Bolt Owners Test Drive a Project Highland Model 3

We are considering adding a used Model 3 to our personal "fleet" so we made an online appointment and got to take a demo ride in a brand new Tesla Model 3 with the Project Highland refresh. Join us to hear our thoughts on how the car compares to our Bolt, and see some of the features.
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
01:39 - The Tesla Model 3 Project Highland
03:24 - Start of the Demo Drive
17:02 - Mid Demo Walk Around
18:53 - Frunk
19:38 - Trunk
20:30 - Getting In
21:58 - Interior
25:42 - The Drive Resumes
35:13 - Sad Trombone

[@robertgamble7497]

There is an “Easy Exit” setting that moves the seat and wheel to a position that makes is easy to get into and out of the Tesla model 3 (all models). And it activates automatically when you put it in park.

[@loupoulain8103]

Best test drive video. Loved. Your ongoing commentary.

[@lesterng5748]

Yeah the red light on the speaker is the blind spot monitor.

[@Uchejnr]

If you can definitely make sure it’s a gen 2 model 3. So with the black trim around the windows, door handles etc and then no gloss interior. These introduced the heat pump so range will be better in the winter for you. You’re definitely making the right choice with getting a model 3. Your road trip experience will be even better

[@patrick7228]

Not sure if it will change once the Supercharger network is available to all, but right now definitely feel like if you are going to be a 2 ev family, one has to be a Tesla. Enjoyed the vid. Your road trip vids will be boring now 😂. The supercharger network is so easy. CCS is half the excitement.

[@Qrail]

It is always fun to tag along with you.

[@henvan8737]

Hello from Australia. The outside mirrors pane down in reverse has been in all Model 3s, done as a software update. You can turn it off as well. I would stay clear of the 2019 M3 as it has the older thermal management system. The rear view mirrors have auto darkening for night time driving. For vehicle entry you can use Easy Entry which moves the seat and steering wheel out the way and as soon as you put your foot on the brake pedal these move to your profile setting. For normal use you don't need the RFID card, you use your phone for almost every car function including Centry mode, charging, temp alerts etc. For normal driving you don't to access the screen. You can open the glove box using voice commands, same with GPS programming. Like say navigate home.

[@ondago2]

Reverse doing mirrors by the way were available at least all the way back to the 1992 Cadillac Seville and every since and probably before on many many vehicles. But, it's in a Tesla and you think they invented the function. So Apple amazed over stiff Samsung Galaxy had for half a decade.

[@SteveRowe]

Good luck with your plans to upgrade to a model 3. I also want a model 3 and cannot yet afford it. I'll keep driving my Bolt until the wheels fall off, I guess.

[@erics3937]

Can confirm that I also don't care for the egress experience on low sitting vehicles. First test drive of a Bolt was a pleasant surprise; so easy! I assumed from past videos discussing future, longer road trips that you'd be looking for a different EV. My wife would brain me if I insisted on doing an over 1000 mile trip in the Bolt. I mean, it would be fine with no time constraints, but otherwise too many hours charging. If we went ICE free, the other vehicle would be a Tesla.

[@blythegimble2576]

That's great Bolt Tesla!!

[@nihongobenkyoshimasu3190]

23:50 I wish you took a look at the rear video display. I think this is a nice feature, however I wonder if having to look down is comfortable?

[@kevinfernando3167]

You can also do what tesla calls an overnight test drive where you can have more time to get adjusted to everything on the car!

[@GeorgeKnighton]

Thanks for asking your viewers to inform you about the extra blind spot monitor instead of scaring the hell out of somebody by testing it on the road. :-) Yes, that's what it is. I've tested a long range Highland, and I recognise its advances. After three years in a Bolt EV, I went to a Mach-E GT Performance after testing Model Y Performance and not being so impressed. Considering the price, if Highland had been around when I wanted to leave the Bolt experience, I admit that I'd have been tempted. The Mach-E GT Performance is better than the improved Highland, IMHO, for a number of reasons. But there's no denying that in that price range the new Model 3 would be hard to beat and it's probably a logical choice for people ready to move on from the Bolt EV. Thanks very much for your ongoing, logical videos for everyday people.

[@TXlowlifeTX]

I leased and got the 7500 rebate to lower the down payment. Went from blowing 12k to 5.5k on the initial purchase. Of course, my situation is super different than well-established adults like ya’ll. Just want to put it out there you can still lease with a 7500 tax incentive.

[@EV-Darryl]

Great video. Please watch my video on the “rental car recap” where I drove a model 3 for a week after I rented it from Hertz. Even though the tech is awesome and charging is great, the car was not as comfortable as our bolt and sits way to low to the ground for an older fella like me. Stay safe

[@Lifesurfer001-iq7nf]

Your wife is so cool. I wish more people were like her.

[@Mrbfgray]

Appears to be 4 buttons and a paddle on backside of steering wheel. 37:00

[@thomasjacques5286]

By from Tesla as they add another year warranty and start in 2022 to get all the latest updates, as a minimum you want a Tesla with the heat pump/OctoValve, 15.5V lithium battery, laminated glass, revised interior, faster MCU to run FSD without restrictions and suspension tweaks.

[@junehanzawa5165]

If you wanted a Model 3 that's not a Highland, the best thing would have been getting one before the end of the year. They were below $30,000 after the rebate. In a few states as low as $25,000. That was for a brand new one. As for the Highland, they'll probably become rebate eligible again in a couple of month's or so. Except perhaps for the LFP version. But keep in mind that Model Y will keep dropping in price as the year progresses, as Tesla wants to sell as many as possible before the upgraded Juniper model becomes available at the start of next year. The standard model is already down to $35,490 after the rebate. And likely much chaper in states such as Colorado after their state rebates, which isn't too far from you. Or like you said, a new Y from inventory for around $33,000 and then get an extra $5,000 off if you buy it in Colorado. Which I believe you have to go out of state anyway, since Texas does not allow Tesla to sell cars there. Is that not the case?

[@SpinnerEV]

Tesla sells in Texas

[@junehanzawa5165]

@@SpinnerEV Really. I was under the impression that Tesla could not legally sell in Texas due to the dealership monopoly. A Google search still states as such.

[@SpinnerEV]

My brother in law bought one new from a Tesla location in Fort Worth two years ago. Multiple service and delivery centers in my area.

[@Longsnowsm]

You guys are on the same wave length that I am. The used Model 3's prices are coming down and the Highland upgraders should drop a lot of "old" model 3's in the market. Tesla battery conditioning, pre-conditioning, and charging network make it worth considering for my own needs. The Bolt really has its limits in the winter and with the charging speed. Like you said longer road trips beyond regional travel in the Bolt is challenging unless you have lots of time on your hands. I will probably be waiting until next year before I make a jump if things work out. I prefer the look of the old M3 to the refreshed one. I find getting out of the low vehicles is harder than getting in. The M3 is very efficient. It would be a good road tripper. That is too bad on the used credit through Tesla in TX. Doesn't sound right.

[@KirkandRA]

We have a 2020 Buick with push button start but when I get in my 04 Jeep I try to push to start. Muscle memory is a b*tch

[@jigs8437]

If you want to purchase a used M3 make sure it has low miles on it as more miles would also mean the battery pack has some degradation

[@jigs8437]

That's exactly the reason i bought Model Y vs Model 3 is because of higher from the ground vs lower to the ground and me being a huge guy model 3 was always a challenge to get in and out plus surprisingly Model Y was cheaper than the Model 3 so it was a lot easier for me to make a decision

[@The._.Truth-.-]

No need to hit the P, when you stop and open the drive’s door it will change to park automatically.

[@Mrbfgray]

Such as rt mirror aiming down in reverse is simply software and almost certainly optional in the settings. NO reason an old M3 wouldn't have the feature.

[@retiredtexan8331]

You can mitigate the tax rebate delay by lowering your withholding for a few months. I own a Y RWD and think it would be a better value for you over 5 years.

[@pasoroblesbruce7370]

How about a Tesla vacation rental?

[@SpinnerEV]

Thought about that

[@pasoroblesbruce7370]

@@SpinnerEV hi regarding level 2 home charging. In summer our garage can get really hot inside during the night. Will garage temperature affect the car charging ability or the wall charger? I am going on 3 months with 2023 bolt euv and is my first EV. Live in paso robles ca and summers can get really hot over 100 and winters around 28 at night.

[@SpinnerEV]

@pasoroblesbruce7370 we have no garage, so our charger is outdoors, but covered/shaded. We live in north Texas, and triple digit heat is no stranger. The car may kick on cooling fans, but we haven’t had a problem. I’d think you’d be fine.

[@davidwebber8356]

You mentioned a lot of different features that you weren't sure were in older Tesla mod 3's. All offered features regardless of the year of the car are upgraded automatically through software updates. This is something I don't think most manufactures do well yet. Tesla does this very well...

[@DS-mz7dy]

I'm sure you are aware but when and if you purchase a used Tesla, you may be spending additional money on tires, depending on the miles on the car. Not sure how fast Teslas go through tires.

[@hvu6037]

That's not always true. Just as with all cars, it's all how you drive. Put in chill mode and don't stomp on the accelerator all the times then your tires can last longer, if they're quality tires and rated for the extra weight of EVs.

[@rp9674]

Rebate - if you incorrectly take it, you must pay it back. The system's incentives are a little broken.

[@dclpgh]

Tesla's don't use radar

[@ondago2]

OMG !!!! Phones charging. "Is the Galaxy even capable of wireless charging?" Uh, yeah YEARS before your previous Apple products could. Always amazed me how Apple phone owners always think They got features first and in fact created them when in fact almost every feature they share came in Samsung Galaxy S first and rings off features Apple never did it will get and if so it's always like 5 years later. Too funny!

[@MAGApepe]

dont buy a used one,, you will be sorry

[@rp9674]

Fortunately price made an easy decision to go Bolt, which was beyond max I wanted to pay. I don't want to support musk, he's dangerous & not sure about long term maintenance, hard to get unbiased info. Thinking about used Polestar for my next. Push/pull flush handles are good, would hate auto handles. Bolts have color matched handles for the win!

[@SpinnerEV]

Not a huge Elon fan myself, but it’s a nice car nonetheless.

[@rp9674]

​@@SpinnerEVagree, I miss Musk the genius vs Musk the a-hole. His recent comments on an accident question his cred (Electrek)

[@rp9674]

​@@SpinnerEVI'm 80% Tesla hater, 20% defender.

[@rp9674]

I have the same leg stretch prob in Bolt, not enough telescope. 500e had none, dreamed about the extension mod.

[@ericgregori]

Musk is more dangerous than the UAW? How?