Tesla Model 3 Highland Potential Customer Tests Car, Gives His Honest Impression

Tesla started deliveries of the refreshed Model 3 in Europe this week, with German and Dutch customers among the first to get the new electric sedan. Better known as Model 3 Highland, the revamped Model 3 comes with many improvements over the original model but also some omissions, reflecting the cost-cutting trend at the EV maker. We've covered most of the changes Tesla made to its base model, although nothing compares to what real customers think of the refreshed model.

Since no one has spent quality time with the Model 3 Highland, it's hard to make an objective impression. Still, as more people get to see it in person, and some even drive it as part of the purchase process, we get more feedback about the changes it brings, good and bad. One of the first potential customers to test drive the new Model 3 in the Netherlands shared his first impressions about the car. Since he already owns a 2020 Model 3, he couldn't help comparing the two vehicles.

Reddit user u/EpicBrievenbus visited a Tesla showroom intending to buy the new Model 3 for his wife. He took a test drive and was pretty excited about this, although the experience didn't turn out as he imagined. Although the new model has a fresh design that he appreciated, especially at the rear, he also felt like the 2024 Model 3 was a step back compared to his current car. But let's start with the positive impressions.

As we've said, the design marks a departure from the rather bland appearance of the original Model 3. The double-glazed windows, which extend to the rear doors in the case of the refreshed model, are also a notable improvement. They help reduce the noise significantly, which is most obvious when driving through tunnels. They also feel sturdier when you close the rear door by pushing the frameless window. Last but not least, the ventilated front seats make a difference during the warm days.

That's all for the plus column, with a lot more in the opposite one. Although the new cabin of the Model 3 has been praised as having a more upscale feel, EpicBrievenbus disagrees. The dashboard is the first that disappoints, as it lacks the wooden trim of the old model. The felt on the dashboard reflects on the windshield and will probably attract a lot of dust over the years. These are all minor nuisances or preferences, but there are also some deal breakers.

First, the lack of fog lights is the most concerning. Living in a rural area in the Netherlands, the fog is always an issue. Having the fog lights on the current Model 3 tremendously improves visibility in the fog. Headlights create a wall of light in dense fog, so fog lights are a must. They project the light lower, well below the driver's point of view. The lack of stalks is the other major setback. Even though the gear selector stalk is easily replaceable with the screen shift, the missing turn signal stalk is much harder to deal with.

EpicBrievenbus says the lack of indicator stalk is "annoying in city driving and an absolute nightmare on roundabouts." This could be a major issue for Tesla in Europe, even though die-hard Tesla fans insist that using the steering wheel buttons is actually better. As more people will get the refreshed Model 3, it will soon become clear what customers prefer. Keep in mind that the majority of Teslas sold in Europe have had stalks until now, with Model S/X sales being insignificant. The Model 3 Highland is the first high-volume stalkless model sold in Europe.