Why the Tesla Model 3 is a Perfect Option for Any Regular Driver

Obviously, there are almost infinite ICE car options within that price range, but taking into account factors such as the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) that obviously considers the financial part of the equation, and more importantly, sustainability and care for the environment (let's just take the example of the oil spill in California this last weekend ... not to go to much more extreme examples), we have that the Model 3 is a perfect combination of sustainability, energy efficiency, economy and mainly: zero polluting emissions.

No ICE-type car can even remotely come close to the Model 3's performance in terms of efficiency and environmental protection. Let´s take a look a some of the basic features: according to Tesla, safety is the most important part of the overall Model 3 design. In that sense, the metal structure it uses is a combination of aluminum and steel, for maximum strength in every area. In a roof-crush test, Model 3 resisted four times its own mass, even with an all-glass roof: that's the same weight as two full-grown African elephants. Model 3 achieved a NHTSA 5-star safety rating in every category and subcategory with its energy absorbent crash structure, rigid passenger compartment, incredible side impact protection and one of the lowest rollover risks of any sedan on the road.

As for performance, the Model 3 comes with the option of dual motor all-wheel drive, 20” Überturbine Wheels, Performance Brakes and lowered suspension for total control, in all weather conditions. And a carbon fiber spoiler improves stability at high speeds, all allowing Model 3 to accelerate from 0-60 mph in as little as 3.1 seconds (the Performance model). It has performance pedals designed with aluminum alloy for enhanced interior styling. The All-Wheel Drive version brings two independent motors for improved redundancy, each with only one moving part for minimal maintenance and maximum durability. Unlike traditional all-wheel drive systems, Tesla digitally controls torque to the front and rear wheels for far better handling and traction control.

For many people, especially the ones that come from the ´ICE´ world, range is a key feature: with a Model 3, being fully electric, you never need to visit a gas station again. If you charge overnight at home, you can wake up to a full battery every morning. And when you’re on the road, it’s easy to plug in along the way—at any public station or with the Tesla charging network. They currently have over 25,000 Superchargers worldwide, with six new locations opening every week, according to their website. It has one of the longest driving ranges of any vehicle in the luxury hybrid and electric car class, which should soothe range anxiety concerns. The rest of its performance is similarly impressive, with deft handling and lightning-quick acceleration.

The Autopilot's advanced safety and convenience features (or ´FSD´) are designed to assist you with the most burdensome parts of driving: 360° rear, side and forward-facing cameras provide maximum visibility; powerful visual processing at up to 250 meters of range; 12 ultrasonic sensors that detect nearby cars, prevent potential collisions and assist with parking. The inside of Model 3 is unlike any other car: you can use your smartphone as a key, and access all driver controls in the central 15-inch touchscreen. The all-glass roof extends from front to back, creating a sense of openness from every seat.

Regarding price retention, used Teslas tend to be priced high, and with the rising demand, as well as lack of new vehicles readily available, chances are they'll climb even more. While the Tesla Model S has a pretty bad resale record, the Model 3 seems to be holding its value incredibly well, with a 2017 Model 3 retaining around 77% of its value, according to CarEdge. Other data sources indicate that the Tesla Model 3 can retain its resale value over 5 times better than all other electric cars and about 4 times better than all cars in general. That being said, I would definitely recommend a Model 3 to anyone considering BEV as their next purchase.

Nico Caballero is the VP of Finance of Cogency Power, specializing in solar energy. He also holds a Diploma in Electric Cars from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and enjoys doing research about Tesla and EV batteries. He can be reached at @NicoTorqueNews on Twitter. Nico covers Tesla and electric vehicle latest happenings at Torque News.