Since its massive worldwide debut, which saw hundreds of thousands of people throw down $1,000 reservations, the Tesla Model 3 has been compared to the BMW 3 Series. Questions of whether or not the Tesla Model 3 could compare to cars like the 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 have been swirling around it since test drives started happening almost a year ago. So can it really beat the BMW 3 Series, the car that started the segment? Autocar finds out in this new video.
Autocar’s Matt Prior is not a particular Tesla fanboy and reviews it as objectively as possible. He drives the Model 3 on some of California’s twistier roads to see how it would fare on roads about similar as he could find to a British B-road. And he finds that the Model 3 is a very good car that he enjoyed driving. But is it as good as the 3 Series and C-Class? He’s not so sure. But one thing I think we’ve all learned is this — it doesn’t matter. Tesla fans are going to say that the Model 3 blows the doors off of a 3 Series no matter what. And Tesla haters are going to argue the contrary, regardless of how good the Tesla is.
But for those that have no brand affiliation, who look at the Model 3 and 3 Series alike with an open mind, it’s really going to come down to what you want in a car. If you want comfortable, smooth and quiet transportation with the latest tech possible, the Tesla Model 3 is probably your best bet. If you want something with proper driving dynamics and something that’s a little bit more fun, than the BMW 3 Series is probably better for you.
However, if Tesla wants the Model 3 to beat the best-selling car in the segment, it’s going to have to offer an experience that’s far superior and we’re not so sure it is. Prior says that it drives fine and is decently fun to drive. That’s not exactly glowing praise but it isn’t harsh criticism either. The Model 3 seems to be an interesting alternative to the 3 Series, something you buy if you’re interested in electric mobility and want something that offers a new perspective on the segment. But it doesn’t something that’s going to pull a lot of 3 Series/C-Class/A4 buyers over.
So, can it beat the 3 Series? In terms of the way it drives and performs, probably not. But if you want something that’s different, if you want to try an electric car that offers a similar experience to the cars in that segment, than the Model 3 could be a very good car for you. That is, if you can actually get one.
It certainly can’t beat the 3 Series in terms of design (and for a number of other reasons)
As the owner of a Tesla Model X and a BMW i3 the answer is, no it won’t. Teslas don’t have the build quality, design quality, and believe it or not they lack a lot of high tech options that BMW and others already offer. One reason the Model 3 will eat up some 3-Series sales, simply, you can’t buy an electric 3-Series. I was sitting in my i3 once thinking, if only I could get this (electric) driving experience in an X5. The only solution, my Tesla Model X, although for the above mentioned reasons, and a few additional ones my Model X might get traded in…….soon.
That’s an interesting unbiased take. Thanks. As for a Model X alternative, have you been following the Audi e-tron?
I’m leaning towards the Jaguar I-Pace, but I’m looking at both before I make a final decision. The I-Pace with its cab forward design, and the wheels out at each corner looks like it’ll be fun to drive like the i3.
I forgot about the I-Pace. That looks like great fun. Plus, there’s some genuine Motorsport connection to that. Oh, and you can say you have a Jaaaaaaagg.
Fully Charged early video review of Mercedes EQC SUV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7ZjkoJgXWk
What about the iX3? That will likely replace my i3.
Sales is of course the most important metric, so let’s compare that.
In 2018, BMW will sell about 60k 3-series in US and 140k in Europe.
Even at its’ current production rate, Model 3 will sell about 100k in the US in 2018, substantially beating 3-series there.
Of course, Tesla does not yet deliver Model 3 in Europe, so 3-series wins that by default. But lets look at US+Europe for both. 3-Series will sell ~200k total, and Model 3 will sell between 100k (worst-case at current production rate), and 170k+ (assuming Q1+Q2 ramp sales, plus net 5k/week for Q3+Q4 ’18).
So 3-series technically will likely win for 2018, however note that Model 3 is production constrained, with ~450k reservations, so if Tesla could actually produce to meet demand, it would easily surpass 3-Series, which is demand-constrained.
For 2019, conservatively assuming only steady 5k/wk for the year, Model 3 will substantially outsell 3-series in US+Europe.
You ignore 3er is an entire model range, not just sedan. Also, manufactured & sold globally, not true of Model 3. Your prognostication also ignores that the new 3er will offer BEV. BMW are still volume champions when 3 & 4 Series are considered.
The story we’re commenting on is comparing sedans, so let’s stay focused. You can’t change the equation to suit your argument.
Still, I used published data for all “3-series”, so it’s a non-issue anyways.
And since BMW doesn’t yet make a 3-series BEV yet, it’s pointless to make that part of the equation.
The point I’m making is that Model 3 demonstrates that there’s a huge and growing market opportunity for BEV. If BMW were to get serious about it, a 3-series BEV would be fantastic. The problem is that BMW sees it as simply offsetting/cannibalizing their own ICE sales, so it’s not worth the huge investment. So they are slow-walking their BEV game.
Thing is, if BMW doesn’t offset its’ ICE sales with BEV, others will (Tesla, VAG, China).
And in reality Model 3 is not yet proven to be a reliable volume model, something which Tesla have no experience with. Ripping off a decades old model name & publishing a road test is proof of nothing, save for lack of marketing leadership. BMW made a huge investment with i3 & i8, as with the rest of BEV the public have not come on board. Model 3 may well be the 1st volume BEV, but we’re not there yet. BMW have forecast a 50% increase in volume (partly on BEV), are building a new green factory in Mexico for 3 Series, are promoting iNext on a current national ad. campaign, they’re not “slow-walking” anything.
Top Gear’s video review: https://www.topgear.com/videos/video-tesla-model-3s-full-new-york-test
Couldn’t Tesla come up with something better than a nonexistent grille? Looks like someone forgot to install the grille on the manufacturing floor.