The reality is that the Model 3 Highland starts at 231,900 yuan in China (rear-wheel drive version), with the long-range version at 285,900 yuan. I've been driving one for three months, covered over 8,000 kilometers, and can talk about the real cost of ownership.

The Real Cost of Electricity

Let's start with electricity costs. I have a home charging station and use peak-valley pricing, with valley electricity at 0.31 yuan/kWh. The Model 3 Highland's actual energy consumption is about 13.5kWh/100km (this is the number I got from my own driving; the official claim is 12.2, but who believes official data). Based on this, the electricity cost per kilometer is 0.042 yuan.

I previously drove a 1.5T gasoline car with fuel consumption of 7.5L/100km. With No. 92 gasoline at 7.8 yuan/liter, that's 58.5 yuan per 100 kilometers. The energy cost of an electric car is roughly 7% of a gasoline car. This difference is real.

When "Saving Money" Is No Longer the Main Selling Point

There's something I've been wanting to say: Tesla and many EV manufacturers like to emphasize "saving on fuel costs" in their marketing, and there's a problem with this claim.

Buying a Model 3 Highland rear-wheel drive costs 231,900 yuan. A comparable gasoline car, like the Camry Hybrid, costs about 190,000 yuan on the road. That's a price difference of over 40,000 yuan. Based on my calculations above, saving just over 10,000 yuan a year, it would take four years to recoup the price difference.

If you compare it to a similarly priced gasoline car, like the BMW 3 Series, then the Model 3 does have an advantage in energy costs. The problem is many people buying the Model 3 aren't switching from a BMW 3 Series; they're upgrading from the Corolla or Sylphy class. In that case, the "saving money" argument doesn't hold up.

About Range Anxiety

Before buying the car, I was also worried about range. The Highland rear-wheel drive version has a CLTC-rated 606 kilometers.

My experience is: in summer with AC on, mostly highway driving, actual range is about 75% of rated, which is around 450 kilometers. In winter (I'm in Beijing) with heating on, actual range drops to 60%, about 360 kilometers. This is data from around -5°C; I haven't tested in colder conditions.

What does 450 kilometers mean? Beijing to Jinan is 400 kilometers one way. Leaving with a full charge, you arrive in Jinan with just over 10% remaining. You can make it, but it's genuinely tight. The queuing situation at highway charging stations during holidays can drive you crazy. During National Day, I waited an hour and a half at a service area before I could charge.

About Price Cuts

When Tesla had major price cuts in early 2023, a friend of mine had just picked up his car two months prior and immediately lost over 30,000 yuan. He's still cursing about it.

Tesla's pricing strategy is completely different from traditional automakers. Traditional automakers set a high MSRP and give terminal discounts, making you feel like you got a deal. Tesla prices directly, no negotiation, but will suddenly cut prices, making existing owners feel like suckers.

Which is better? I think neither is good. Tesla's approach really makes it hard to make a purchase decision. You never know if there'll be a 20,000 yuan price cut next month.

I bought mine when the Highland just launched, thinking that with the new model just out, there shouldn't be price cuts in the short term. It's been half a year now, and indeed no cuts. But there's no guarantee either.

Actual Experience After Use

The interior is so much better than the old model. I really couldn't accept the old model's interior, especially that turn signal stalk—anti-human design. The Highland switched to steering wheel buttons and touchscreen controls; I got used to it after a week.

Assisted driving is useful. Using AP (basic Autopilot) on the highway does reduce fatigue. But you need to be ready to take over at all times; you can't really treat it as autonomous driving. Once on the highway, a plastic bag flew by in front, and the car suddenly braked hard, scared the hell out of me.

Rear seat space is average. I'm 178cm, and sitting in the back, the headroom feels a bit oppressive. The Model 3 has a coupe shape, sacrificing some rear headroom. If you have elderly or children who'll frequently sit in the back, have them try it during the test drive.

Noise control is better than the old model, but still has a gap compared to luxury gasoline brands in the same price range. At 120 on the highway, tire noise and wind noise are both quite noticeable.