Key Points
- Model 3 sedan priced from $57,400
- Up to 602km range for best-selling EV
- Aerodynamic body, high-tech minimalist interior
UPDATE: 2024 Tesla Model 3 mid-life update
The Tesla electric car offers between 491km to 602km of claimed WLTP driving range depending on the variant. It shares the same base as the more practical Model Y electric SUV, but provides more driving range and quicker performance due to its lighter aerodynamic body shape.
OFFER: $375 off a Tesla Model Y and 3 months free trial for Enhanced AutopilotUPDATE 1/7/23: Tesla Australia cuts Model 3 range price by $3900, resulting in a record low.
The Model 3 is eligible for select Australian electric car incentives, including the fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption for fleets and novated leases on all variants.
The Shanghai-made EV goes head-to-head with its Model Y electric SUV twin in the sales charts, plus rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Polestar 2, upcoming BYD Seal.
Model 3 Specs: Range, Charging and Size
All three Model 3 electric sedan variants are differentiated by the drivetrain and battery pack.
The Model 3 rear-wheel drive (RWD) has a single-motor setup and is most efficient, while all-wheel drive Long Range and Performance models gain more powerful dual-motors and a larger battery to yield more driving range.
The key difference is the Model 3 RWD has a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery and can recharge at up to 170kW DC (with no charge limit), whereas the Long Range and Performance use a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) pack and peaks at up to 250kW DC speeds (with a 90 per cent charge limit recommendation).
View the full specsModel 3 Price and Models
All three Model 3 electric sedan variants share largely the same features as standard.
EDITOR'S NOTE: All prices listed below exclude Tesla’s mandatory $400 ordering fee and $1400 delivery charge.
Model 3 RWD price: $57,400 before on-road costs
The Tesla Model 3 is priced from $57,400 before on-road costs for the standard range RWD. Key features include a 15-inch central touchscreen with over-the-air software update capabilities, a minimalist animal-free interior, and camera-only safety assistance systems.
RWD features:
Battery | 57.5kWh usable LFP battery |
Exterior | 18-inch Aero cover alloy wheels |
LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights | |
Power folding, auto-dimming, heated wing mirrors | |
Matte black window surrounds, side indicators and flush door handles | |
Electric tailgate | |
Interior | Black vegan interior with wood decor |
Electrically adjustable front seats | |
Heated front and rear seats | |
Dual-zone climate control | |
Fixed glass roof | |
Double-glazed front windows | |
Interior floor mats | |
Technology | 15-inch central infotainment system and instruments with built-in Google Maps |
Over-the-air software update capability | |
30-day Premium Connectivity trial | |
Dual Qi wireless charging phone pad | |
Four USB-C charging ports | |
128GB USB for dashcam and Sentry Mode recording | |
13-speaker premium audio | |
Tesla mobile app | |
Safety assist | Tesla Vision Basic Autopilot package |
Auto emergency braking (AEB) | |
Lane departure warning and lane-centering assist | |
Blind-spot monitoring and camera view | |
Adaptive cruise control ‘Autopilot’ | |
Reversing camera |
Model 3 Long Range price: $70,400 before on-road costs
Additionally, for $13,000 more, the Long Range gains LED fog lights, the larger battery pack, and dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain.
Long Range adds:
Battery | 75kWh usable NMC battery |
Exterior | LED front fog lights |
Model 3 Performance price: $83,400 before on-road costs
The flagship Performance costs an another $13,000 and includes additional features, such as the more powerful drivetrain tune, 21-inch Überturbine wheels with red-painted performance brake callipers, lowered suspension, and a carbon fibre rear spoiler.
Performance adds:
Exterior | 21-inch Überturbine wheels |
Performance brakes with red-painted callipers | |
Carbon fibre rear spoiler | |
Lowered suspension | |
Interior | Aluminium pedals |
Technology | Track mode |
Increased top speed to 261km/h (up from 225-233km/h) |
Tesla Model 3 options
- Standard paint – no cost: Pearl White Multi-Coat
- Premium paint – $1500: Solid Black; Midnight Silver Metallic; Deep Blue Metallic
- Red Multi-Coat paint – $2400
- 19-inch Sport wheels (RWD and Long Range only) – $1800
- Black and white interior – $1500
- Tesla Mobile Connector trickle charging cable – $550
Enhanced Autopilot – $5100:
- Navigate on Autopilot on highways (assists with lane changing and highway exits)
- Automatic lane change assist
- Automatic parking assist
- Summon (remotely move forwards and backwards)
- Smart Summon (remotely drives to owner)
‘Full Self-Driving Capability’ – $10,100:
- Enhanced Autopilot features
- Traffic light and stop sign control (slows down the vehicle while using adaptive cruise control)
Premium Connectivity – $9.99/month:
- Satellite-view maps with live-traffic lines
- Music and video app streaming
- Remote exterior and interior camera monitoring (via mobile app)
- Karaoke
- Internet browser
Model 3 Government Incentives
As of the time of writing, the Tesla Model 3 variants eligible for government incentives are summarised in the table below. Refer to the following for more information on the; federal FBT exemption and state-based incentives.
Model 3 Warranty and Servicing
The Tesla Model 3 is backed by a four-year/80,000km vehicle warranty and roadside assistance with a different battery warranty depending on the drivetrain variant
For the base Model 3 RWD, it has a eight-year/160,000km battery warranty, whereas the Model 3 Long Range and Performance are covered for eight-years/192,000km. Tesla promises it’ll keep at least 70 per cent of its battery health over the coverage period.
It adopts a condition-based servicing scheme, meaning the vehicle will notify the owner when its sensors detect it’s time for check-up via the mobile app.
Tesla also recommends a range of specific routine maintenance tasks, including:
- Cabin air filter – every two years
- Tyre rotation, balance and wheel alignment – every 10,000km/if the tread depth difference is 1.5mm or more
- Brake fluid test – every two years
- Air conditioning desiccant bag – replace every four years
- Cleaning and lubricating brake callipers – every 12 months/20,000km (for cars in cold weather regions only)
Model 3 vs Other EVs
The Tesla Model 3 RWD compares favourably on paper with the similarly-priced Polestar 2 and Cupra Born, with more claimed WLTP driving range due to better efficiency – despite the smaller battery – faster 0-100km/h performance and a larger boot, albeit with a less practical sedan opening.
Model 3 Price History
NOTE: Prices exclude on-road costs, mandatory $400 ordering fee, and $1400 delivery charge.
Model/Variant | February 2023 | April 2023 | May 2023 | July 2023 |
Model 3 RWD | $64,300 | $60,900 | $61,300 | $57,400 |
Model 3 Long Range | $77,300 | $73,900 | $74,300 | $70,400 |
Model 3 Performance | $90,300 | $86,900 | $87,300 | $83,400 |
Model 3 FAQs
Datawrappers by Danny Thai
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