I drove the Model 3 Highland base model today in Burbank CA, and I used to own and drive 2018 Model 3 LR RWD for 4 years.
OVERALL DRIVING IMPRESSION:
The car drives AWESOME. Equally as good as Legacy Model 3. It's so fun. Handling and responsiveness are VERY good. A bit slow 0 to 20mph, but fast after that.
MASSIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN HIGHLAND Model 3:
1) Quiet cabin, almost zero wind noise, almost zero road noise. Even at 80mph on highway. This was sooooooooo much quieter than I was expecting. Cabin quietness similar to Lexus.
2) Exterior looking at the front of the car and headlights looks WAY better. Huge upgrade.
SETBACKS
3) Front seats are not as comfortable anymore. They're still good, but nowhere near as plush and cushiony as the 3/Y seats before.
4) Speakers are noticeably worse/tinny sounding compared to a 2021 base model RWD demo drive I did in the past. Slacker wasn't working, sound was tested using multiple radio stations.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
5) Suspension was more comfortable, but not WAY more comfortable.
6) Interior is slightly nicer, but not much. Still feels cheap and sparse compared to my 2016 X. Interior is NOTHING like a luxury car, my 2001 Lexus was way nicer.
7) 2nd row screen is really nice, and the ability to control climate and move/arrange the air vents was great.
8) I like the removal of stalks better. I like keeping my hand on the wheel when signaling turns.
9) Cooled seats were OK. Not great. Nowhere near as good as Rivian R1S cooled seats.
10) 2nd row seats and armrest were slighly improved.
11) Ambient LED interior lighting doesn't add to anything during the day, might be cool at night. Not sure.
12) Probably has HW4 with sharper cameras but I didn't test autopilot.
STILL THE SAME
13) It's way too small and cramped in Model 3. Model Y and X are wayyyyyy nicer to be inside with so much more space. 2nd row passengers still can't put toes under front seats, sadly.
14) No floor mats included. Wow.
Hope this helps.
OVERALL DRIVING IMPRESSION:
The car drives AWESOME. Equally as good as Legacy Model 3. It's so fun. Handling and responsiveness are VERY good. A bit slow 0 to 20mph, but fast after that.
MASSIVE IMPROVEMENTS IN HIGHLAND Model 3:
1) Quiet cabin, almost zero wind noise, almost zero road noise. Even at 80mph on highway. This was sooooooooo much quieter than I was expecting. Cabin quietness similar to Lexus.
2) Exterior looking at the front of the car and headlights looks WAY better. Huge upgrade.
SETBACKS
3) Front seats are not as comfortable anymore. They're still good, but nowhere near as plush and cushiony as the 3/Y seats before.
4) Speakers are noticeably worse/tinny sounding compared to a 2021 base model RWD demo drive I did in the past. Slacker wasn't working, sound was tested using multiple radio stations.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS
5) Suspension was more comfortable, but not WAY more comfortable.
6) Interior is slightly nicer, but not much. Still feels cheap and sparse compared to my 2016 X. Interior is NOTHING like a luxury car, my 2001 Lexus was way nicer.
7) 2nd row screen is really nice, and the ability to control climate and move/arrange the air vents was great.
8) I like the removal of stalks better. I like keeping my hand on the wheel when signaling turns.
9) Cooled seats were OK. Not great. Nowhere near as good as Rivian R1S cooled seats.
10) 2nd row seats and armrest were slighly improved.
11) Ambient LED interior lighting doesn't add to anything during the day, might be cool at night. Not sure.
12) Probably has HW4 with sharper cameras but I didn't test autopilot.
STILL THE SAME
13) It's way too small and cramped in Model 3. Model Y and X are wayyyyyy nicer to be inside with so much more space. 2nd row passengers still can't put toes under front seats, sadly.
14) No floor mats included. Wow.
Hope this helps.
.
