Why the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland Will Be Worth Waiting For

Amid recent price cuts and incentives for Tesla’s Model Y, Model S, and Model X in China, anticipation is building for the upcoming launch of the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland. Recent reports indicate that prospective buyers are holding off on purchases, awaiting the facelifted Model 3, projected to be up to 14 percent cheaper than the current version. Referred to as the Model 3 Highland, this refreshed variant is poised to hit the market in the next two weeks, with preorders already being accepted at select Beijing showrooms.

Tesla has purportedly initiated mass production of the Model 3 Highland, aiming for a monthly output of 10,000 copies. By the close of August, an estimated 7,000 Highland examples are expected to be ready, with deliveries projected for October. The strategic price cuts and incentives introduced by Tesla are seen as efforts to clear existing inventory and pave the way for a surge in orders for the forthcoming Model 3 Highland. The facelift boasts anticipated enhancements like a more dynamic exterior, a larger 66 kWh battery, and interior upgrades, including ventilated seats. It will be equipped with Tesla’s new Hardware 4.0 Full Self-Driving (FSD) cameras.

Again, Tesla has yet to officially confirm many details surrounding its all-new 2024 Model 3 Highland: but we’re sure it will be an exciting release later this year and next year.

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Tesla Is Set To Impress With The 2024 Model 3 Highland

Although official stock images or confirmed details have yet to release, the Tesla 2024 Model 3 Highland is expected to debut a facelift: a first for this model. Since its release in 2017, this vehicle has become one of the best-selling EVs ever. With a somewhat affordable price tag and plenty of bells and whistles to keep the whole family happy, Tesla found its secret sauce with the Model 3.

However, as years progress and other car brands release competitive EVs, the Model 3 has slowed down in sales and attention. However, with this all-new ‘Highland’ version, Elon Musk hopes to change that dramatically. After all, when a car as iconic as the Model 3 undergoes a bit of inner and outer-body facelifting: that’s almost an immediate press attraction to the company. This Highland version needs to capture an entirely new generation of Tesla customers and please the existing people in Model 3s.

Notably, this EV will boast reported design tweaks and interior refinements aimed at cost reduction. Additionally, unverified reports suggest an increase in battery capacity and the adoption of an energy-dense lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery. With the Highland, you might also see a bit of a mileage increase (we’re thinking 340 or more), so that’s another incentive to hold off and wait until it hits the market.

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Range, New Exterior, And Potential Price Cut: What Could Go Wrong?

One of the more exciting announcements from leaks and Tesla itself has been that the reimagined 2024 Model 3 Highland will be just that: reimagined. Since 2017/2018, this affordable EV hasn’t seen much change, if any, with some customers growing tired. Especially with a plethora of other auto brands releasing competitively priced and designed electric sedans to compete with Model 3, the heat is unbearable for Tesla.

After all, Tesla made the concept of driving green and gas-free sexy for millions of drivers across the world upon launching Model 3, so there’s a lot of pressure riding on Highland. The entire Highland project has been deemed Model 3’s saving grace, with many people bidding highly on it. For instance, with a reported range increase to over 340 miles per charge, a new exterior front with fresh lights, interior changes, and even a price reduction: this Highland version of Model 3 could bring it back to the front of the heap.

We’re also seeing this Highland will boast a larger 66 kWh battery, and interior upgrades, including ventilated seats. Those are all great details that would entice a new EV buyer back to Tesla or even to the brand for the first time.

2024 Tesla Model 3 Highland Specs

Again, we have no confirmation of some of this information, so speculating is all we can do for you (for now). However, since the current Model 3s should be the starting point for the Highland project, we’d assume much of the specs will remain in the same ballpark. After all, the point of Highland is to make manufacturing the Model 3 less expensive for Tesla, ultimately meaning a lower MSRP for customers.

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The Model 3 Highland Could Breathe New Life Into The Brand

With Tesla sales slowing a bit in certain sectors, the brand has its eyes on reinvention. After all, you can only be at the top of your game for so long using the same formula which Elon Musk is learning. In 2023 and 2024, many EVs will be available to us. Therefore, although awesome, a Tesla isn’t the only or best choice. With Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Honda, and countless others taking a page from Tesla’s book and launching their own super EVs, this has created more competition in the electric market.

We’d say this is a positive thing, considering with more competition comes better design and innovation. The Tesla Model 3 Highland was always a project meant to make this car more accessible to the masses while giving it new and exciting features or adjustments. One of the issues with Tesla is that it’s far beyond its time. Therefore, whenever we see a new car from the brand: it either confuses us or immediately attracts us to the company (or both).

The Model 3 is a prime example of this, using rounded design features we haven’t seen on a car, nonetheless an EV ever. The Project Highland hopes to keep this charm heading into 2024 but with a newly designed front-end and minor interior tweaks.

Related: Why Tesla Will Never Worry About Competing With Mainstream Automakers

The Model 3’s Legacy Will Live On Forever

• Tesla’s production and sales hit a peak in 2022.
• As of Q2 this year, Tesla has made 480,000 vehicles, most being Model 3 and Y.

As 2023 nears Q4 and the sales year for Tesla begins its wind down, it’s worth mentioning how far the Model 3 has taken it. Although Project Highland has promised to bring new life to the iconic Model 3 lineup, we’re not here to snub our noses at what we currently have from Tesla. For example, according to a press release from Tesla, the company produced nearly 480,000 vehicles and delivered over 466,000 cars in the second quarter of this year. This comes from a July 2nd investor press release, mentioning the Model 3 and Model Y leading the pack for sales and manufacturing.

Moreover, Tesla hit a peak of 1,369,611 cars made in 2022, with 2024 slated to be another record-breaking year for the company. 2023 marked a dawn of new competition and an unstable financial market, so we aren’t betting on the final tallies being more than 2022. However, that’s not to say Tesla has flopped by any means: this is simply the time it can take to create something new and affordable for drivers.

With the Model 3 continuing to be a primary sales point for Tesla, the Highland model should only further its success heading into Q1-Q4 of 2024. Here’s to a facelift!