Tesla fat-shames older Model 3 cars with 'puffy cheeks' as it denies legroom shrinkage in the Highland refresh

Tesla's chief designer Franz von Holzhausen picked phrases like "puffy cheeks," "baby fat," or "slimmer headlights" to tout the more elegant exterior of the newest Model 3 Highland refresh in comparison with the previous version in a neat video ad.

There, he explains how Tesla achieved the Highland's more aggressive, streamlined silhouette which is undoubtedly a looker compared to the previous Model 3.

Several other Tesla execs also make a cameo in the new ad talking about various upgrades such as  reinforced sides and doors, or interior accoutrements like ambient lighting and the ability to adjust the front seat from the back one for more legroom.

The Highland facelift doesn't have less legroom

It's precisely that rear seat legroom that has gotten a bad rap ever since the Highland's release. People have been complaining that thicker cushioning and sharper recline are leaving them with the impression for a more cramped knee space there.

Tesla's head of vehicle engineering Lars Moravy, however, was quick to point out that these are just subjective feelings that are probably stemming from the fact that the Highland has more trunk space and more comfortable rear seating.

"Nope, we found efficiencies in the rear packaging to increase truck space and we increased the rear seat incline to improve comfort while adding cushion to the seat base," he replied to one such "less legroom" comment.

The Model 3 Highland is now released in all major Tesla markets globally, including in North America, although both in the US and in Canada its price has now practically levelled off with the Model Y's starting tag. The Model Y will also have a Highland-inspired facelift dubbed Juniper which, however, may only launch in the US in 2025.

Get the 80A Tesla Gen 2 Wall Connector with 24' cable on Amazon