Used 2017 Tesla Model 3 Performance for sale 

Starting at a price of $36,000, the 2017 Model 3 Sedan is a compact and luxurious electric vehicle with the inclusion of tons of futuristic technologies. The 2017 Tesla Model-3 is offered in two major trims, one being the standard and the second being the long-range. As standard, it includes a rearview camera, navigation system, and lane departure warning system. The exclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration does come as a surprise.

What do we recommend?

Tesla Model 3 is known for its array of advanced features with both trim levels. As a result, any trim option you opt for seems to an apt choice. Amongst the two trims, we recommend the Long Range trim of the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan that comes with an optional Premium Upgrade package featuring 19-inch wheels, enhanced autopilot, and full self-driving capability. It sports best-in-class features like lane-keeping assist, automatic parking, and automatic lane changing. 

The powerful 258 horsepower single electric motor of the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan uses a lithium-ion battery pack and smoothly gains speed and is exceptionally quiet when doing so. It provides a strong torque right away and it is very responsive even at slow speeds. There is no shifting, thanks to the direct-drive transmission and the transmission from acceleration to higher speeds is quite easy to manage.

Among all the four electric vehicles, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan proves to have the best performing engine with the highest horsepower of 258. It is followed by the Chevrolet Bolt with a horsepower output of 200. Sharing a fair engine power is the BMW i3 and the Nissan Leaf with an equal horsepower of 170. So quite evidently, we know who wins the race in this aspect.

2017 Tesla Model 3 Acceleration

The 258 horsepower electric motor of the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan generates ample thrust and due to the absence of shifting interruptions, it moves out seamlessly and puts out a smooth acceleration. In addition to the better acceleration is the rear-wheel-drive which contributes significantly towards balancing the vehicle and giving the driver enough confidence to race down the road. Put your foot down on the pedal and the Model 3 clinches to the tarmac almost instanteously. 

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan is a strategically crafted amalgamation of responsive acceleration and confident cornering, and even though it's not an ideal sports sedan, it is definitely among the fastest electric vehicles on the market.

As discussed above, leading the table with the strongest engine, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan has the best initial acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in a whopping 4.6 seconds and it outperforms all of its rivals by quite a margin as the second-fastest in the lot is the Nissan Leaf with a timing of 6.3 seconds to reach the 60 mph mark. With a difference of only a couple of milliseconds, the Chevrolet Bolt comes third in hitting 60 mph in 6.5 seconds whereas the BMW i3 turns out to be the slowest among the four with an acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 7 seconds.

Over a quarter-mile, things don't change at all for the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan as it still is the fastest to cover the distance in 13.3 seconds. It's a little different for the other three as the Chevrolet manages to bounce back with the second-fastest timing of 14.9 seconds and also the BMW with the slowest acceleration does well over the quarter-mile, covering the distance in 15.6 seconds. Last but not least is the Nissan Leaf which performed better than the other two with its initial acceleration, fails to hold on, and becomes the last to cross the quarter-mile mark in 17.3 seconds. None of the vehicles have any emissions because of their electrical orientation.

2017 Tesla Model 3 Braking

The Tesla Model 3 makes use of fixed brake calipers which improve the performance potential, manifold. It makes use of regenerative braking, which gives the driver a sense of respite in the braking situation. Equipped with four-wheel ABS and automatic emergency braking assist feature, the Model 3 performs exceedingly well in the deceleration test and covers the minimum ground before coming to a halt. 

As it is the fastest in accelerating, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan is the fastest in braking as well. In comparison to its rivals, Tesla brings the car to a halt from 60 mph in just 119 feet. It's followed by the BMW i3 with a distance of 125 feet, which has a lot to do with its light curb weight. Next up is the Nissan Leaf with the third-best distance of 129 feet and the Chevrolet Bolt, the heaviest of them all, comes last by stopping at 132 feet when coming down from 60 to 0 mph.

2017 Tesla Model 3 Handling and Steering

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan showcases impressive balance during entering corners, transitioning through the bend, and exiting it powerfully. The heavy battery is the reason behind its low center of gravity and the weight distribution from front to rear is quite uniform. These two aspects are the pillars for its outstanding handling capabilities. 

The 18-inch wheels can be a little bothering in matters of handling but the optional 19-inch wheels perform better. As for the steering wheel, it is very quick off the center and is nicely weighted with minimal feedback. It offers you three different settings to choose from - Standard, Comfort, and Sport. In terms of drivability, the Tesla Model 3 can be an apt partner for both the city trips and the highway sprints, credits to a responsive powertrain setup. 

Also Read:

• Here's how quick the 2017 BMW i3 is
• Here's a look at the acceleration capabilities of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt

The efficiency of the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan along with all the other electric cars is measured by MPGe which is a unit to measure the efficiency of an electric vehicle compared to gasoline-based cars. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan has a rating of 130 MPGe, which means it can cover a range of 130 miles from an amount of electrical energy that is equal to the energy contained in one gallon of gasoline. It has an increased economy of 136 MPGe in cities while it suffers on the highways with 123 MPGe. Other than the Tesla can drive up to a distance of 310 miles on a single charge, longer than any of the other electric vehicles in the market.

The BMW i3 also gets an option to add a gasoline two-cylinder engine that offers an extra range. However, the Long-Range version can give you a total of 310 miles, which is considerably above segment standards. The 2017 Nissan Leaf is the car that offers the least EV range and simply feels inadequate in the Tesla era. We have to note that the Long Range version comes standard with AWD, and does not decline even an inch in performance. 

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan has a flat and low interior floor which gives an airy and spacious feel inside. The front seats are very comfortable and supportive although the rear seat suffers from the lack of thigh support and the low bottom cushion leads to an uncomfortable experience. The flat leather seats are broad and are not hard. The seat adjustments are quite simple to manage and are very effective. There is a capacious that surrounds the cabin and as a result, the Model 3 can seat five passengers without any difficulty. 

In terms of fit and finish, the Tesla Model 3 isn't as likable as its competitors. While there is an uncluttered design to the dashboard and the entire cabin setup, it does feel lackluster in terms of quality. However, what does work immensely in the vehicle's favor is that the ride quality remains supreme at all times. Adding to it, the cabin is as silent as a library and there is essentially no noise that seeps in. 

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan along with the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Bolt has a passenger capacity of 5 while the BMW i3 houses only 4 passengers. As for the front row headroom, the Nissan Leaf takes the spotlight while the Tesla and the BMW share the lowest figures. However, Tesla manages to climb back up with generous legroom while the BMW still suffers. When we go to the second row, the Chevrolet impresses with the most spacious headroom and legroom, while the BMW continues to suffer in these aspects as well. Some of the interior features in the 2017 Tesla Model 3 are:

• Bucket front seats
• Split-folding rear seatback
• Remote keyless power door locks
• 4 one-touch power windows
• Rearview camera
• Electric power steering
• Climate control
• Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror

2017 Tesla Model 3 Infotainment System

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan comes with a standard 15-inch infotainment system that has nearly all the functions of the car built into it and is well organized and easy to use. It also features a Google-based navigation system and the Premium Upgrades package offers you an updated audio system with a wide spectrum of sound. 

The tablet-like interface is much easier to navigate and has a computer-like intuition. However, the system is tough to operate on the go. The integration of air-con controls, which includes the air-vent angles is cumbersome to operate on the go. With all modern amenities, the Tesla Model 3 feels heavily equipped, yet it misses out on the oh, so essential, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

Some of its notable infotainment features include:

• Real-time traffic
• Navigation and voice control
• Bluetooth phone
• Mobile Wi-Fi
• USB port
• Remote control Smartphone application

2017 Tesla Model 3 Cargo Capacity

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan comes with a trunk that can be as spacious as a hatchback. It is wide and broad and also has a secret deep well under the floor of the cargo area. 

The rear seats when folded flat increase the cargo space significantly. Given its space, the Tesla Model 3 is a perfect fit for both weekend and golfing trips. 

When compared to the other rivals, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan has the least cargo volume of 15 cubic feet, only a point less than the BMW i3 with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The Chevrolet Bolt enjoys the most spacious trunk volume with 16.9 cubic feet.

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The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan enjoys fairly massive exterior dimensions and it just amplifies its presence on the road. The Model-3 comes with the typical Tesla design which looks like a catfish. However, the Model-3 surprisingly looks more aerodynamic and more EV in one glace. 

As a choice, you can get up to 19-inch wheels and also choose from a wide array of exterior paint choices. The large glass roof offers a roomy cabin and also a contrasting exterior look. The extra motor and larger battery pack in the Long Range version make the car heavier up to 3838 lbs from the standard version which weighs 3459 lbs.

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan boasts to be the longest, widest and has the largest wheelbase along with being the shortest in height among the others. The BMW i3 is the lightest among the four is also short in length and has the least wheelbase. The Nissan Leaf has fairly balanced dimensions meanwhile the Chevrolet Bolt other than being the heaviest in the group is also the tallest and least wide. Some of the exterior features in the 2017 Tesla Model 3 are:

• Speed sensitive wipers
• LED headlamp
• Fixed rear window with defroster
• Black grille with chrome surround
• Light tinted glass
• Variable intermittent wipers
• Front fog lamps
• Trunk rear cargo access

The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan features quite a number of active safety options and advanced systems like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Autopilot feature is the most significant of them all. IIHS has given the highest safety rating for the Model-3 in both crash mitigation and strength NHTSA has also given the Model 3 a five out of five ratings in terms of safety, which makes the car one of the safest on our roads. 

• Lane Departure Warning
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Blind Spot Sensor
• Forward Collision and Rear Collision
• Left Side Camera
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor

Also Read:

• Is the 2017 Tesla Model 3 reliable enough?
• What are the safety features that make the Tesla Model 3 dependable?

2017 Tesla Model 3 vs 2017BMW i3

The BMW i3 is reputed as a unique and unconventional electric car. The carbon fiber and aluminum structure of the BMW derives its energy from the 170 horsepower electric motor and has an optional 184 horsepower electric motor allotted to its i3s trim sporty version which has phenomenal driving dynamics and great suspension. When compared to the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan, the BMW has a less powerful engine, slow acceleration, and braking and thus, it needs some tweaking on its end to put up a stronger fight. In addition, the BMW also loses out on space for an extra passenger on the inside and its design is also polarizing. 

2017 Tesla Model 3 vs 2017 Nissan Leaf

The new Nissan Leaf is an ideal electric vehicle for everyday usability due to its long driving range. The 40kwh battery runs the electric motor and has an economy of 151 MPGe. It features DC quick charging that has the capability of recharging 90 miles worth of power in 30 minutes. Adding to that, the camera-based self-steering lane-keeping assist and proPilot assist adaptive cruise control is optional. In comparison with the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan, it lacks engine performance, has very poor acceleration and braking and hence, it still doesn't match the standards of the Tesla.

2017 Tesla Model 3 vs 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV

The quick and exciting new Chevrolet Bolt is really worth its value, thanks to its floor-mounted battery powering its electric motor and generating a horsepower of 200. It has a range of 190 miles in a single charge and 96 MPGe of efficiency. The acceleration is great and it drives significantly well over rough terrains. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible infotainment system have a 10.2-inch touch screen and an additional 8-inch digital gauge are eye-catching interior features. Up against the 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan, the engine is less powerful yet decent, the acceleration suffers a little and so does the braking. It does have larger cargo space and hence, all these factors make it the only tough competition with Tesla.

Putting up a strong fight and impressed us with its practicality, the 2017 Tesla Model 3 has earned its spot among the best electric vehicles in the market and we would recommend it to you with all confidence. It is multifaceted and all-purpose, satisfying your daily driver requirements with aplomb. Being a traditional electric vehicle, it is both efficient and effective. While its interior build is not at par with its competitors, it remains on top of its game when usability and practicality are concerned. The Model 3 houses both an advanced safety and infotainment system.   It's strong, big, and definitely worth every penny you spend for it. The 2017 Tesla Model 3 Sedan is the future!