Man drives Tesla Model 3 in 2026 to see if it's worth swapping to and comes to a clear conclusion
Published on Jul 19, 2026 at 12:03 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Jul 19, 2026 at 12:03 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
This man took a Tesla Model 3 out for a drive to see if it could sway him, and the drive left him with a clear conclusion.
YouTuber Nick O’Leary wanted to compare its real-world viability against its competitors.
The particular Model 3 in question was the 2026 Long Range (Rear-Wheel Drive) model.
Did it do enough to convince O’Leary it would be worth recommending?
Tesla has been around for a long while now, but the EV market is fast becoming a crowded one
For a long while, Tesla was the top dog in the world of EVs.
From the Roadster to the Cybertruck, the American carmaker dominated the market for years.
But now, the tide is turning.
More and more manufacturers have been venturing into the market, from BMW to Ferrari.
And that’s before we even get into the international competition, primarily represented by the likes of BYD.
So with all these options up for grabs, people can’t help but wonder – is Tesla still a worthwhile investment?
The pros of the Tesla Model 3
Nick O’Leary decided he was going to put the Model 3 to a real world range test, which would comprise of a multi-day road trip.
The car achieved a totally respectable 430 miles of real-world range before it needed a charge.
That’s short of the 466 mile paper rating, but it’s still not bad work at all.
“Range anxiety is no more,” O’Leary said.
The car also did well when it came to space and its multimedia set-up – despite the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
There was a lot of positives to note, from improved build quality to seamless ‘plug-and-play’ charging infrastructure.
But there was bound to be some drawbacks.
On the flip side, what were some of the EV’s cons?
O’Leary felt the Tesla was too reliant on touch, with climate controls and gear shift ‘locked’ behind a touchscreen.
He also wasn’t a fan of the lack of a Heads-Up Display, as it left drivers looking towards the center screen for stats like speed.
But was this enough to dissuade him from recommending the EV to his viewers?
“I would have this in a heartbeat. It’s that good and is still my go-to recommendation for anyone looking at jumping to their first electric car,” he said.
“The experience is just so good.”
His verdict seemed to ring true with the commenters on the video.
“Brilliant cars, tick every box, anyone who’s skeptical go and have a test drive at Tesla, you’ll be blown away,” one wrote.
“Having driven for 59 years, I’ve driven so many wonderful and so many awful cars. My M3 is by a country mile the best for so many reasons,” another said.
How does the Model 3 compare to other EVs?
How did O’Leary feel the Model 3 compared with other EVs?
“I’ve seen a few German brands introduce some very good examples of electric cars recently with impressive range, which got me thinking. What’s Tesla doing?,” he told Supercar Blondie.
“But to my surprise Tesla quietly updated the range of the Model 3 and it was simply brilliant.
“It takes away any range anxiety that someone would have by exceeding the range of most petrol cars that people already own.
“It impressed me so much that I’m actually considering getting one myself to replace my existing car.
“The Model Y has been a best seller for years but with the improvements of the Model 3, I can see this one taking its place.
“Not only is it more refined than the previous generation, it adds extra range, a sleeker look while keeping the minimalism on the edge that Tesla have always been known for.
“Simply put, they make it very easy to live with an electric car and this is still my go to recommendation for anyone considering their first.”
Tesla Model 3 timeline
2016: The Model 3 was unveiled at an event in Hawthorne, California, with reservations opening that same day. 180,000 were placed within 24 hours.
2016 – 2017: Development and production ramped up.
July 2017: The first Model 3 ‘production unit’ rolled off the line, and the first 30 customers received their cars.
Late 2017: Output remained low as supply chain issues were resolved.
2018: The Model 3 becomes more widely accessible as production accelerated.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
