Cheaper Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Variants Unveiled in the United States

Tesla has unveiled the new Standard variants of the Model 3 and the Model Y, arriving with a reduced list of features but landing at a lower price point.

Here’s what we know so far about the latest additions to the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y lineups. 

How much do the new Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Standard cost?

Unveiled in the United States, the new Model 3 Standard is priced at $36,990 (around $56,150 AUD as of October 2025), while the Model Y Standard is priced at $39,990 (around $60,700 AUD). 

This makes the new Model 3 and Model Y standard $5,500 (around $8,350 AUD) and $5,000 ($7,600 AUD) cheaper, respectively, than the previous entry-level Premium Rear-Wheel Drive model grades. 

While only confirmed for the U.S. so far, should the new standard variants come to Australia, they would likely sit below the existing Rear-Wheel Drive variants of the Model 3 (currently priced at $54,900 locally before on-road costs) and the Model Y($58,900 before on-roads). 

What features do the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Standard have? 

With their lower asking prices, certain features have been removed from the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Standard compared to their Premium counterparts. 

Some of the deleted features in both models include the FM/AM radio, 8-inch second row touchscreen, adaptive high beams, frequency-dependent shock absorbers, Autosteer function, second-row heated seats, customisable ambient lighting, power-adjustable steering wheel, power-folding mirrors, and the first-row seat ventilation. 

The Standard variants are instead equipped with a manually-adjustable steering wheel, manually-folding mirrors, passive shock absorbers, textile interior trim, and manual air vents in the second row. 

Visually, the new variants differ from the rest of their Model 3 and the Model Y stablemates, with new 18-inch wheel designs equipped as standard for both models. However, the aesthetic changes are most evident in the case of the Model Y, with a different taillight design and its front light bar deleted.

Prospective owners have three exterior colours to choose from for their Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Standard: Grey, White and Black. The interior is only available in black for both models. 

What are the specs of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Standard?

Tesla estimates the driving range of both the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Standard to be 321 miles (516km) on America’s strict EPA test cycle.

The respective range for both variants has decreased compared to the Model 3 and Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive models offered in the United States by 42 miles (67.59km) and 36 miles (57.94km).

However, the Model 3 and the Model Y Standard’s driving ranges aren’t the shortest in their lineups, with both models boasting further distances than their Performance variant counterparts in America by 12 miles (19.31km) for the Model 3 and 15 miles (24.14km) for the Model Y on the EPA cycle. 

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For reference, on the more-relaxed WLTP cycle, the Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive offered in Australia achieves 520km of driving range while the equivalent Model Y achieves 466km.

Acceleration times are slightly slower in both Standard versions compared to the Premium variants, with the Model 3 Standard quoted with a 0-60mph time (96.56km/h) in 5.8 seconds compared to 4.9 in the Premium model grade, while the Model Y Standard completes its run in a claimed 6.8 seconds, compared to 5.4.

Are the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Standard coming to Australia? 

Plans to bring the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y standard to Australia or indeed any market outside the United States are yet to be confirmed. 

In Australia, the Model 3 recently experienced a major lineup change with the axing of the Long Range All-Wheel Drive, with the new Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive variant joining the range. 

Meanwhile, the last major change to the Model Y range came with the return of the Performance variant early last month.