2022 Tesla Model 3 Pros and Cons
2022 Tesla Model 3 by Calreyn88 - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Say what you will about Tesla, but it’s hard to deny that Elon Musk’s company has brought EVs into the mainstream. As such, one of the leading models that made this possible was the entry-level Tesla Model 3.
The Tesla Model 3 has made a big splash in the electric car world, making it easier and more affordable for many people to start driving electric. Thanks to its more accessible price and Tesla’s knack for making high-performing EVs, the Model 3 appeals to many buyers. It’s priced better than many other electric cars, so more folks are considering going electric instead of regular gas cars. In short, the Model 3 is helping more people get on board with cleaner, greener driving, speeding up the shift to better ways of getting around.
If you’re interested in a Tesla Model 3, you might have considered the 2022 model year. However, is it a good fit for your needs? So today, we rounded up the 2022 Tesla Model 3 pros and cons to help you out.
What We Love: 2022 Tesla Model 3 Pros
What makes the 2022 Model 3 a great buy? Here are a few compelling reasons:
Pro: Top-Notch Acceleration
One of the biggest claims to fame by Tesla is the surge of power you get by stabbing the acceleration. Tesla is known for providing a quick, seamless, and noiseless burst of speed with just a tap on the accelerator, and the 2022 Model 3 truly lives up to this reputation. It offers an exciting driving experience, and as per Tesla’s claims, the electric motor of the base model can accelerate the car from a standstill to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds (Standard Range Plus). This powerful acceleration ensures you can overtake slower vehicles effortlessly and confidently merge onto busy highways.
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Pro: Impressive Drive Quality and Handling
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 is an excellent car with impressive driving experience and handling. This is due mainly to the heavy battery pack being positioned under the floor, which lowers the car’s center of gravity and helps it remain stable and poised even when taking sharp turns. While the all-season tires provide ample grip for most drivers, the car’s standard stability control system may feel restrictive for those who prefer more spirited driving.
Enthusiasts looking for enhanced cornering capabilities will appreciate the Performance trim, which has superior brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, and a drive mode specifically designed for track use.
Pro: Best-in-Class Driving Range
The Tesla Model 3 has set a high standard for electric vehicle range. Its standard Rear-Wheel Drive model can impressively cover up to 272 miles per charge, surpassing entry-level offerings from other brands and slightly edging out the Polestar 2. The Long Range Model can extend this impressively to 358 miles, while the Performance variant delivers a solid 315 miles. Not only does it excel in range, but it’s also remarkably energy-efficient, with the Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range versions achieving over 130 MPGe, comparable to the efficiency of the Lucid Air.
Pro: Excellent Safety Features and Ratings
The 2022 Model 3 is a remarkably safe car, thanks to its advanced safety features and high safety ratings. The car’s structure is designed to provide superior occupant protection, with energy-absorbing side sills and a low-mounted battery that helps prevent rollover accidents. Moreover, the car’s active safety features, such as automatic emergency braking and Tesla’s Autopilot, are vital in preventing accidents. It’s worth noting that the vehicle also includes impressive fire safety measures, with battery packs designed to reduce the risk of fire.
TESLA MODEL 3’S STANDARD RANGE VS. LONG RANGE
If you’re in the market for a Tesla Model 3, one of your biggest decisions is which version to buy: the standard range or the long range. Keep reading for all the details of this EV showdown—Tesla Model 3: standard vs. long range.
What We Don’t Love: 2022 Tesla Model 3 Cons
On the flip side of this 2022 Tesla Model 3 pros and cons roundup, here are the qualities you might not enjoy with this EV.
Con: Unintuitive Infotainment System
The 2022 Tesla Model 3’s infotainment system centralizes almost every function within a 15-inch touchscreen, which, while visually appealing and packed with entertainment options, can be less than intuitive for the driver. Navigating through the menus for basic tasks demands attention away from the road, with some options being small or hard to reach. The lack of traditional inclusions like AM radio, Sirius XM, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto – likely due to the system’s integration with vehicle controls – limits user familiarity.
Additionally, the absence of a standard gauge cluster requires drivers to look aside to check speed, a concern somewhat mitigated by the onscreen traffic display. This gap in direct driver line-of-sight information has spurred a market for aftermarket head-up displays among Tesla owners, indicating a notable demand for more accessible driving data.
Con: Questionable Build Quality
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 has been under scrutiny due to concerns regarding its fit and finish, raising concerns about its build quality. Although Tesla has improved its manufacturing processes over time, some owners have reported problems such as misaligned panels, inconsistent gaps, and other fit and finish irregularities that raise questions about the vehicle’s overall assembly quality.
Additionally, some customers have faced issues with the touchscreen interface and other interior components. This suggests that while the Model 3 excels in many areas, attention to detail in fit and finish could be better.
THE TESLA MODEL 3 YEARS TO AVOID
It might feel impossible to land on the correct year - which is where we step in. Read on to learn more about the Tesla Model 3 years to avoid.
Con: Not Cheap
The 2022 Tesla Model 3, despite being marketed as an entry-level electric vehicle (EV), has been critiqued for its pricing, which appears steep compared to some of its competitors. The rear-drive Model 3 Standard Range Plus is the most affordable Tesla, priced around $41,500+, yet when you look into the market, there are more economically priced alternatives. For instance, the Nissan Leaf, noted for being one of the least expensive electric sedans in America, starts at $27,400+.
While Tesla’s Model 3 offers advanced technology and performance, particularly in its Long Range and Performance trims, the cost escalates significantly, with the Performance model reaching about $54,880.
2022 Tesla Model 3 Pros and Cons: Is This EV for You?
This concludes our roundup of the 2022 Tesla Model 3 pros and cons. If you want to get into the EV ecosystem, the 2022 Tesla Model 3 can be an excellent gateway. Thanks to its combination of innovative technology, impressive range, and strong safety features, both tech-savvy and environmentally conscious drivers will have a lot to love.
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