Tesla Model 3 entry cut by $9000 as part of MY27 update

Electric sedan now sub $46K, while all models gain upgrades

The cost of entry to the Tesla Model 3 electric sedan has been dramatically reduced by $9000 for its 2027 model year with the introduction of an anticipated new base model.

Tesla’s no-trim-name Model 3 is priced from $45,900, positioning it well below the Premium grade that shares its rear-wheel-drive, single-motor set-up.

Tesla Australia has confirmed only that standard features for the cheaper Model 3 include 18-inch Prismate wheels (same size but different design to Premium variant), ‘matrix’ LED headlights, panoramic glass roof, 360-degree camera, and heating functions for the steering wheel and front seats.

It features a 16-inch front central touchscreen that’s borrowed from the Model Y and now integrated into every Model 3, replacing the previous 15.4-inch display.

There are seven speakers, the smallest audio count of any model, and the rear cabin 8.0-inch touchscreen found in other Model 3s is omitted. Second-row heating isn’t detailed and is also expected to be missing.

Based on the specification of the US base model, the new entry Model 3 is also likely to have a steering wheel with manual rather than electric adjustment, non-perforated artificial leather seats, manual rather than electric folding side mirrors, and passive dampers rather than “frequency dependent” dampers.

Only three exterior colours are available, comprising the no-cost Pearl White, $1500 Diamond Black, and $1900 Stealth Grey.

Tesla has quoted a WLTP range of up to 572 kilometres for the rear-wheel-drive base Model 3 – a 52km advantage over the next model up, the $54,990 Model 3 Premium.

It’s the slowest grade with a 0-100km/h acceleration claim of 6.2 seconds, though it’s only a tenth behind the Premium RWD.

Premium and Performance grades of the Model 3 are now available with a dark headliner and the option of a Zen Grey interior.

Premium grades also add a new optional wheel design – 19-inch ‘Dark Nova’.

The flagship Performance has also extended its WLTP range by 29km to a neat 600km. That still leaves it 150km shy of the Model 3 Premium Long Range rear-wheel drive, which currently has the benchmark EV battery distance available.

Tesla has also made its ‘Power Share’ vehicle-to-load capability available on all models where it was previously limited to specific variants.

The MY27 Model 3 range is available for ordering from today, with deliveries starting later this month (October).