If you keep up with automotive news, you may have heard the phrase “software-defined vehicle.” In some contexts, this term has been used to describe the era the industry is in—or will be—in over the next few years. In other cases, it’s an umbrella title for the current generation of electrified vehicles with big, bold infotainment displays and a prominent lack of physical buttons.
One of the biggest players in the software-defined era is Tesla, and while the Model Y has been its best-selling nameplate, the Model 3 is the most affordable vehicle in its stable. At P2.1 million, the mid-spec Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD offers an overwhelming amount of software—so much that engineering has taken a supporting role. But does a car with a megaphone and a fart simulator also deliver the basics in ride comfort and driving feel?
Styling
While Tesla designs stand out, I’ve found that the Model 3 progressively gets easier on the eyes. The sharp curves soften over time and seamlessly blend into the car’s overall frame. However, the blacked-out 18-inch alloys will not make you forget that this sedan can pull some serious speed. The flat, wide windmill design complements the sharp, sleek headlamps and tailights to form a consistently sporty look. Mind that this is the pre-facelift version; the newer Model 3 gets silver wheels with similar blacked-out emblems.
Those executive-style cues might lend themselves better to the tall roofline, but that contradicts the Model 3’s entire aerodynamic look. The roofline then slides into what looks like a hatchback-style tailgate, which doesn’t exactly scream “performance sedan.”
That’s not to say the Model 3 looks messy. It has a refreshingly basic look, made with elements that ultimately give it a sporty and executive stance—depending on where you’re looking.
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Interior
If there aren’t a lot of things going on on the outside, there are even fewer things on the inside. The cabin of the Model 3 is bare and empty. From the driver’s seat, it’s just a steering wheel (with two circular dials), a massive infotainment display, and a couple of wireless phone chargers. However, every button and touchpoint is always tactile and responsive. These are the little things that eventually build into a consistently enjoyable and comfortable experience.
Even the cabin materials are plain and uninteresting. However, I began to notice and appreciate the subtle luxuries within the Model 3. The soft padding behind the boring fabric immediately made it feel premium, and the same goes for the leather that covers other surfaces throughout the cabin.
The seats are satisfyingly firm and decently wide. That, coupled with the tall roofline, means taller drivers and passengers should find ample space and comfort in the Model 3. In terms of utility, there aren’t a lot of storage compartments, but there are four USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad to keep gadgets topped up.
The star of the interior is definitely the 15.4-inch screen in the middle. As you have probably heard, this isn’t just an infotainment display—it essentially controls the whole car. There is even a smaller screen in the second row for climate controls and the other kooky features Elon Musk loaded onto Tesla’s software—but more on that later. Your gearshift, basically a forward-reverse slider, is on the upper left-hand side, while the climate controls are affixed to the bottom of the screen. This makes learning the interface much easier compared to other software-defined vehicles.
Everything else is hidden behind other menus and screens that naturally require some exploration—like a new phone or a big software update. At times, this got bothersome, which then prompted me to just use voice commands.
And while I did miss Apple CarPlay, the onboard software powers arguably the best driver-assist systems I have seen in a vehicle. With feeds from eight cameras, it uses the entire screen to display an accurate image of the road, complete with road signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
Cargo space was the biggest surprise with the Model 3. During my time with the car, I was helping my girlfriend move into a new place, and we managed to fit a wardrobe’s worth of clothes, her PC setup, and a few more appliances. I couldn’t find the full storage capacity, but between the frunk and the rear cargo area (with the second row folded), there was a vast amount of space. With the seats up and not counting the frunk, cargo capacity is listed at 626 liters.
Powertrain performance
Around the time I had the Model 3, one-pedal driving was permanent, and regenerative braking was kept at the strongest setting. The Premium RWD Model 3 is rated for 520km of range on a full charge, and it looked like Tesla was hellbent on delivering on that standard.
With very aggressive regenerative braking, the Model 3 returned 6.7km/kWh, which is equivalent to 23km/L for a petrol-powered car. This actually puts its expected range at around 430km given the 64kWh battery. That’s enough for drives around Metro Manila and nearby provinces, but it is still a considerable drop-off from the suggested figure.
Once you get over the learning curve of one-pedal driving, the Model 3 actually has some spirit to it. The electric sedan achieves the advertised 0-100kph sprint in just over 6sec. This compact sedan is fast, and it can go decently far. On paper, it makes 280hp and 340Nm of torque, although Tesla seems to prefer highlighting its blistering acceleration.
Ride and handling
The steering system does a great job of balancing the heavy—and at times bothersome—brakes with some weight of its own. In slower-moving drives, the 1,765kg curb weight of the Model 3 is evident, but it consistently feels solid and still maintains confidence, even when it feels like you’re towing something.
That weight is still present on faster drives and quick launches, which is scary the first few times around—like operating a rock launched from a slingshot. But the accurate steering and those heavy brakes worked in great tandem with the suspension to deliver a stable drive.
Along with consistent stability, the Model 3 is also exceptionally quiet. The double-walled glass tuned out most road noise, complementing the solid sound system inside the car. NVH is top-notch, and it becomes easy to envision yourself being driven by a chauffeur or by the Model 3 itself—though I did not attempt to use the autonomous driving features, as Marcos Highway didn’t inspire any confidence with any kind of self-driving technology. But the great sound isolation, the panoramic roof, and the second eight-inch screen in the second row? This made the backseat tempting.
Extra features
This section could be its own article as the Model 3 houses an entire console of games and other random applications. On the main 15.4-inch display, Netflix, Spotify, and Google Maps are standard, along with a soundboard, a megaphone, and a fart simulator. The rear eight-inch display can run most of the same applications, including Stardew Valley and other games.
There are also several modes for when the Model 3 is, well, idling. These include a campfire setting, a specific mode for when pets are left in the car, and a sentry mode, which engages all cameras on the car.
Presumably, these features would be most useful if you had to wait in your car as it charged for a few hours. However, considering all Tesla chargers (and most EV charging stations) in the Philippines are attached to malls and larger commercial centers, it is hard to see when these features would actually be used.
This being a P2.1-million car, naturally, it packs adaptive cruise control, lane-departure assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a suite of other advanced driver-assist features. That said, this pre-facelift Model 3 does not yet come standard with a front-facing parking camera—more odd and surprising than bothersome and inconvenient.
Verdict
The Model 3 is a lot of car, but there is also not much to it. It’s the poster vehicle for the phrase “appliance on wheels.” The software truly overshadows the engineering, but if you look beyond the novelties, the Model 3 comes through and delivers.
For just over P2.1 million, buyers will be getting a very heavy, very fast, and very comfortable sedan, but they will also face a steep learning curve. Technically, they do not need to explore the vast software of the Model 3, but it is a large part of what they will pay for.
If buyers are also willing to buy into the Tesla ecosystem and embrace everything about it—the EV lifestyle, along with the apps and over-the-air updates—then the Model 3 produces a rather rewarding ownership experience.
Specs: 2026 Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD
Price: P2,109,000
Powertrain: Permanent magnet synchronous + 64kWh battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Power: 280hp
Torque: 340Nm
Layout: RWD
Seating: 5
Score: 8.5/10
More photos of the 2026 Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD:
