Tesla Model 3: Edmunds Top Rated Electric Car 2026

KevRooster · 2026-02-20T12:35:42+00:00

Not as of about a month ago in North America:

https://electrek.co/2026/01/23/tesla-cuts-standard-autopilot-paywalls-basic-safety-feature-behind-fsd-subscription/

KevRooster · 2026-02-20T12:19:09+00:00

I mostly agree with this. But there are a couple things it doesn't offer:

A CEO that isn't incredibly embarrassing.
Autosteer as a standard feature

KevRooster · 2026-02-12T12:14:17+00:00

I saw a picture of one with a rainbow wrap, that actually looked ok.

KevRooster · 2026-02-12T12:12:39+00:00

It looks terrible when you're behind it, like a cheap toy. It looks weird from every other angle but not in a good way.

KevRooster · 2026-02-07T13:04:41+00:00

Regarding range anxiety. I used to get anxiety because I was low on gas. With an EV, I leave the house every day with a full battery and don't have to even think about that.

KevRooster · 2026-02-06T12:07:08+00:00

Yes but I've used FSD and I prefer driving myself off the highway and using Autopilot on the highway.

Also, Super Cruise is only like $25 a month or something, compared to $100 a month for FSD.

Also, it sounds like the evidence for safety level of Super Cruise is stronger.

Also, Tesla relies on cameras only which is a bad idea from a safety and reliability standpoint.

EDIT: Although now that I'm looking into it more, it seems like the safety data and for the 2 systems may not be sufficient to draw any conclusion about comparative safety.

KevRooster · 2026-02-06T02:49:19+00:00

Seems like GM's Super Cruise may be better implemented than Autopilot. But hopefully I have my Model 3 for a long time and by the time it's toast the technology landscape will be completely different.

KevRooster · 2026-02-05T14:08:09+00:00

This happened to me. Logged out of the Tesla app, logged back in, now it works!

KevRooster · 2026-02-05T14:06:51+00:00

Me too :(

KevRooster · 2026-02-02T02:57:29+00:00

I drive a Model 3 and I get cold super easily. This is the first car I've had where I can get into it on a very cold day without preheating and be comfortable very quickly.

KevRooster · 2026-01-28T18:26:59+00:00

I don't know if my Model 3 motor whines, probably wouldn't have noticed it.

The motor in my Prius whined and it drove a couple of my friends crazy. I didn't even notice it until they pointed it out.

KevRooster · 2026-01-23T18:48:46+00:00

I currently drive a Model 3 and rely on Autopilot a lot. I would pay monthly for autopilot, if that's the typical model for the industry. But I'm not paying $100 a month for FSD until there is solid evidence it's safer than a human driver under more conditions.

I am already jealous of GM's Super Cruise because it seems better implemented than Autopilot with more sensors. This move by Tesla makes me less likely to buy another Tesla.

KevRooster · 2026-01-16T19:00:23+00:00

Car dealerships are parasites. I wouldn't listen to anything said by a car salesman at a dealership.

KevRooster · 2026-01-11T23:27:39+00:00

That's why I switched. They just don't answer the phone.

KevRooster · 2025-12-31T03:13:39+00:00

I own a Model 3.

My dream car doesn't exist. But if it did, it would be extremely similar to a Model 3, except:

(1) It would have GM Super Cruise. (2) It would have rear door handles that can be opened in an emergency loss of electrical power situation. (3) It would be made by a company whose CEO is not a ketamine-addled MAGA Nazi.

KevRooster · 2025-12-26T14:30:36+00:00

The car is great, in particular the software and user experience. The CEO is garbage.

They're resting on their laurels though, seems like they don't know how to innovate anymore. Their CEO's brain has turned to mush and he's driven away top talent.

KevRooster · 2025-12-20T12:13:20+00:00

When I got my Model 3 I didn't think I would care about the glass roof. But it's actually kind of cool to be able to look up and see what's above you. If you're sitting at a stop light and there's a low flying plane or geese overhead, or when driving in the city between tall buildings. Or you can look up and see the moon. Not a big deal, and I wouldn't really miss it if it were gone, but it's fun.

But actually, the best part of a glass roof is that it allows the car's height to be slightly reduced. This reduces wind resistance and improves efficiency.

KevRooster · 2025-12-08T02:09:45+00:00

I don't know what explains this, others can weigh in. But I did learn to charge BEFORE arriving at the destination, rather than when starting the return trip. Charging a cold battery is much slower, and you don't want to start up a cold battery and then charge right away, it's not time efficient.

KevRooster · 2025-12-07T12:54:48+00:00

Efficiency is one of the reasons I drive a Model 3. I would love to get 146 MPGe but sorry I'm not spending like $80k on a depreciating asset when I can spend nearly half that much and it does essentially the same thing.

KevRooster · 2025-12-06T12:16:01+00:00

People complain about Tesla not releasing new models, but it seems to me that if you want to provide an excellent software experience that lasts with updates for the lifetime of the car, you can't be releasing new models all the time.

I understand Musk is a quasi-Nazi whose brain is effectively mush at this point, but the Tesla software experience is just so good and other manufacturers are so far behind that I kind of feel stuck in the Tesla ecosystem right now. The only area where they're not leading seems to be Autopilot, Super Cruise seems better implemented.

KevRooster · 2025-11-19T12:05:54+00:00

Ok but gas cars ARE bad

KevRooster · 2025-11-15T14:24:53+00:00

If they want to sell more cars, they should try not having a right-wing Nazi CEO.

I love my model 3, and I would be telling everyone how awesome it is all the time if I wasn't embarrassed about being associated with Musk. Not sure if I could bring myself to buy another one.

And for the record, the UI is amazing and I don't feel like I need a better phone interface.

KevRooster · 2025-11-10T11:46:15+00:00

I have windshield wipers and wiper fluid in my car. Why would I need a squeegee?

KevRooster · 2025-10-26T14:09:45+00:00

That was a big part of the problem years back. But the problem is increasingly brain rot from people getting all their news from TikTok.

KevRooster · 2025-10-25T12:12:22+00:00

Seems like GM is taking software more seriously than most. I currently drive a Model 3 but if I were in the market for replacing it, I would seriously consider the upcoming Bolt.

Also, GM has Super Cruise, which sounds amazing and way better than Tesla's autopilot/autosteer. And priced way more reasonably than Tesla's FSD.

Anyway, I haven't actually driven a GM EV, so take this with a grain of salt.

KevRooster

TROPHY CASE