Hi
Although Tesla is constantly trying to antisell Model 3 in favor of Model S, I disagree mostly with them. To me, Model 3 is the better car than Model S, independent of the cheaper price and the lack of some fancy features like automatic door handles.
1. Model S has no interior driver monitoring camera.
This means, even with advanced Autopilot software, you will probably be nagged with "Hands on" warnings in Model S, while Model 3 will be capable of more sophisticated driver awareness monitoring, with less "Hands on"-nagging. For autopilot fans, Model 3 is the Tesla car to go with.
2. Model 3 has better handling.
Model S has sporty acceleration and low center of gravity, which is good. Model 3 offers almost the same acceleration for the same price and the same low center of gravity, but better handling. Driving around corners, you feel the weight of Model S sometimes. Model 3 is a lot lighter and offers therefore a better handling around corners. Model 3 is probably more fun to drive.
3. Model 3 offers better road overview.
The Model 3 "bonnet" is much lower than the one of Model S. Therefore, you have the better view outside from the driver position. Model S feels quite claustrophobic sometimes.
4. Model 3 looks more modern.
Although Model S looks good, Model 3 looks better and much more modern. Model S looks "old" in comparison.
5. Model 3 is smaller.
This may sound a bit odd, but the size of Model S is a huge disadvantage here in Europe. Roads and parkings are not made for US full size cars. As a Model S / X owner, you have often issues parking your car, driving in cities with small roads and through construction areas. Model 3 has a big advantage in this area.
6. Model 3 has the better climate controls.
The new touch screen based climate fan direction control system is clearly superior to the clunky manual controls of Model S. It enables cool future software features like driver based personlized fan direction settings.
7. Model S has no smartphone entry system.
With Model S, you must always take a key fob with you. I don't like that. Leaving my home with just my smart phone (or NFC watch) with me is more appealing, as I can enter my home withouth key already. The Model 3 entry system looks more attractive to me.
To sum it up, Model 3 long-range with premium package and autopilot upgrade is just the better car than the Model S. Tesla needs to do much more than better bundlings of existing stuff with Model S in order to keep this car attractive for premium buyers. Not everybody is attracted by just insane acceleration and huge car dimensions. With even better versions of Model 3 coming (AWD, performance variants), Model S seem to near its end of life, if no major improvements are coming soon.
Although Tesla is constantly trying to antisell Model 3 in favor of Model S, I disagree mostly with them. To me, Model 3 is the better car than Model S, independent of the cheaper price and the lack of some fancy features like automatic door handles.
1. Model S has no interior driver monitoring camera.
This means, even with advanced Autopilot software, you will probably be nagged with "Hands on" warnings in Model S, while Model 3 will be capable of more sophisticated driver awareness monitoring, with less "Hands on"-nagging. For autopilot fans, Model 3 is the Tesla car to go with.
2. Model 3 has better handling.
Model S has sporty acceleration and low center of gravity, which is good. Model 3 offers almost the same acceleration for the same price and the same low center of gravity, but better handling. Driving around corners, you feel the weight of Model S sometimes. Model 3 is a lot lighter and offers therefore a better handling around corners. Model 3 is probably more fun to drive.
3. Model 3 offers better road overview.
The Model 3 "bonnet" is much lower than the one of Model S. Therefore, you have the better view outside from the driver position. Model S feels quite claustrophobic sometimes.
4. Model 3 looks more modern.
Although Model S looks good, Model 3 looks better and much more modern. Model S looks "old" in comparison.
5. Model 3 is smaller.
This may sound a bit odd, but the size of Model S is a huge disadvantage here in Europe. Roads and parkings are not made for US full size cars. As a Model S / X owner, you have often issues parking your car, driving in cities with small roads and through construction areas. Model 3 has a big advantage in this area.
6. Model 3 has the better climate controls.
The new touch screen based climate fan direction control system is clearly superior to the clunky manual controls of Model S. It enables cool future software features like driver based personlized fan direction settings.
7. Model S has no smartphone entry system.
With Model S, you must always take a key fob with you. I don't like that. Leaving my home with just my smart phone (or NFC watch) with me is more appealing, as I can enter my home withouth key already. The Model 3 entry system looks more attractive to me.
To sum it up, Model 3 long-range with premium package and autopilot upgrade is just the better car than the Model S. Tesla needs to do much more than better bundlings of existing stuff with Model S in order to keep this car attractive for premium buyers. Not everybody is attracted by just insane acceleration and huge car dimensions. With even better versions of Model 3 coming (AWD, performance variants), Model S seem to near its end of life, if no major improvements are coming soon.