Tesla Inc (TSLA) Model 3 Reviews Are Good, With A Few Notable Exceptions

The new Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) Model 3 sedan is receiving generally glowing reviews from early critics and owners — with a few caveats.

As CNBC reports, the big-picture look is that the Model 3 is miles ahead of the competition:

Overall, Tesla’s first attempt at a less expensive car than their higher-end S and X models has received strong acclaim for its smooth, quiet ride, uniquely minimalist interior and dashboard, and body design.
But some reviewers have taken issue with aspects of the car’s unorthodox features, such Tesla’s choice to forego a traditional instrument cluster in front of the driver in favor of a large monitor in the center of the dashboard. Some reviewers say they heard of or experienced a few flaws in the car’s build quality.

Probably due to extremely low production yields, Tesla offered basically zero “press cars” for reviewers to evaluate. Reviewers have had to either borrow cars from early owners or ride one at Tesla press events as a result, so complete and detailed reviews are still hard to come by.

While the car starts at $35,000, most users are expected to fork over $5,000 to $15,000 worth of additional upgrades. Most models reviewed so far include those key upgrades, which include features like Autopilot, heated seats, a longer-range battery pack, and more.

Tesla Inc shares fell $0.72 (-0.21%) in premarket trading Monday. Year-to-date, TSLA has gained 12.25%, versus a 4.94% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.

TSLA currently has a StockNews.com POWR Rating of B (Buy), and is ranked #14 of 24 stocks in the Auto & Vehicle Manufacturers category.