Carwow drag race reveals which Tesla is best: Model 3, Model X, Model S
TeslaPopular UK car sales and comparison site carwow put Tesla’s three different models – the Model 3, Model X and Model S – to the test in a drag race, to finally find out which is the best once and for all.
Although each Tesla model features glaring similarities when it comes to design and features, obviously they’re all different to fulfill varying needs.
While the Model S is what really put Tesla on the map as an automaker back in 2012, since then the Model 3 has come out as a more affordable alternative so, as expected, might have a little less power behind it. The Model X is an SUV-style vehicle but doesn’t look much different from the Model S – at least, it doesn’t really look like an SUV.
YouTube: carwowEach model comes in a Long-Range or a Performance edition, but for the sake of the test race, the Performance version of each car was used.
The Model S completed carwow’s quarter-mile race in 11.4 seconds, while the Model X took 11.5 seconds and the Model 3 did 11.8 seconds, so there really isn’t much disparity between each model when it comes to a quick, simple test of speed over a short range.
However, the rainy conditions slowed down the Model S and Model X slightly, whereas the Model 3 didn’t seem affected by the wet tarmac at all, making it slightly more desirable if you live somewhere where you might encounter rain somewhat regularly.
Finally, during a brake test, the Model 3 managed to come to a stop quite a lot quicker than the other two, which is to be expected considering it is the lightest of the three models.
However, the Model S and Model X were extremely close, too much so for carwow themselves to call a second place.
Host Mat Watson says that in his eyes the Model 3 is the winner, because it’s “not far off in terms of performance” but also considerably cheaper than the other models, clocking in at £52,990 ($67,735) as opposed to £97,890 ($125,130) for the Model X and £93,290 ($119,250) for the Model S.
YouTube: carwowIt will be interesting to see how the Tesla Model Y fits in here, with the vehicle expected to enter production in mid-late 2020 in the US. The Model Y is expected to fill the gap between the Model 3 and the Model X as a compact SUV, so expect similar capabilities.
Of course, the Cybertruck likely won’t be powered for these kinds of tests since it’s not supposed to be a Performance-centric vehicle, but it would be interesting to see how it compares.