New Tesla Model 3 2026 Long Range RWD drives up to 750km on a single charge, beating BYD Seal and Polestar 2

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The 2026 Tesla Model 3 becomes Australia’s longest driving range electric car with the addition of a new Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) trim. 

With 750km WLTP combined range when fitted with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, the new Model 3 Long Range RWD beats the Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor (706km) and Polestar 2 (659km). 

The new Long Range RWD variant is priced from a competitive $61,900, before on-road costs, slipping between the Standard Range ($54,900) and Long Range AWD ($64,900, all before on-road costs) in the range. 

That’s dearer than the BYD Seal Premium but undercuts the entry-level Polestar 2. 

Tesla has also upgraded the Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery pack in the Model 3 Performance, resulting in range bumping from 528km to 571km, for a price of $80,900 — no change from MY25.

Performance remains otherwise consistent, with 0-100km/h in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 261km/h thanks to 343kW from a pair of electric motors. 

These changes follow those made last month to China-market Model 3s (Australian cars are manufactured there), where the Long Range RWD is known as the Model 3+. 

Typically Tesla does not disclose the capacity of its batteries, but filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reveal the new LG-made battery has a 78.4kWh capacity. The current Long Range AWD has a circa-75kWh battery capacity.

The new Long Range RWD in China is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds, about eight tenths slower than the AWD. 

Model 3 LR RWD features are based on the Standard Range, listed below:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED head and tail lights
• Power-adjust front seats
• Black vinyl upholstery
• Heated and ventilated sets
• Tri-zone climate control
• 15.4-inch central touchscreen
• 8.0-inch rear touchscreen
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
• Onboard internet connectivity with downloadable apps
• Over-the-air software updates (SOTA)
• Two wireless smartphone chargers
• Two USB-C charge points
• 12-volt socket

The only major change moving up to the LR AWD is the addition of a 17-speaker sound system, instead of nine speakers. 

Optional extras include white upholstery, premium paint, and 19-inch alloy wheels which lower the range to 691km. 

These new models will be capable of Tesla’s newly-released Full Self Driving (Supervised) driver assistance suite, which appears to be turning Tesla sales around locally with Model Y placing third in September sales figures, according to data from the FCAI and EV Council. 

This tech is available for a one-off fee of $10,900, or $149 monthly in Australia. 

Tesla’s supercharging sites continue to expand with over 1000 plus at 163 locations across Australia. 

The revised Model 3 Performance and new Model 3 Long Range RWD are available to order now. 

2026 Tesla Model 3 pricing

Prices listed are before on-road costs

• Model 3 SR RWD — $54,900
• Model 3 LR RWD — $61,900 (new)
• Model 3 LR AWD — $64,900
• Performance AWD — $80,900