[VoltenRock]

Now that it's in pre-production and more "finalized" models are visible (and photographed), I have to say...wow, I'm underwhelmed.

Sure the tech might be interesting, but we're not even yet sure of the range.

But, purely in terms of looks, it seems very disproportionate to me. It doesn't appear "sleek" at all--which I'm quite surprised about. Maybe too much too expect a "mini" Model S?

Here's a recent shot:

Maybe the final production will be better, but the back is WAY too high and the front WAY too low. Maybe looks better in person or from a different angle, but overall from what I've seen, I don't feel I MUST get one based purely on looks.

Of course, my opinion won't matter. I suspect plenty will be getting in line just for the brand.

 

[marcusm]

Just on looks, Not impressed either. Looks like a lot of midsized cars. The Malibu is better looking.


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[firehawk72]

From that side angle, kind of fugly...

 

[rmay635703]

What did you expect?

If fan boys are buying Model 3's because of what they imagined they would look like and do of coarse they will be disappointed by the cost reduced mass production reality

 

[tlevy]

I am willing to put up with an ugly/unappealing or at best, "average" looking car, if it has a massive all electric range and drives like it looks. Think Nissan Leaf - ugly as sin (IMO), but....

 

[rickabe]

No Android Auto and no Regen paddle are deal killers to me. I'm addicted to my paddle...

 

[bro1999]

I thought the same thing today......Model S looks way better. The 3's nose is just......strange. and that side profile view....yikes.

 

[Mister Dave]

Dashboard spy shot.

[The] photos showing a close-up look at what’s presumably the final version of the Model 3 dashboard. As noted by Chief Elon Musk earlier this month, the dashboard doesn’t have a heads up display – much to the disappointment of HUD hopefuls worldwide. Noticeably present is the large landscape mounted center infotainment system which will also act as the main command center to the vehicle...Tesla Model 3 drivers will not have an instrument cluster with speedometer. After all, Elon Musk says "you won’t care"...A large digital readout resembling that of an oversized analog speedometer appears on the left side of the infotainment system and occupies nearly a third of the overall screen size.

 

[DonC]

Sports cars can be appealing, but it's hard to make a small sedan look sleek. Tesla wanted to evoke the Model S, and this design does that, but it's a squished Model S without any length. That said, you have to see cars in person. Photos can make them look better or worse.

In any event, I can't say that's it's ugly. More just not inspiring. Reliability and lack of room (and perhaps price) might be reasons to pass. Looks not so much.

 

[Jmaj]

First impression, looks like Fiesta sedan.

 

[Mister Dave]

Sports cars can be appealing, but it's hard to make a small sedan look sleek.

I'm calling BS.

 

[Qinsp]

It's unlikely to be .21 Cd shape. I doubt the Cd is different than the Model X. My guess is the CdA will be about the same the Model S. The 3 will have a higher Cd but lower frontal area than the S.

It was pretty much a given the minute they said 5 adult passengers. The Model S barely qualifies.

It does look like most other modern sedans, so perhaps that's good.

 

[llninja]

I'm calling BS.

I like that last one, though it should be murdered out. I plan to angel out mine.

 

[Sean-a-Tron]

The shots I've seen in this article look more appealing. https://electrek.co/2017/05/01/tesla-model-3-white-design/

Say what you want, but I think it still looks a lot better than the 2nd Gen Volt, and Bolt.

 

[jsmay311]

From some angles, it looks great. But from others, and particularly that straight-from-the-side angle... I agree, it's not very attractive. But change the angle just slightly, and somehow, strangely, it seems to look a lot better.

But even still, the somewhat odd proportions (a rather low, short front with a larger, more bulbous middle and rear) might be explained away as function over form (which I'm a proponent of) by maximizing passenger/cargo space without making the whole vehicle larger. And, while the low hood might not intuitively look super aerodynamic, such things are notoriously hard to predict visually. So it might have some aero purpose to it.

 

[jupitermoon]

I think it's an awful design exterior-wise. The first time I saw it when they unveiled it I really thought it was so underwhelming and was incredibly disappointed.

IMO, Tesla has failed here in offering a really nice, slick looking mainstream EV. I feel they looked at the already outdated looking Model S and said let's make a miniature, even less impressive version of the S.

There are so many really nice European sedans Tesla could have borrowed ideas from and they really screwed up on this one. I definitely will wait for other EVs to come out rather than getting this.

 

[Mister Dave]

I like that last one, though it should be murdered out. I plan to angel out mine.

The '17 Elantra ain't too shabby either. A bit long in the tail perhaps.

Cascada would be super hot with a hard top. I don't like convertibles - messes up the body lines too much, but that one isn't really offensive.

 

[llninja]

https://electrek.co/2017/04/28/tesla-model-3-new-white-release-candidate-spotted-testing/tesla3a01/

The shots I've seen in this article look more appealing. https://electrek.co/2017/05/01/tesla-model-3-white-design/

Say what you want, but I think it still looks a lot better than the 2nd Gen Volt, and Bolt.

Well, put anything next to a prius, and it looks less fugly. I submitted my reservation during the reveal only to ask for a refund when I realized it wasn't very big. I don't need another small vehicle.

https://electrek.co/2017/04/28/tesla-model-3-new-white-release-candidate-spotted-testing/tesla3a01/

 

[Mister Dave]

Well, but anything next to a prius, and it looks less fugly. I submitted my reservation during the reveal only to ask for a refund when I realized it wasn't very big. I don't need another small vehicle.

 

[DonC]

I'm calling BS.

Given your examples of small sleek sedans aren't small and aren't sedans, I guess you're right.