There’s no denying that the Tesla Model 3 ranks among the best all-electric compact sedans available. It defined the segment when it arrived nearly a decade ago. Today, Model 3 stands alone, and only now has the bar it set so high been raised even higher by the BMW i3. We recently spent time with a Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD, while the 2023 Subaru Solterra underwent repairs after someone backed into it, parked, and was unoccupied in front of our home. The takeaway? It’s the ultimate commuter bubble.
As a recap, we used to own a Model 3 Performance. While incredibly quick in a straight line, it didn’t deliver on driver engagement. It handled well and had plenty of grip, too, but didn’t give you any joy or satisfaction because it’s so disconnected, artificial, and too busy trying to be perfect. Worse of all, it lacked balance. The excessive power meant the chassis and brakes just couldn’t keep up. Meanwhile, the numb steering added to the robotic feel and lack of character.
Anyway, with that out of the way, let’s take a closer look at this Model 3 Premium RWD.
Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD: Same Old, Same Old
In terms of design, the Model 3 dates back to 2017. It’s the same curvaceous fastback sedan as before, just with fresh headlights and taillights from 2023 and beyond. The result? A sleeker appearance with a slightly less bulbous front end. Our old Performance model had a unique lower front fascia, 20-inch wheels, a Performance badge on the trunk, and a specific rear diffuser. On the other hand, this Premium model has a clean front fascia without openings or air curtains, while the rear looks more basic and anonymous.
Inside, the minimalist design continues with everything housed inside a 15.4-inch touchscreen. The only differences between the different variants lie in the trim and interior materials. Standard seats with short cushions in place of the heavily bolstered sport buckets of the Performance model, and a more basic, austere interior despite the multi-color ambient lighting. Meanwhile, it has nice materials inside. However, this is NOT a luxury car interior. It’s a slightly nicer mainstream cabin that can’t quite match higher-end Hyundais and Kias. A bit of wind noise also gets in on the highway, specifically from the driver’s side A-pillar.
The bad news: Tesla’s fit and finish still falls short. This particular example has a misaligned hood and interior ambient light strips. Additionally, the Model 3 as a whole feels dated despite its cutting-edge tech and refreshed exterior. At nearly 10 years in its current generation, competitors have a fresher feel, all while catching up or leapfrogging the brand that started it all.
Everything On a Screen
Tesla continues to lead in the software front, and the infotainment system proves that. It’s quick, responsive, and incredibly vivid. However, the multiple layers of submenus mean it has a learning curve made even worse by key functions like the shifter being placed in there. Meanwhile, the nine-speaker audio system sounds good, but falls short of the 17-speaker unit in the Performance and AWD Premium models. The Premium RWD version deserves that version because this nine-speaker setup doesn’t belong here.
What about the driver assistance features? They are overly intrusive, with features like forward collision warning freaking out too early even in its least aggressive setting. Meanwhile, Autopilot (Tesla-speak for adaptive cruise control) operates in a jerky manner, applying too much braking or acceleration in traffic. Unfortunately, you must subscribe to Full Self Driving (Supervised) for full functionality. Without it, the system lacks automatic lane changing and several features that competitors include as standard on certain, if not all, trim levels. With Autosteer on, you can’t even change lanes on your own without turning off adaptive cruise control. On the bright side, at least Tesla’s driver assistance tech isn’t nanny-like and keeps the driver at the helm.
Tesla Model 3 Premium: Efficiency King
Behind the wheel, the single-motor Model 3 wows with its efficiency. During our time with it, the lowest we saw was 4 miles per kWh. Let that sink in. This sedan effortlessly achieves efficiency ratings most EVs struggle to get. In fact, we easily managed 5 to 6 miles per kWh. When you take the Model 3 RWD’s 82-kWh battery and its 79 kWh of usable capacity int consideration, this is the most road trip worthy compact electric sedan. It’ll easily do more than 300 miles and it benefits from the convenience of the Supercharger network.
As for the rest of the driving experience, it’s mostly good. The Model 3 RWD handles reasonably well with good body control and composure. It rides well with the standard 18-inch wheels. Thanks to the generous sidewall, it does a good job absorbing most impacts. However, big bumps cause excessive vertical motions, causing the car to feel floaty. Additionally, the suspension, while an improvement over the pre-refresh car, still gets crashy because it’s stiff. The Model 3 Performance with its adaptive dampers rides better than the standard setup, especially in its softest mode. On the other hand, the steering is devoid of any communication, amplifying the Model 3’s clinical feel and lack of personality.
In terms of straight-line speed, no surprise, the rear-drive Model 3 rips. Tesla does not publish output numbers, but we suspect this example has around 280 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Regardless, the car has effortless power for every situation. In fact, this has the right amount of power for this vehicle and it feels more in-tune with the chassis. Meanwhile, the one-pedal driving works beautifully and it’s easy to bring the car to a smooth stop.
The Perfect Daily Driver?
After spending plenty of time with the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD, we came away with positive thoughts. This variant is the one to buy. However, we wish Tesla would give it the epic 17-speaker premium audio system because it’s the only thing missing in an otherwise nearly perfect spec.
The best way to describe the Model 3 is that it’s the perfect commuter for the everyday consumer, not the driving enthusiast. Yes, it handles well and has quick acceleration, but it lacks the personality or engagement of true sports sedans like a Polestar 2 or even a BMW 3 Series. On the other hand, its improved ride does make it easy to devour long miles. However, just don’t expect the same sophistication as in larger sedans or competitors who put a big emphasis on balance and impeccable chassis tuning.
Politics aside, the Tesla Model 3 offers a lot, especially this Premium RWD model. For drivers who don’t need AWD, it’s the ideal commuter bubble. It’s a car you don’t need to think about because it does what it needs to do and that’s to get you from point A to B in relative comfort and ease.
