One week with a Model 3

We picked up our model 3 exactly one week ago today. The delivery experience was relaxed, unhurried, informational, and inspiring. We spent about one hour with the delivery team chatting about dogs, signing papers, and orientation. We could have done it in 5 minutes or two hours, it was strictly up to us. After an hour, we were ready to hit the road.......and then the fun really began!

Although the model 3 is a completely different type of automobile (it's more like a space ship) than our PIP/AT, it is the only thing we have to compare.

The PIP/AT Prius had a sticker price of around $40,000 six years ago. The Model 3 cost right at $42,500 after the credits and rebates.

What we like better about the Prius:

• Toyota's SKS is better for us than the Smartphone access to the model 3. Our Smartphone has worked perfectly and flawlessly every time this last week but it is just more convenient for us to carry a small fob than a much larger Smartphone.
• It appears to me that the storage capacity of the model 3 is about the same as the Prius. However, it is much easier to load the Prius with the large hatch than with the Tesla trunk.
• The Prius has a much better view through the rear view mirror. But, you can turn on the model 3 rear camera at any time, including on the freeway. Can't do that in our PIP.
• The paint finish on the Prius (both cars are Pearl White) is slightly better from less than two feet away. A bit more orange peal in the Tesla finish. The Prius pearl color is more "yellowish" and Tesla more "bluish."

What we like better about the model 3:

• The power! This car (the slowest one Tesla makes right now) will slap you right back into your seat when you punch it. I never thought I would use that much power, but it surprises me how useful it is in some situations, like merging traffic
• The model 3 is much more quiet even when the PIP is in EV mode. The silence is deafening!
• The regen braking is much more useful and powerful in the model 3. It is truly one pedal driving.
• The model 3 seats are much more comfortable
• The model 3 heated seats are far superior than than the Prius heated seats. The Prius seat heater switches are hidden under the flying bridge console and take attention from the road when activating. The model 3 is one simple tap on the screen.
• Model 3 side mirrors automatically switch downward when shifting into reverse and then back to preset position when shifting into drive. Extremely useful.
• The model 3 Adaptive Cruise Control is light years better than the 2012 Prius ACC.
• The Tesla User Interface screen is fantastic! All cars will have this sometime in the future.
• The model 3 has a firmer, sportier suspension which we think makes the car feel more "planted." The Prius suspension now feels "mushy" to us.
• The air conditioning system in the model 3 is far superior for variability and control than the Prius.
• The sound system and streaming music is very advanced. Nothing like that on the PUP.
• Finally, no more waiting and expense at a gas station, we charge at home at night. Gas Goodbye.

What is the same:

• fit and finish, panel gaps, both exterior and interior, are similar
• Our Prius has the Vegan leather interior. Model 3 interior materials are very similar.

My wife, who was very happy with the Prius, keeps telling me (a couple of times a day) how much she loves the model 3, how easy it is to drive, and how much fun it is. Neither one of us wants to drive the Prius anymore. It will be sold soon.

 

Thanks @bisco you should consider a test drive to wet your appetite for the coming Model Y.

Samsung S8 Android running the latest OS. Absolutely no complaints other than being tethered to a Smartphone. The keycard works great too but is a hassle to pull out of my wallet when I want to use it.

LOVE the aircraft style door handles. It is possible to scratch the finish with any style door handle if you are careless - rings, long fingernails, car keys in your hand, etc.

Nope, can't do that just like the Prius, other Tesla models, and most other cars. The most useful system is where you wave your foot under the "bumper" and the trunk pops open. Maybe Tesla will offer it sometime in the future.

No, in fact there is less distraction with Tesla's touch screen than all the buttons and knobs on my Prius. Another thing there is a lot less ambient light in the interior with the model 3 at night. The user screen has auto night lighting with different colors that makes the interior dark but the screen easier to read. The PUP instrument cluster is way brighter and distracting at night. I can actually see better at night in the Tesla than I can in the Prius.

I understand your logic, I am sure the model S (and Prius) easier to load large objects. At my age, I rarely need to carry a lot of stuff in the trunk, so that is not a big issue for me, but it could be for other people. The model 3 can carry a bicycle, surfboard or an 8 foot piece of lumber with the trunk closed........but not in my model 3!

I waited 2 years and 9 months for my model 3.

 

Yeah, Tesla is now selling a fob for $150 but they are sold out with no idea when they will be back in stock. They aren't even taking a waiting list. I don't know if I will buy one when available because they aren't a passive unit like Toyota SKS (or the Model S fob). You have to pull it out of your pocket and punch buttons to unlock the car/trunk/frunk. Kind of defeats the purpose.

Correct, we are currently using the higher regen. Will have to try the lower regen and compare. I'm sure there will be pros and cons to both.

210 wh/m is really good. My goal is to get in the very low 200's

Mike, how was your delivery experience, fit and finish, paint? Maybe I'm an anomaly.

 

There are two regen settings Standard (High) and Low (Low). We have now tried both. Wife prefers Low and I prefer Standard. It is easy to switch between the two. Tesla recommends Standard to increase range. So, we will use Low around town and Standard on trips more than 10 miles on the freeway.

Thanks for the tip! I tried it and it works great! This has solved that issue.

Just discovered one more thing I like better in the Prius, - Passenger Assist Handles (sissy handles) over each window. Tesla doesn't have them and I already miss them. I'm going to see if they can be added aftermarket.

 

The Tesla systems are pretty intuitive compared to the Samsung phone where I received a 4 page owners manual and still can't figure out how some things work!

 

What would you like?