Was debating if this should go into Driving Dynamics but thought I'd post here instead. I got a chance to test drive that Millbrae Touring vehicle on Friday, and here are my impressions (and a couple photos of backseat well). I'll try to elaborate most on the backseat footwell as that's the main difference people can't judge from an AGT. Some driving dynamics comments but not much as it was rainy and a little dark around the 5PM test drive time, as well as rush hour - thus no launch and flooring the pedal.
Note, my only EV experience is with a year with M3LR and a few test drives with M3P and Lucid AGT & T.
tl;dr Anyone who wants the power and acceleration, you'll get more than plenty. Definitely settled any doubts I might've had, and will have a lot of fun in this car. Back passengers will be happy with the increased foot-well, but will still probably take the upgrade to sit in the back of an SUV. And why is the windshield tint so bloody low?
Driving:
- Power and acceleration was more than enough - plenty that I think the test drive show-person and my GF got a little motion sick (woops).
- Compared to the Model 3 Performance, it's definitely more substantial especially at higher speeds. While the M3P will have more of a head throwback at lower speeds due to the weight difference, the Touring definitely still had a head throwback. On the highway at higher speeds such as 40mph and 60mph, the Touring undoubtedly has more 'oomph' as the car lurched forward whereas the M3P would've been more of a shove.
- Was driving mostly in Swift and Sprint around highway speeds. Definitely more than plenty and as I got off the highway I changed to Swift and then down again to Smooth as the acceleration around town was getting a little too much for my passengers (and for me tbh). I believe I'd be more than happy with Swift for my spirited driving, Smooth for with passengers, and Sprint on occasion.
- Handling was definitely good. Heavy ass car but no complaints. Didn't slip in the rain under acceleration. Not much more I can say here as traffic, dark, and wet conditions stopped me from doing more.
Backseat (I'm 5'11 for reference, with my hip around 37-38"):
- As a baseline, the GT is okay. Lot of leg room, knees are definitely very high when sitting properly and my thigh is well in the air - only parts making contact to the seat is my butt. If I scoot down in the seat then more of my leg thigh is touching the seat. This is probably how I'd sit for any period of time over 15 minutes in the car as the high knee is mildly annoying.
- In the Touring, it is a notable improvement. It's definitely not spades of room where it's as if you're sitting in a SUV like a Model Y, but I'd say halfway between the GT and the Model Y. When I sat in it I was thinking "oh this is good, if only it were another inch" rather than "my thigh is still hanging and my knees are still in the air".
- In the first image below, I moved my feet forward maybe 6" or so in order to be in a much more comfortable sitting position. This would be what I'd be sitting like if I were in a long road trip such as from SF to LA - plenty comfortable. If I didn't move my feet up I'd probably eventually scoot down in the seat to give my lower thigh a rest (rather than being ever-so-slightly suspended) - I'd probably sit like this for shorter trips around town.
- Second image is just to illustrate the foot well compared to the rest of the car. Kind of hard to see with the Santa Cruz light interior but the darker areas show the depth somewhat.
Misc:
- 20" wheels were fairly quiet. I definitely heard some more than expected noise in the cabin when test driving the 19" and 21" in the AGT, but rest assured the 20" are going to be more than adequate for noise
- Tint on the windshield is definitely something I keep forgetting: why does it start so low?? I feel like I'm looking through a narrower than expected area as the tint darkens the top 30% of my visibility, and the HUD covers a decent bit of the bottom. This is honestly my main complaint of the car right now - visibility due to the low tint.
Oh, here is a bonus pic of someone who opted to take off the covers on a 20". I like it, though it does remind me of the wheels on the 2021 Honda Accord.