new-owner/)[Tesla Model 3](https://www.teslarati.com/tag/tesla-model-3/)[Tesla Model 3 Exterior](https://www.teslarati.com/tag/tesla-model-3-exterior/)[Tesla Model 3 Interior](https://www.teslarati.com/tag/tesla-model-3-interior/)  [Evannex](https://www.teslarati.com/author/e-v-annex/ "Posts by Evannex") EVANNEX carries aftermarket accessories, parts, and gear for Tesla owners. Its blog is updated daily with Tesla news.  Advertisement Comments ### [Elon Musk](https://www.teslarati.com/category/elon-musk/) # Tesla’s golden era is no longer a tagline Tesla “golden era” teaser video highlights the future of transportation and why car ownership itself may be the next thing to change.  Published 2 days ago on April 16, 2026 By [Gene](https://www.teslarati.com/author/gene-l/ "Posts by Gene")  Tesla Cybercab Golden Era is Here (Credit: Tesla) The golden age of autonomous ridesharing is arriving, and Tesla is making sure we can all picture a future that looks like the future. A recent teaser [posted to X](https://x.com/robotaxi/status/2044850950264025199?s=20) shows a Cybercab parked outside a home, and with a clear message that your everyday life may soon look like this when the driverless vehicles shows up at your door. Tesla has begun the rollout of its Robotaxi service across US cities, and the production of its dedicated, fully-autonomous Cybercab vehicle. The first Cybercab rolled off the Giga Texas assembly line on February 17, 2026, with volume production now targeted for this month. Additionally, the Robotaxi service built around it is already running, without human drivers, in US cities. > [Tesla Cybercab production ignites with 60 units spotted at Giga Texas](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-cybercab-production-ignites-60-units-spotted-at-giga-texas/) The Cybercab is built without a steering wheel, pedals, or side mirrors, designed from the ground up for unsupervised autonomous operation. Musk described the manufacturing approach as closer to consumer electronics than traditional car production, targeting a cycle time of one unit every ten seconds at full scale. Advertisement Drone footage from April 13, 2026 captured over 50 Cybercab units on the Giga Texas campus, with several clustered near the crash testing facility. Musk has noted that Tesla plans to sell the Cybercab to consumers for under \$30,000, and owners will be able to add their vehicles to the Tesla robotaxi network when not in personal use, potentially generating income to offset the vehicle’s purchase cost. That model changes the math on vehicle ownership in a meaningful way, making a car something closer to a depreciating asset that can also earn by paying itself off and generate a profit. During Tesla’s Q4 earnings call, the company confirmed plans to [expand the Robotaxi program to seven new cities](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-confirms-robotaxi-expansion-plans-new-cities-aggressive-timeline/) in the first half of 2026, including Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Las Vegas. The service already runs without safety drivers in Austin, and public road testing of the Cybercab has expanded to five states, including California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts. > Golden era [pic.twitter.com/AS6pX2dK8N](https://t.co/AS6pX2dK8N) > > — Tesla Robotaxi (@robotaxi) [April 16, 2026](https://twitter.com/robotaxi/status/2044850950264025199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Advertisement [Continue Reading](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-cybercab-robotaxi-golden-era/) ### [Firmware](https://www.teslarati.com/category/tesla-model-s/firmware/) # Tesla 2026 Spring Update drops 12 new features owners have been waiting for  Published 5 days ago on April 13, 2026 By [Gene](https://www.teslarati.com/author/gene-l/ "Posts by Gene")  Tesla announced its Spring 2026 software update, and it’s the most feature-dense seasonal release the company has put out. The update covers twelve named changes spanning FSD, voice AI, safety lighting, dashcam storage, and pet display customization, among other things. The centerpiece for owners with AI4 hardware is a redesigned Self-Driving app. The new interface lets owners subscribe to Full Self-Driving with a single tap and view ongoing FSD usage stats directly in the vehicle. [](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-spring-update-2026-fsd-stats/) Grok gets its biggest in-car upgrade yet. The update adds a “Hey Grok” hands-free wake word along with location-based reminders, so a driver can now say “remind me to pick up groceries when I get home” without touching the screen. Grok first arrived in vehicles in July 2025, but each update has pushed it closer to genuine daily utility. Musk framed the broader vision clearly at Davos in January, saying Tesla is “really moving into a future that is based on autonomy.” On safety, the update introduces enhanced blind spot warning lights that integrate directly with the cabin’s ambient lighting, building on the blind spot door warning that arrived in update 2026.8. Advertisement [](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-spring-update-2026-pet-mode/) Dog Mode has been renamed Pet Mode and now lets owners choose a dog, cat, or hedgehog icon and add their pet’s name to the display. Dashcam retention now extends up to 24 hours, up from the previous one-hour rolling loop, with a permanent save option for any clip. Weather maps now show rain and snow with better color differentiation and include the past hour of precipitation data along the route. [](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-spring-update-2026-dashcam/) Tesla has now established a clear rhythm of two major OTA pushes per year. As with [last year’s Spring update](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-spring-update-adaptive-headlights/), that cycle started taking shape in 2025 with adaptive headlights and trunk customization. The 2025 Holiday Update then added Grok to the vehicle for the first time. This Spring follows that structure: the Holiday update introduces new architecture, and the Spring update broadens it across the fleet. Two notable features still did not make it. IFTTT automations, which launched in China earlier this year, were held back from this North American release for unknown reasons, and Apple CarPlay remains absent, reportedly still delayed by iOS 26 and Apple Maps compatibility issues. Advertisement Below is the full list of feature updates released by Tesla. > <https://t.co/FrWpKzTkjj> > > — Tesla (@Tesla) [April 13, 2026](https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/2043782316850573312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Advertisement [Continue Reading](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-spring-update-2026/) ### [Lifestyle](https://www.teslarati.com/category/lifestyle/) # Tesla hit by Iranian missile debris in Israel A Tesla in Israel absorbed a direct hit from missile debris, and the glassroof held.  Published 2 weeks ago on April 4, 2026 By [Gene](https://www.teslarati.com/author/gene-l/ "Posts by Gene")  On March 30, 2026, Lara Shusterman was in Netanya, Israel when Iranian ballistic missiles triggered air raid sirens across the city. While she remained in safety, her 2024 Tesla Model Y did not escape untouched. A heavy piece of missile debris struck the car’s massive glass roof, leaving a deep crater but without shattering. In a Facebook post to the [Tesla Israel community](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1751139384947726) the following morning, Shusterman described what happened: “The glass did not shatter into dangerous shards. She stopped the damage and pushed the metal part to the ground.” She closed by thanking Elon Musk and the Tesla team for building what she called “security and a sense of trust even in extreme situations.” Netanya is a coastal city in central Israel, roughly 18 miles north of Tel Aviv and has been among the areas most frequently struck during Iran’s ongoing missile campaign, following coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian military infrastructure. Falling shrapnel from intercepted missiles is a common occurrence. [](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-glass-safety-iran-israel-missle/screenshot-143/) Tesla Model Y glass roof shattered from a piece of falling Iranian missile debris [](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-glass-safety-iran-israel-missle/tesla-glassroof-cracked-israel-3/) A piece of Iranian missile debris that struck Lara Shusterman’s Tesla Model Y in Netanya, Israel on March 30, 2026, after being intercepted by Israeli air defenses. [](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-glass-safety-iran-israel-missle/screenshot-142/) Tesla Model Y glass roof shattered from a piece of falling Iranian missile debris [](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-glass-safety-iran-israel-missle/tesla-israel-facebook/) Source: Tesla Israel Facebook Group The incident is a testament to Tesla’s structural engineering. Tesla’s glass roof is designed to support over four times the vehicle’s own weight. That strength has shown up in real-world accidents too. In 2021, a Model Y in California was struck by a falling tree during a storm, with the glass roof holding firm and the cabin remaining intact. In another widely reported incident, a Tesla Model Y plunged 250 feet off the cliff at Devil’s Slide in California in January 2023, with all four occupants, including two young children, surviving. > [Disturbing details about Tesla’s 250-foot cliff drop emerge amid initial investigation](https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-250-foot-cliff-drop-attempted-murder-details/) Tesla officially launched sales in Israel in early 2021 and captured over 60 percent of Israel’s EV market in the first year. The brand’s foothold in Israel remains significant. Tens of thousands of Teslas are now on Israeli roads, making incidents like Shusterman’s easy to corroborate. On the same week her Model Y took the hit, the U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX a \$178.5 million contract to [launch missile tracking satellites](https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-space-force-missle-defense-satellite/), a separate but fitting reminder of how intertwined the Musk ecosystem has become with the realities of modern conflict. 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Lots of reviews discuss Model 3—its performance and driving attributes, its interior and exterior design, the basic functionality achieved through the landscape display and a myriad of other features. I’ve now been driving my Model 3, one of the first in South Florida, for about a week, and I’d like to share some of my observations about the car, without repeating what most of you may already know after seeing reviews performed by mass media and big name Youtubers.  *Above: There it is… my midnight silver Model 3 delivery at Tesla’s service center in Dania Beach, Florida (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* First, the big picture—Model 3 is a truly transformational vehicle. It provides high performance, long range, and a premium aesthetic at a broadly affordable price. But you already knew that. Let me talk about what you may not know—the good things and the things that might need some improvement. Now, full disclosure—many of the early owners of Model 3 have been past owners of Model S or Model X. I’m one of those people. I’ve had over five years of driving experience with Model S and almost two with Model X. Many of my observations naturally lead to comparisons between S, X and 3. I’ll save most of that for another post. *So, let’s begin …* **Charging Speed.** The first time I tried to charge Model 3 in my garage, I was surprised to learn that Model 3 charging using the *new* Tesla Universal Mobile Charging Cable (UMC) *is limited to a maximum of 32 amps*. That means that charging on a 240V 40-amp, NEMA 14-50 outlet will get you about 22 – 24 miles of range per hour of charging. That’s not great, but it’ll be absolutely fine for overnight charging.  *Above: Charging the Model 3 (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* Because I also own a Model X with an *old* UMC, I immediately swapped out the *new* UMC for the old one and achieved a full 40-amps and a charging rate of between 32 and 38 miles of range per hour (actually more efficient than either Model S or X). The difference between the old UMC and the new UMC is pretty significant\! If you’re the owner of an older Model S or X, hold on to your *old* UMC and use it instead of the cable that comes with Model 3. And if you’re a first time Tesla owner and you want faster charging at home, you might want to consider buying an old UMC through the used components marketplace. **Information Placement and Ergonomics.** Every reviewer mentions the lack of a binnacle—the place directly in front of the driver where a conventional speedometer and other instrumentation appears. You get over this in about 5 minutes.  *Above: Sitting in the Model 3, I find the UI easy to learn (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* The placement of the speedometer and other critical driving information and functions on the left-hand side of the landscape display works well. It can be scanned with no more eye movement that required to scan the binnacle. However, because this critical information takes up some of the screen real estate, all other functionality is pushed right on the display. In general, it’s not a big problem, but it can be annoying and possibly even distracting if you must reach or look to the far right side of the display (say, for example, to see turn-by-turn directions from the nav system). There are a number of ways this can be remedied through a software update, and I suspect Tesla will do so in the near future. **Audio.** I’m not an audiophile, but the sound system in Model 3 is really, really good—crisp with clearly defined high frequencies and solid bass. The “immersive sound” option makes all the difference—be sure you turn it on. In my opinion, the Model 3 sound system is better than the standard sound system in Model S or Model X. The user interface is serviceable, but I suspect that it will evolve over the coming months. **Interior Features.** The Model 3 interior design language is minimalist and sleek. Visually, there is little design ‘noise’ to break the smooth flow of the interior geometry. It is, in my view, groundbreaking. One reviewer from CNN lamented the fact that there were no buttons and knobs in the driver compartment, a clear indication that he completely misunderstands the design intent and has no clue about the future of automobiles. But I digress. Although Model 3 has a collection of typical interior features including lighted visor mirrors (an inside joke for Model S owners), the primary focus is the center console. As the guy who designed the very first center console for Model S—EVANNEX’s critically acclaimed Center Console Insert (the CCI)—I’d like to commend Tesla for a well-executed center console for Model 3. It contains everything you’ll need to store your stuff, charge and view your smartphone display, and easy access your USB and 12V ports. It provides closed storage with smoothly operating covers and doors. **Three quibbles:** 1\. The standard gloss black surface of the center console shows every fingerprint, every spec of dust and every droplet of liquid that might inadvertently spill. Therefore, the surface becomes messy very quickly. 2\. The center console surface is smooth and quite attractive, but its smoothness is also a minor liability. The center console is where the driver puts stuff—keys, ID cards, a pencil, even a smartphone when it’s not in its own compartment. As I mentioned, Model 3 is nimble, and during a quick turn, everything the driver places on the center console surface goes flying. It’s happened to me a few times already. 3\. In my opinion, the physical height of center console violates the interior design language. It’s unnecessarily high. Hopefully, a future iteration will place the top of the center console at the same height as the seat cushion, allowing this important element to better blend with the interior. Sure, you’ll lose a little vertical storage space, but you’ll gain a better aesthetic. **Exterior Features.** I love Model 3’s exterior—clean, simple, and efficient. For sticklers, the panel gaps on my vehicle were consistently good at approximately 4 to 5 mm throughout, indicating a solid manufacturing process. The trunk opening is much larger than many feared it would be and with the rear seats folded down, you can load a 72” L x 36” wide x 16 “H box into the car. That’s a big box! The trunk hatch requires a bit of a push to close.  *Above: A look at my Model 3 with the 18″ aero caps (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* The doors open wide for easy entry. Their signature feature is the J-handles that rotate outward to open. I have two minor quibbles with the doors. 1\. The J-handles are very cool, rotating outward with a push on the ‘fat’ part of the handle. The problem is that gripping the handle to pull the door open can be a challenge if you use the wrong hand. On the driver side, your left hand is the one you want to use, but if you’re carrying, say, a grocery bag in your left hand, opening the driver door with your right hand can require a little bit of arm twisting. When you approach the driver door, try to remember to have your left hand free. The opposite applies on the passenger side. From a design perspective, a future improvement might be to have the door handle spring open and stay that way until a pull on the thin end occurs. It would then return to the closed position. 2\. You have to be conscious of making sure that your door closes properly. In many cases, a seemingly proper push of the door will leave it slightly ajar. The problem is that the window remains slightly lowered during closing, and if you don’t notice the problem and walk away, its possible for rain to enter your passenger compartment. Be careful with this and check your doors for full closure during your early weeks of ownership. **Suspension and Ride.** Most big name reviewers agree that Model 3 is a driver’s car with a tight suspension, very little roll, and nimble response. Its spring suspension allows you to feel the road, and it’s likely that some owners will accuse Model 3 of a harsh ride. I would characterize the ride as typical of a true sports sedan.  *Above: In order to improve the 18″ wheel aesthetics, I removed the aero caps, and installed Model S silver center caps (which also fit Model 3), chrome [gorilla lug nuts](https://evannex.com/products/gorilla-lug-nuts-for-tesla-model-3), and black track/red insert [wheel bands](https://evannex.com/products/wheel-bands-kit-for-tesla-model-3) (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* But here’s something that you should know. The body sits relatively high above the ground. With standard 18 or 19-inch wheels, there’s a lot of space between the outer perimeter of the tire and the wheel well fender cut out. Those owners who want a closer-to-the-ground look will undoubtedly remedy this with special suspension packages in the aftermarket. **Wheels and Tires.** The OEM tire and wheel packages for Model 3 are pretty pedestrian. They get the job done and look okay, but if you’re like me and believe that wheels are probably the most important element, other than body design, to a vehicle’s overall exterior aesthetic, there’s a lot of opportunities for you to improve the look of your Model 3. I moved immediately to make a wheel change.  *Above: My Model 3 with new 20″ AG M580 wheels installed (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* It is true that there are considerations you must address before you buy aftermarket wheels—additional cost and the possibility of poor fit or tire interference. It also worth noting that they’re frowned upon by Tesla, but that won’t stop tens of thousands of Model 3 owners from making a switch. My advice: Order your Model 3 with standard 18-inch wheels and tires, then, if you’re so inclined, upgrade to aftermarket 19s or 20s to improve the exterior aesthetic. The EVANNEX-AG staggered wheels on my Model 3 are the 20s, which fit the Model 3 perfectly with no interference, and I think, give the car a very cool premium look with a muscular feel. They’ve already gotten a lot of very positive comments. This approach is somewhat more expensive than opting for the OEM 19s provided by Tesla for a \$1600 premium, but I think the result is worth it. For those that are curious, my wheels are [AG M580](https://evannex.com/pages/ag-m580-wheel-for-tesla-model-3), 20×8.5 front and 20×10 rear. I opted for Michelin PilotSport 4S tires, 245/35/20 front and 274/30/20 rear. There are other less expensive tire options. By the way, the rolling diameter of the AG 20s and tires is within one percent of OEM 19s, so there is virtually no impact on speedometer or other driving functions. **Summary.** I waited almost two years for my Model 3. Overall, it’s exceeded my expectations in almost every category. But like every car, it’s not perfect. I’m confident that Tesla will remedy almost all of the quibbles and minor issues I mention in this post quickly. And for other things, we at EVANNEX will try our best to provide those of you Model 3 owners (or reservation holders) with the [ability](https://evannex.com/pages/tesla-model-3-accessories-1) to make this near perfect car perfect for you.  *Above: Loving the new look (Photo: [EVANNEX](https://evannex.com/))* Bottom line—the Model 3 was definitely worth the wait\! \=== *Note: Article originally published on [evannex.com](https://evannex.com/blogs/news/tesla-model-3-things-the-big-name-reviewers-dont-talk-about), written by Roger Pressman —* *author of [Getting Ready for Model 3](https://evannex.com/pages/book-tesla-model-3), and, founder of [Electric Vehicle University](https://evannex.com/pages/evannex-university-evu-draft). Note: If you’re located in South Florida, feel free to view this Model 3 in-person at a special event this Sunday (just be sure to [RSVP](https://www.teslaownersflorida.org/event-2793012)).*