Tesla Model 3 vs its five biggest rivals
- by AutoExpress
- Apr 27, 2024
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The company car landscape has been transformed beyond all recognition in the past 20 years or so, and a big part of that is down to the flourishing electric car market. If you want a three-box saloon, it’s no longer Ford or Vauxhall that fleet managers turn to, but Tesla and BMW.
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Cars such as the Model 3 and i4 are also among the best EVs on the market, and prime candidates for company car users. The last time these two rivals went head to head, the BMW had the edge, but Tesla has since launched a heavily updated Model 3, so will that be enough to turn things in its favour? Which car comes out on top?
Winner: Tesla Model 3
Company car choice is a numbers game, and on this basis, the revised Model 3 is the best in the class. Nothing comes close to its performance, efficiency or charging convenience, all of which should make it great to live with and cheap to run. Comfort, refinement and build quality have all been improved, and while it isn’t the most fun to drive, it’s competent. A few more physical buttons wouldn’t go amiss though.
Runner-up: BMW i4
For some, a car is about more than just numbers, and it’s the subjective qualities that you can appreciate every time you take to the road. If that sounds like you, then you’ll be much happier behind the wheel of the i4 than the Tesla. It’s by far the best car to drive; not only is it the sharpest handling by some margin, but it’s also the most refined and second only to the VW for ride comfort. It’s also one of the most efficient, and has the smartest interior and the best balance between touchscreen and physical controls.
Third place: Volkswagen ID.7
The ID.7 really feels like a return to form for Volkswagen. It’s the most accomplished all-electric model the brand has yet produced, and it goes straight to the top of the class for comfort and practicality, while its above-average efficiency and performance also appeal. There are one or two ergonomic foibles common to the ID range that still baffle us, but they’re not enough to detract from the ID.7’s strengths elsewhere.
Fourth place: Polestar 2
Fourth place could be seen as a disappointment for the Polestar 2, but the car is still a very appealing proposition. It’s great to look at and performs well, while the interior is a pleasant place to be. Polestar’s zero-per cent finance offer makes it great value if you’re looking to buy privately, too. The brand needs to decide whether it wants the 2 to be a comfortable cruiser or a keen driver’s car, though, because at the moment it’s neither.
Fifth place: Hyundai Ioniq 6
Nothing else on the road looks like the Ioniq 6, and that will be more than enough to attract some company-car users. It’s loaded with equipment, too, and we love Hyundai’s solution for adjusting the brake regeneration, but the Ioniq 6 doesn’t quite have the polished driving experience it needs to compete with the best cars here. Tight headroom, a shallow and compact boot, and underwhelming efficiency peg the car back to fifth place.
Sixth place: BYD Seal
Currently the Seal just falls short of matching the level of the Polestar and Hyundai. There are a few areas in which BYD needs to add some refinements in order to compete at this level. We’re fans of the standard kit, seat comfort and sound system, though. For a manufacturer’s first attempt in this class, the Seal is impressive, and with some improved calibration, efficiency and chassis sophistication, it could be a real contender.
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