I posted this elsewhere on the forum, but feel it’s relevant here:
So, as some of you may or may not know, my new Model 3P was taken out of action by a mysterious object that made a hole right through the wheel and tire in the first week.
For reasons unbeknownst to me, the Tesla Service Center did not get a replacement tire in for over a week, so... during that time I was given a 2018 Model S 75D to drive.
So here's my review of the 2018 Model S 75D, and how it compares to my 2019 Model 3P.
1.) So, firstly, the Model S is significantly longer than the Model 3. My garage only accommodates a 192" car MAX, so the Model S doesn't fit.
2.) The Model S is a boat by comparison. Everything about it feels... large.
3.) The panoramic sunroof is more enveloping in the S because it runs the roofline without the dome lights in the middle like in the 3. The S just feels more open to me above.
4.) Air suspension on the S is fabulous. I know there's new suspension (Raven) on the just-released revision, but boy is the air suspension on the S really nice to have. My Performance Model 3 suspension isn't terrible or anything, but there are times when I wish I could just soften everything up and cruise along crappy roads.
5.) Power. No comparison. The Model 3 Performance destroys the 75D, as you'd expect. Interestingly, the 75D gets off the line pretty darn quickly, but at 40mph upwards it feels like a dog. 60mph when you put your foot down it's almost as if nothing happens (slight exaggeration). Whether a combination of weight or de-tuning of the motors, the 75D is great down low, and puny up top.
6.) Motor whine. The 75D I had featured some pretty ugly motor whine, especially at 49-51mph when not accelerating. It manifests itself as a really high-pitched squealing-like sound, and it drove me a bit nuts. My P3D does not have any such noises.
7.) The interior. I have to say, while the S has some fanciers things going on (heated steering wheel, air suspension etc) - the interior in my opinion is a giant mess by comparison to the 3. The doors look like they were designed by three or four people at the same time in different rooms - with no communication between them until the last second. The interior door handles are in the absolute worst place, where there's little leverage to push the door open, and the button locations and lack of storage cubbies in the doors is insanity to me. Where the door material meats the dash material it doesn't match at all - and in all honesty I think that whole area of the car is a travesty.
As an aside, the piece of the door you're supposed to pull to close the door had a lot of movement to it on my driver's side, which just screamed cheap to me.
8.) The dual screens. I know this will be subjective, but honestly I really, really do not like the S screen orientation or design. It looks like a screen shoehorned into a dash. I felt this way when I test-drove the P85D many years ago when it was new, and I still feel the same now. It feels outdated, a bit of a cluttered mess due to the narrow vertical orientation, and some icons being in the corners are just awkward to hit. In addition, I'm 6'5" and with my seat back enough - it's hard for me to reach the top of the screen as it leans back there at the top. I prefer the 3 here greatly. Also, I really prefer not having the dash right in front of me, so I can be focusing on the road. I know this will be subjective. At night I can see the road more due to no light sensitivity from the dash in front of me.
9.) Handling. There's no question the P3D is a much better handling car. You feel more from the road (pros and cons to this) AND the steering wheel. There's almost no steering wheel feel from the 75D whereas I can actually feel things through the wheel with the P3D steering wheel. I haven't driven a base 3 so I can't comment there, but with the P3D everything is far more connected than with the 75D.
10.) Rattles: While the 3 is not free of rattles, my Model S wasn't either. Some really annoying ones from the rear hatch that drove me nuts just about the entire time I had the car.
11.) Trunk. I love the automatic trunk on the S. Ironically, for my uses, I'm glad I don't have one. Since my car is so tight in my garage, if I popped it by mistake I'd destroy the trunk, but... when out and about it was super useful.
12.) Exterior door handles: You know, I'm not sure which I prefer here. I think the S handles are pretty cool (aside from looking like toilet-roll holders), but I actually really dig the Model 3 handles, too. I especially love the way you open the Model 3 doors from the inside. It blows away the Model S in this regard.
13.) Usability: I love the phone holder in the front of the 3, and with the Nomad wireless charger it's fabulous. The slide-out cubby in the Model S is... awkward and not fun to open at all.
14.) Arm rests. I could not STAND the arm rests in the Model S. They slide to uncover the cup holder, which means either you have a cup holder or you have an arm rest. Annoyingly, my arm kept sliding the arm rest back under normal use, which I got tired of pretty darn fast.
15.) I really like the Model 3 turn signals. There's no "detent" where the stalk moves into for permanent signaling, so when you have completed your turn the stalk doesn't move again - it just disables the signal electronically. I love that. No "click/smack" sound.
16.) Panel gaps and fit and finish: Both cars have their issues. Both cars have crappy paint (both are solid black, so I was able to compare), and not all pieces of chrome trim etc were 100%. Alignment on doors etc isn't 100% either. Just the usual Tesla nonsense. None of it is deal-breaking, but it's there.
I'm sure I'm missing some things, but that's it for now.
Overall, it's not a contest. The 3 is the better car for most people. The S feels extremely outdated, and really needs an interior refresh.
