You're trying to compare the cheapest Model 3 with the most expensive Model S, which explains the discrepancy. Only the P85D/P90D get from 0-60 in less than 4 seconds, and I'm sure the top end Model 3 will be similar.
>Given that this is an electric car, and that its size and weight are commensurable to the (presumably) smaller electric motor, I would expect it to have similar 0-60 times.
To get sub-4 seconds you need to add a second motor (and larger motors for the "P" versions), which Tesla made optional to keep the base price down.
Also peak battery power limits the 0-60. Again to keep the base price down the cheapest Model 3 has a smaller battery than the S, which tends to reduce peak power and therefore acceleration. That explains the performance drop from 5.4s to <6s.
>Given that this is an electric car, and that its size and weight are commensurable to the (presumably) smaller electric motor, I would expect it to have similar 0-60 times.
And so it does! The fastest RWD Model S has a 0-60 of 5.4 seconds. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_S#Specifications
To get sub-4 seconds you need to add a second motor (and larger motors for the "P" versions), which Tesla made optional to keep the base price down.
Also peak battery power limits the 0-60. Again to keep the base price down the cheapest Model 3 has a smaller battery than the S, which tends to reduce peak power and therefore acceleration. That explains the performance drop from 5.4s to <6s.