October 30, 2023

Tesla Model 3 Highland - Ultimate Overview

The Tesla Model 3 Highland marks another milestone in the development of the Model 3 series. With the new Highland model, Tesla presents a version that aims to elevate the successful model to a higher level once again. It offers everything from extended ranges and a completely redesigned interior design to subtle yet effective improvements to the front and rear design.

If you want to find out whether the Tesla Model 3 Highland is right for you, you've come to the right place. We have collected all the details and innovations for you in a comprehensive article.

To optimally protect your new Tesla Model 3 Highland and especially to preserve it during the winter months, we advise you to use all-weather floor mats right from the start. You can find more accessories for the Tesla Model 3 at tesla-ausstatter.de.

Key Points at a Glance
Price
Range and Consumption
Colors
Safety
Technical Specifications
Interior
Exterior
Autopilot
Warranty
Conclusion

Key Points at a Glance

Currently, there are two versions of the Tesla Model 3 Highland to choose from: the Standard Range and Maximum Range versions. Deliveries have already started, and the first vehicles have been handed over to customers.

Tesla Model 3 Highland Standard Range

Price from €42,990
Range: 554 km with 18-inch Photon wheels and wheel caps (previously 491 km)
Reduced top speed: 201 km/h (previously 225 km/h)

Tesla Model 3 Highland Maximum Range

Price from €51,990
Increased range with 18-inch Photon wheels and wheel caps to 678 km (previously 626 km)
Reduced top speed: 201 km/h (previously 233 km/h)

Tesla Model 3 Highland Major Changes

Consumption reduction achieved through better aerodynamics with an efficiency increase of 8% and a drag coefficient of 0.219 cw
Two new color options: Stealth Grey and Ultra Red
No Performance version available yet

Inside

50% of the interior parts redesigned optimizations in door panels, interior materials, steering wheel design, and controls
Reduced noise development thanks to new materials and 360-degree acoustic glass
Improved sound system with now 17 speakers (previously 14)
Expanded middle touchscreen with better contrast and faster response time
Front seats now with seat ventilation 8-inch touchscreen in the rear for controlling climate and entertainment
New blind spot indicator

Outside

Two new wheel designs for improved range
Removal of fog lights
Redesigned diffuser at the rear

If you would like to test drive the Tesla Model 3 Highland, you can take a look at our detailed guide for it. There you will find all important information for the test drive as well as an exclusive tip to make your test driver experience even better.

The Tesla Model 3 Highland introduces a price reconfiguration. For the standard model with rear-wheel drive, an additional charge of 1,000€ is now required compared to the predecessor model. Nevertheless, prices could change rapidly depending on market events, as we have been able to observe several times this year at Tesla. The company relies on a proven pricing strategy to meet the steadily growing demand for this impressive vehicle model.

Tesla Model 3 Highland Standard Range from 42,990 €
Tesla Model 3 Highland Maximum Range from 51,990 €

In the past, Tesla has applied similar pricing strategies to other models such as the Model S, X, and Y. It remains to be seen when a performance variant will come to market.

Range and Consumption

The Tesla Model 3 Highland boasts improved range values, especially in combination with the 18-inch Photon and 19-inch Nova rims. And this is despite there apparently being no change in battery specifications. A particularly impressive feature is the improved energy efficiency, which is due to optimized aerodynamic properties and a reduced vehicle weight of the Tesla Model 3 Highland. Tesla states the improvement at 8%.

Tesla Model 3 Highland Standard Range

Range: 554 km with 18-inch Photon rims and wheel covers (previously 491 km)
Range: 513 km with 19-inch Nova rims (surcharge 1,700€)
WLTP - Consumption: 13.2 kWh/100km (previously 14.4 kWh/100km)

Tesla Model 3 Highland Maximum Range

Range: 678 km with 18-inch Photon rims and wheel covers (previously 626 km)
Range: 629 km with 19-inch Nova rims (surcharge 1,700€)
WLTP - Consumption: 14.0 kWh/100km (previously 14.7 kWh/100km)

Color Variants Exterior and Interior Design

In addition to the already existing exterior colors white, black, and blue, which were available for the previous Tesla Model 3, Tesla has now added two additional color options to its range.

Two New Color Variants

The color selection for the Tesla Model 3 Highland has been enriched with "Stealth Grey" and "Ultra Red". These fresh alternatives offer additional variety and a touch of exclusivity. Both colors are currently available at a surcharge of 2,000€.

Tesla Model 3 Highland Ultra Red

Tesla Model 3 Highland Stealth Grey

Altered Interior, but Color Options Remain

In the new Model 3 Highland, there are still two options for the interior design: black and white. However, there are numerous changes, such as the use of new materials. An important update: The wooden strip is no longer available in the black interior. We will go into detail on the many other adjustments in the interior.

Tesla Model 3 Highland black interior

Tesla Model 3 Highland white interior

Safety Measures

Tesla vehicles are designed to ensure maximum safety. They use advanced technologies in combination with a purely electric platform to protect both the occupants and pedestrians as much as possible. The purely electric design of Tesla models minimizes the risk of rollovers and ensures effective protection of the occupants from injuries.

Winner in Terms of Safety

According to the evaluation criteria of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), the Tesla Model 3 has achieved the top rating of five stars in all categories, making it a leader.

Safety Features Through Technology

With a total of eight cameras, which together with state-of-the-art image processing technology enable a 360-degree panoramic view, the vehicle helps to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users early on. The safety systems based on Tesla Autopilot are designed to minimize the likelihood of collisions or even prevent them completely. Automatic emergency braking functions, warnings of impending frontal collisions, notifications of obstacles in the blind spot, and lane keeping corrections are among the numerous safety features of the vehicle.

Thanks to the evaluation of anonymized data from millions of Tesla vehicles, the safety systems are continuously developed and delivered as a software update to all vehicles.

Fire Safety

The battery packs in Tesla vehicles are designed to dissipate heat in the event of damage to prevent fires and protect occupants. Statistics show that Tesla vehicles have a significantly lower risk of vehicle fires compared to conventional gasoline cars.

Technical Specifications of the Tesla Model 3 Highland

The acceleration values of the vehicle remain unchanged, however, there is a slight reduction in the top speed. This could possibly cause disappointment among fans of high speeds, but it may also indicate that Tesla is working on introducing an even more powerful performance variant.

Tesla explains that the limitation of the top speed to a maximum of 201 km/h is due to the use of particularly quiet tires, which are only approved for speeds up to this value. Although this change might meet criticism on the German market, it should be noted that Germany is the only country where there is no general speed limit.

Below you will find a summary of the technical data that Tesla provides on its official website for the updated electric vehicle.

Tesla Model 3 Highland Standard Range

Drive: Rear-wheel drive, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds (unchanged)
Maximum speed: 201 km/h (previously 225 km/h)
Dimensions: Length 4,720 mm, Width 1,850 mm, Height 1,441 mm
Weight: 1,765 kg
Trunk volume: 682 liters
Seating: Space for 5 adults
Screens: Central 15.4-inch touchscreen in front, 8-inch touchscreen at the rear
Ground clearance: 138 mm
Total width with mirrors folded: 1,933 mm, with mirrors unfolded: 2,089 mm
Track width front/rear: 1,584 mm each
Maximum charging power at Supercharger: 170 kW

Tesla Model 3 Highland Maximum Range

Drive type: Dual motor all-wheel drive
Acceleration 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds (unchanged)
Maximum speed: 201 km/h (previously 233 km/h)
Dimensions: Length 4,720 mm, Width 1,850 mm, Height 1,441 mm
Weight: 1,828 kg
Trunk volume: 682 liters
Seating: Space for 5 adults
Screens: Central 15.4-inch touchscreen in front, 8-inch touchscreen at the rear
Ground clearance: 138 mm
Total width with mirrors folded: 1,933 mm, with mirrors unfolded: 2,089 mm
Track width front/rear: 1,584 mm each
Maximum charging power at Supercharger: 250 kW

Tesla Model 3 Highland Interior

The interior of the Tesla Model 3 Highland has changed significantly, with 50% of the components being renewed. The dashboard features a new design, the materials have been upgraded, and numerous technical improvements have been made, making the interior both more functional and more luxurious.

Main Differences to the Previous Model:

The front seats are now equipped with seat ventilation.
There are no longer any levers on the steering wheel for indicators and shifting; these functions are now controlled via the new steering wheel, as are the light control, the horn, the windshield wiper control, a new camera button, and the microphone control.
There is a LED strip for ambient lighting.
Bluetooth and WLAN connectivity have been improved.
The microphones have been optimized for clearer phone calls.
The ventilation system has been improved; air can now be switched off separately on the passenger side.
The sound system has been expanded to 17 speakers (previously 14).
An 8-inch touchscreen in the rear area allows control of the air conditioning and access to the entertainment system. The screen can be connected to two headsets simultaneously.

Other Changes:

New design of the door panels.
New blind spot indicator.
The interior materials are now of higher quality; the fabric feels softer and has a better texture.
New design of the dashboard with textured/woven material.
The center console has been updated and now features real metal handles.
Wind and ambient noise have been reduced by 30%, road noise by 20%.
360-degree acoustic glass is now also present on the rear windows (previously only on the front windows).
The suspension has been updated for an improved driving experience; there are new springs and dampers.
New geometry on the front suspension.
Two motors for the trunk lid (previously only one).
The touchscreen is now brighter, has narrower edges, higher contrast, and responds better.
The rear seats are more comfortable.
All seats are perforated (however, the rear seats are not ventilated).
The connectivity to the phone has been improved, so the car recognizes the phone from a greater distance
Reduced driving noise

Tesla Model 3 Highland Exterior

The exterior of the Tesla Model 3 Highland has undergone noticeable changes with the facelift, significantly modernizing the vehicle's appearance.

Overview of External Changes:

The front and rear lights have received a new design, making the Tesla Model 3 Highland look fresher and more contemporary.
The rear lights are now made in one piece and are completely attached to the trunk lid.
The Tesla logo at the rear has been removed and replaced with a Tesla lettering.
There are new design options for the rims, for both the 18-inch and 19-inch variants, and new wheel caps for the 18-inch wheels.
A new diffuser now adorns the rear of the vehicle.
Extra fog lights are no longer available.
Improved aerodynamics have made the car 8% more efficient, with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.219.
The overall weight of the vehicle has been reduced.

These updates contribute to the Tesla Model 3 Highland not only looking more modern and aesthetic, but also being more efficient and lighter, which can positively influence the vehicle's performance and range.

Autopilot

The Tesla Model 3 Highland retains its comprehensive range of software packages for Autopilot features, including standard Autopilot, Enhanced Autopilot, and the option for Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities. According to reports from the first Model 3 Highland owners, it is already shipped with Hardware 4.

Is the Enhanced Autopilot a Sensible Investment for the Tesla Model 3 Highland?

For those interested in the extended software package, it is important to know that every Tesla is already equipped with the well-known Autopilot as standard, which includes lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control.

The Enhanced Autopilot, available for an additional €3,800, simply adds the lane change assistant to the package. Functions such as Auto Park, Summon, and Smart Summon are no longer available since the removal of the ultrasonic sensors.

The "Full Self-Driving" option for an additional €3,700 currently only adds traffic light and stop sign recognition to the lane change assistant.

Recommendation

Currently, we advise against purchasing these software packages, especially directly at the time of vehicle purchase. The software can be added at any time later via the app. First, try out whether the functions included as standard are sufficient for you, and then decide whether the additional features are worth the money to you.

Warranty

The warranty terms for the Tesla Model 3 Highland have not changed compared to the previous model. They continue to be divided into the vehicle warranty and the warranty on battery and drive unit. Tesla grants the following warranty periods for the new Model 3:

Vehicle warranty: 4 years or 80,000 km, whichever comes first
Battery and drive unit: 8 years or 192,000 km, whichever comes first

Final Assessment of the Tesla Model 3 Highland

The Tesla Model 3 Highland presents itself not just as a simple model revision, but rather as a strong statement towards the automotive industry. It impressively proves that electric cars not only represent the future but can also take a leading position in today's world.

Auto experts agree and consistently emphasize the tremendous progress, particularly in terms of the quality of the Tesla Model 3 Highland. This is highlighted not only in comparison to the previous Model 3 but also the significant lead over the competition, including well-known German manufacturers. The use of top-notch materials in the vehicle's interior is particularly positively highlighted.

If you decide to buy the new Tesla Model 3 Highland, we definitely recommend protecting it with all-weather mats to ensure long-lasting enjoyment of your new vehicle. Shop now.