2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus Owner Review - EV for Commuting

Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus 2020 - title image

Tesla Model 3

Standard Range Plus 2020

9.8/10not logged40 votes

The TESLA Model 3 Has Changed My Life!!!

15 Jul 2021

Tesla Model 3 Pros and Cons

Pros:
  • Battery range accuracy is incredible when you plug in trips and use battery percentage display. I've found it's accurate to within 2%. 

  • The exterior of the car is absolutely beautiful, and also aerodynamic.

  • Safety First! This is the safest car I have ever owned. Crash ratings are superb, crash test videos are astounding. I feel safe driving this car, and I feel like my kids are safe in it. Roll-overs are near impossible, and the handling in this car is the best I have ever felt.

  • The interior dash area is modern, clean, and beautiful. No buttons or knobs to collect dust either!

  • The driver seat is actually the most comfortable chair/seat/couch I have ever sat in. The ergonomics for your spine and body mechanics are absolutely spot on, plus superb seat warmers for all 5 passengers!

  • Passenger seating is comfortable and spaced very well. Plenty of headspace and foot room for all five seats.

  • Cargo space is out of this world. There is room for almost anything you can think of, including a 5 foot Christmas tree if needed with seats down.

  • Amazing handling in all weather conditions. Steering is tight and traction is never lost in my experience. Car is low to the ground for added control, but not so low that it scrapes on slanted driveways etc.

  • One pedal driving is so easy, so relaxing, and actually saves you money. Regenerative braking is smoothe and easy to get used to.

  • Acceleration is the best I have ever experienced. Smoothe and fast!!

  • Cost of maintenance and driving is next to nothing. I can drive 200 miles for only $5.00. 

  • The air conditioning and heating is the best I have ever had. It heats and cools faster than any other vehicle. Great for people in hot climates.

  • Basic included Autopilot is absolutely amazing. I use it daily. It is easy to use and works exactly as stated. No issues with it.

  • The ability to control the car with your phone is a dream. Climate, range, locks, and location can all be seen adjusted from your phone.

  • Automatic windshield wipers are fun, safe, and convenient.

  • Updates are released quite often and typically download in 30 minutes or less. They also download automatically so you never have to worry about updating your car manually. 

  • Multiple driving profiles are very convenient and save almost every single setting you can think of, not just the seat!! 

  • PIN for driving and glovebox is very nice and provides added safety. 

  • Safety and security is mind-blowing. The ability to record 24 hours a day, 360 degrees around the car makes you feel safe when driving or when you leave your car parked. Also easy to use and the car seems to really know what footage it should save. 

  • Charging at home or at a Super Chargers is cheap, easy, efficient, and reliable. There are also so many Tesla Super Chargers that road trips don't seem scary. 

  • The voice commands, blue-tooth calls, and voice to txt can understand you easily. I have had no issues with hands-free phone calls via bluetooth. They are loud and clear on both ends. 

  • Always feels like a new car when you get updates. It never gets old!!

  • Stereo system is amazing. Every sound is clear and perfectly balanced. No additional settings or speakers are needed. Classical music to rock music all sound clear, even bass is good. 

  • TESLA mobile service will come to your location for all kinds of maintenance. I have had them come to my home 3 times, and it was 100% free for everything that was under warranty. 

  • The ability to schedule maintenance or service in your Tesla app and include pictures is amazing. You can also reschedule in the app as well. 

  • Entertainment is the best! This car has everything from Netflix, to farting sounds, to video games... you can easily pass time anywhere with anyone. 

  • The screen is in the perfect spot to see everything you need to, but does not block the line of sight for the driver.

Cons:
  • A/C seems to have some kind of issue causing an odor especially in humid climates, and Tesla has advised not to use recirculated air setting to avoid the issue. Cabin air filters need to be changed at least once or twice a year as well.

  • Delivery takes quite a while. I waited 8 weeks for my car, but it was worth the wait!

  • Manufacturer defects are possible, like any vehicle. Mine had 3 panel gaps upon delivery, each 7mm or less. Tesla fixed them for free.

  • Cabin air filters are not very accessible, but not necessarily difficult to get to either. Both are located in the center console.

  • Battery loses quite a bit of range in freezing temperatures. But there are ways to avoid excess battery loss, such as scheduled departure etc. 

  • TESLA needs to include a list of voice commands for the vehicle. A lot of commands are common sense, but some are not. However, it does understand your spoken words easily. 

Considered buying

Volvo XC40 Recharge

example image of Volvo XC40 Recharge

The Attractions:

Beautiful Grey Paint, power opening/ closing sunroof plus power retractable sunshade for the entire panoramic sunroof, beautiful rims, and nice overall shape of the car.

The Dealbreakers:

-Shape of the car looks great, but doesn't seem aerodynamic, or energy efficient

-Unreliable fast charging network

-No room for backseat passengers (leg, foot, or hips), plus there is a hump in the back floorboard in the center like a regular gas car. 

-Limited trunk space

-The vehicle looks big on the outside but inside space for passengers and cargo is much smaller than model 3

-Worst of all, the screen looks dated and is not as bright and clear as a Tesla screen. It

Owner Review

The TESLA Model 3 Has Changed My Life!!!

I absolutely love my 2020 TESLA Model 3 Standard Range Plus! It's smart, safe, comfortable, and incredibly fun to drive! A few years ago I started shopping for a new car for myself. I have a teenage son that will be driving soon, and I planned on buying myself my first brand-new car, and giving him my used one. I started car shopping about 4 years ago. I have looked at multiple cars, from every car manufacturer.  I work at multiple surgery centers all over Texas, spending a large portion of my life commuting.. about 10 hours a week! Therefore, I did have a small list of requirements for whatever vehicle I purchased. My price range was between $19,000 and $40,000. I wanted my car to be white because I live in a sunny climate, and light colors are cooler in temperature. I needed it to be safe because I drive on the freeway daily... plus I'm a mom of 6 kids that I need to be around for! I also really needed it to be comfortable to drive for extended amounts of time, and cheap on energy and maintenance. Tesla had absolutely every single thing I wanted and then some! I drive about 100-120 miles a day for work, 5 days a week. I was spending hundreds of dollars a year on maintenance for my gas cars, and gas prices are constantly increasing and fluctuate regularly. I charge my car at home every night, and only use Superchargers for long trips. I drive about 2,000 miles a month for work, and it costs me about $50 a month at 10 cents per KWH for my electricity. The only maintenance I have had is a tire rotation, which was done by Tesla mobile service in my own driveway. I sit in my car for about 10 hours per week, and the driver seat is the most comfortable seat I have ever sat in!  This car is comfortable for any size driver too, from big and tall, to short and small. No issues at all! The entertainment system sounds beautiful no matter what you are listening to, and bluetooth calls are perfectly clear on both ends. The screen is extremely easy to use and looks absolutely gorgeous. Everything on the display looks crisp and sharp whether you're using the backup camera or watching movies on Netflix.  Autopilot, the base one that is included in all Tesla cars, is absolutely amazing! I use autopilot daily, and it has made my drive less taxing and more relaxing! There are absolutely no blind-spots in this car and the handling is amazing in every weather condition. I could go on forever about how amazing this vehicle is, and I try to get every person I know to test-drive it and see for themselves. So far, not one single person has been un-impressed. After 17,000 miles I am still in love with it, and look forward to every minute spent behind the wheel of this amazing machine! 

See Tech Specs - Tesla Model 3

Video

Tesla referral link

sara62053

Tesla Model 3 Photos

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Discussion

  • 2021-07-15 13:50:47 UTC

    nice review

    Love your enthusiasm for your car. rated your review 10/10.
    Didn’t you look at the ModelY over the Model 3?
  • 2021-07-15 17:21:19 UTC

    GM and Ford

    Hi, Sara. Thanks for the awesome review of your model 3!
    A few years old Tesla makes better cars than GM and Ford combined :))
  • 2021-07-15 17:30:41 UTC

    your review

    I've rated 10/10 :)
  • 2021-07-19 16:55:32 UTC

    insurance of your Tesla

    Hi Sara. Your review is excellent. :)
    I was wondering how much does it cost you to insure a model 3 for a year? Thank you.
  • 2021-07-30 21:43:00 UTC

    What are you driving now?

    What are you driving now? While your Tesla's under repair? :)
    What's wrong?
  • 2021-09-23 17:57:20 UTC

    Cybertruck

    There's a lot of pickup trucks in Texas, do you have a Cybertruck reserved? :)
  • 2023-03-29 19:47:21 UTC

    Tesla 3

    Great review Sara! I follow you on YouTube too. :)

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