Being electric vehicles, these cars are powered by a battery pack and motors. Between the trim levels, the rear-wheel-drive versions mean that there is only one motor available while the all-wheel-drive versions have a dual motor setup. This would mean that the Standard models have a rear-wheel-drive while everything upwards has all-wheel-drive setups.
The motor is a permanent magnet synchronous AC motor, and the transmission is the one-speed direct drive system. These transmissions are becoming more and more commonplace in electric vehicles these days and perform the duty quite well. Acceleration figures in the base engine itself are impressive with a 5.1 second 0 to 60 mph time as well as a 3.5 second 0 to 60 mph time in the Performance variant.
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Models
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2019 Tesla Model 3
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2019 Kia Niro EV
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2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
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2019 BMW i3
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MSRP
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$36,200
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$38,500
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$37,495
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$44,450
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Engine
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Electric
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Electric
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Permanent magnet Drive Motor
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Synchronous Traction Motor
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Drivetrain
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AWD
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FWD
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FWD
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RWD
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Transmission
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1-speed direct drive
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1-speed direct drive
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1-speed direct drive
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1-speed direct drive
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Power
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258 hp
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201 hp
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200 hp
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170 hp
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Torque
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317 lb-ft
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291 lb-ft
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266 lb-ft
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184 lb-ft
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0-60 MPH
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5.1 sec
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N/A
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6.5 sec
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7.2 sec
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Quarter Mile
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13.1 sec
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N/A
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15.3 sec
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N/A
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Top Speed
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145 MPH
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104 MPH
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N/A
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N/A
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Tesla is the fastest car in its class, both on paper as well as in real life. However, it is also the least expensive car in this category and manages to undercut the price of its rivals by a whole lot. In terms of performance, the BMW i3 is the most unimpressive but has the highest sticker price on it. The Kia Niro and the Chevrolet Bolt are nearly on par in terms of performance as well as price, but the Niro happens to have better torque figures.
How well does the 2019 Tesla Model 3 handle?
The Tesla Model 3 handles surprisingly well due to its battery pack being distributed below the floor of the car. Combine this with excellent acceleration, and the car is in fact very pleasant to drive. The tires can be much better, but the handling is not exactly the reason why people buy cars like Tesla.
The steering is also equally good and remains responsive. The ride quality is also excellent especially when you consider the fact that there is not much of NVH inside. Overall it is a car that manages to strike an excellent ride and handling compromise and is very pleasurable to drive.
2019 Tesla Model 3 Braking Performance
Being part of the heavier cars in this category at 3,549 pounds, braking performance definitely needs to be good to bring the car to a stop. Fittingly, the car is fitted with 12.6-inch rotors in the front and 13.2-inch rotors in the back which are definitely sizable in the category. These rotors are enough to bring the car to a halt from 60 mph in 119 feet, which is nearly one of the best numbers in the category.
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Models
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2019 Tesla Model 3
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2019 Kia Niro EV
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2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
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2019 BMW i3
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Brake Rotors Front
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12.6"
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11"
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11"
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11"
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Brake Rotors Rear
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13.2"
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10.3"
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10"
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11"
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Curb Weight
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3549 lbs
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3106 lbs
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3563 lbs
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2965 lbs
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60-0 MPH
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119 ft
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122 ft
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132 ft
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125 ft
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The BMW i3 is the lightest vehicle in this category but does not manage to have that performance in terms of braking. As a result of being heavy and being equipped with some of the smallest brake rotors in this class, the Chevrolet Bolt also has very bad braking performance. Tesla is the one that sets the class benchmark. One can definitely see that this car has an upper hand in terms of performance in all aspects.
