You WON'T believe this 2025 Tesla Model 3's build quality

Summary

In this review, the presenter shares their experiences with Tesla’s build quality, specifically focusing on the latest Model 3. While acknowledging that Tesla has made significant improvements in exterior and interior design, issues like misalignment, gaps, and inconsistencies persist. The exterior has some noticeable flaws, including uneven hood gaps and poorly sealed trunk rubber, though the taillights and door handles have seen positive changes. Inside, the cabin offers a better fit, stronger trims, and fewer rattles, yet concerns about vinyl wear and material durability remain. Despite these issues, the Model 3 impresses with its quiet cabin and refined design.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tesla still faces issues with exterior build quality, such as uneven gaps on the driver's side hood and rear door misalignment.
• 😀 The front hood alignment problem persists, with an uneven gap between the driver's and passenger's side, although it doesn't affect functionality.
• 😀 The redesign of the rear taillights and new seal design have improved the water leakage problem, but gaps remain an issue in some areas.
• 😀 The paint quality of this particular Model 3 appears better, but Tesla still receives criticism for paint inconsistencies.
• 😀 Improvements to interior trim, such as the B-pillar and headliner, have reduced rattles and made the trim more stable compared to older models.
• 😀 The new center console has a squeaky plastic issue when fully retracted, but the armrest is solid and noise-free.
• 😀 Despite better overall build quality, the vinyl material used for the seats shows signs of wear and wrinkles quickly, raising concerns about its durability.
• 😀 The doors now provide a solid 'thunk' sound when closed, indicating improved door panel fitment and the elimination of rattling glass.
• 😀 While interior materials have been improved, there's concern over how well they will hold up over the long term (5-10 years).
• 😀 The cabin noise levels at highway speeds are impressively low, with a reading of 67.5 dB, comparable to luxury cars in terms of quietness.

Q & A

Has Tesla improved its build quality with the latest Model 3?

While Tesla has made some improvements in build quality, including fixing some alignment issues, there are still areas that need attention, such as the front hood alignment and door gaps.

What issues were found with the exterior of the Model 3?

The most notable issues include inconsistent hood alignment, a large gap on the driver's side of the trunk, and misaligned rubber sealing around the cargo opening. However, the paint quality was better than previous models.

Did Tesla address the problems with door handles in previous models?

Yes, the door handles on the new Model 3 are now flush, which was not always the case in earlier versions.

How did Tesla address the taillight and water leakage issue?

Tesla redesigned the taillights and moved them to the liftgate, which includes a new seal design to prevent water leakage, a common issue in earlier models.

What improvements were made to the interior of the Model 3?

The interior features better-fitting trim pieces, a more stable B-pillar trim, stronger headliner attachment, and improved door rubber trims. However, some issues like squeaky plastic in the center console and vinyl wear on the seats persist.

Did Tesla address common issues with interior trim gaps and rattles?

Yes, the new Model 3 has addressed trim gaps and rattles. The interior fitment is improved with more solid connections, reducing the likelihood of rattles, though some minor issues still exist.

What about the vinyl material used in the seats?

The vinyl used in Tesla seats tends to wear out quickly, showing wrinkles and fraying stitching, which is a concern even in a new Model 3 after just a couple of months. This has been a consistent problem in Tesla vehicles.

Has Tesla made any progress with noise reduction in the cabin?

Yes, Tesla has significantly improved the cabin noise, reducing it to a level comparable to luxury cars. At highway speeds, the noise level measured at 67.5 dB, which is considered excellent.

Is there still room for improvement in Tesla's build quality?

Yes, while Tesla has improved some aspects of its build quality, there are still areas, particularly in exterior gaps and interior material durability, where further improvements are needed.

Are the new features in the Model 3 interior worth the investment?

Yes, the redesigned interior, with its better materials and more stable components, offers a significant improvement over previous models. However, concerns remain about the durability of materials like vinyl in the long term.