Key Points
- New Tesla Model 3 vehicles delivered in Australia now come with a 16-inch centre touchscreen and a dark headliner, replacing the 15.4-inch screen and light grey roof lining.
- Every model year 2027 (MY27) Model 3 also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) using Tesla's optional $145 Outlet Adapter.
- The changes bring the Model 3 into line with the Model Y, which gained the 16-inch screen and dark headliner in Australia in January 2026.
Tesla has updated the Model 3 for model year 2027 (MY27). New Model 3s delivered in Australia now come with a larger 16-inch centre touchscreen, a dark headliner and support for vehicle-to-load (V2L).
The upgrades bring the Model 3 into line with the Model Y, which got the bigger screen and dark headliner in Australia in January 2026. Until now, the Model 3 kept the older 15.4-inch screen and a light grey headliner. The changes apply to cars built at Tesla's Shanghai factory, which supplies Australia, with deliveries from the fourth quarter of 2026.
What changes on the Model 3
The table below compares the outgoing Model 3 with the MY27 version.
Tesla Model 3 MY27 changes in Australia
Feature | Previous Model 3 | MY27 Model 3 |
Centre touchscreen | 15.4-inch, 1920 x 1200 | 16-inch, 2560 x 1440 |
Headliner | Light grey | Dark |
Vehicle-to-load (V2L) | Not supported | Supported with optional adapter |
Light interior option (Premium, Performance) | White | Zen Grey |
19-inch Nova wheels (Premium) | Silver finish | Dark grey finish (Dark Nova) |
The update covers the full Model 3 range. That includes the new entry-level Model 3 RWD, priced from $45,900 before on-road costs.
Bigger, sharper 16-inch touchscreen
The Model 3's centre screen grows from 15.4 inches to 16 inches. The size increase is small, but the new panel has a much higher resolution.
Resolution rises from 1920 x 1200 to 2560 x 1440 (QHD). The screen also changes shape. It moves to a 16:9 aspect ratio, so it is wider than before but slightly shorter. Tesla says the new display also has a higher refresh rate.
Tesla Model 3 15.4-inch vs 16-inch touchscreen
Specification | Previous screen | New screen |
Size | 15.4 inches | 16 inches |
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2560 x 1440 (QHD) |
Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 16:9 |
Width | 13.06 inches | 13.95 inches |
Height | 8.16 inches | 7.84 inches |
Screen area | 106.59 sq in | 109.39 sq in |
It is the same screen the Model Y has used in Australia since January 2026. The Model Y Performance had it before that.
Dark headliner replaces light grey
Until now, every Model 3 has had a light grey headliner. This applied even when buyers chose the black interior. Owners have asked Tesla for a darker roof lining for years.
The MY27 Model 3 now has a dark headliner, matching the Model Y. Overseas reports based on configurator updates in China, Australia and New Zealand say it applies across all Model 3 trims. Tesla Australia has not confirmed this trim by trim.
Two other cosmetic changes come with the update:
- Zen Grey interior replaces the white interior option on the Model 3 Premium and Performance. It is a softer light grey finish.
- 19-inch Dark Nova wheels are now available on the Model 3 Premium. They use a darker grey finish than the previous silver-toned Nova wheels.
Vehicle-to-load comes to the Model 3
The biggest functional change is vehicle-to-load. It lets owners run appliances, tools and devices from the car's high-voltage battery. Tesla calls the feature Powershare.
The Model 3 has never supported V2L in Australia. The six-seat Model Y L was the first Tesla to offer it locally, and Tesla has now extended it to MY27 Model Y vehicles as well.
V2L is not built into the cabin. There are no power sockets inside the car or in the boot which is available in somw other EV models. Owners need the Tesla Outlet Adapter, which plugs into the charge port and has an Australian power outlet on the other end.
Key details of V2L on the Model 3 in Australia:
- Adapter price: $145 from the Tesla Shop. It is sold separately and is not included with the car.
- Output: up to 3.45kW from a 15A plug, or up to 2.3kW from a standard 10A plug.
- Eligible cars: only MY27 Model 3s. Tesla says older Model 3s cannot be retrofitted.
- Warranty: Tesla's warranty does not cover damage caused by third-party bidirectional adapters or chargers.
The retrofit limit comes down to hardware. Reports say V2L needs specific bidirectional power electronics in the onboard charger, which earlier cars do not have.
At the time of writing, Tesla's Australian online shop listing for the Outlet Adapter still said it was compatible only with the Model Y L. Owners should check compatibility for their car in the Tesla app before buying.
How Australia compares with other markets
Tesla has rolled out the Model 3 update unevenly around the world. Cars built in Shanghai get the most complete package. Cars built in the US get fewer changes.
Tesla Model 3 MY27 update by market
Market | 16-inch screen | Dark headliner | V2L |
Australia and New Zealand | Yes | Yes | Yes |
China | Yes, all variants | Yes | Yes, up to 2.2kW |
South Korea | Yes, from October 2026 deliveries | Yes | Yes |
US, Puerto Rico and Mexico | Yes, all variants | Performance only | No |
Canada | No (15.4-inch remains) | Not announced | No |
In China, the Model 3 can supply up to 2.2kW of AC power through an adapter priced at 599 yuan. Australia's adapter supports higher output from a 15A plug.
In South Korea, Model 3s delivered from October 2026 get the 16-inch screen, black headliner, Zen Grey seats and V2L.
In the US, Tesla announced on 2 October 2026 that every Model 3 now comes with the 16-inch screen. Only the Model 3 Performance gets the black headliner. The US Model 3 Performance also gains range and power, rising to 316 miles (about 509km) of EPA-rated range and 528hp. The US Model 3 does not get V2L.
Which Model 3s get the update
The changes apply to MY27 Model 3s delivered from the fourth quarter of 2026. Tesla adds new parts to its production lines as older stock runs out, rather than waiting for a single changeover date.
This means some cars delivered in the coming weeks may have been built before the change. Buyers with an order in place should check the build summary in their Tesla account or app. They can also ask their Tesla advisor to confirm the specification once a VIN is assigned.
Owners of existing Model 3s miss out. The 16-inch screen cannot be retrofitted, and a headliner swap is not a standard service offering. V2L also cannot be added to earlier Model 3s, according to Tesla.
The new $45,900 Model 3 RWD is due to reach customers from mid-to-late October 2026. As an MY27 car, it is covered by the update.
V2L has been common on rival EVs for years
The update closes a gap between the Model 3 and many rival EVs in Australia.
Hyundai has offered V2L on the IONIQ 5 since 2021, with up to 3.6kW of output and the adapter included. BYD offered V2L on the Atto 3 when it launched locally in 2022. BYD, MG, GWM, Geely and XPeng now offer V2L across much of their Australian line-ups. The 2026 XPeng G6 supplies up to 6kW.
Tesla has not announced vehicle-to-home (V2H) or vehicle-to-grid (V2G) for the Model 3 in Australia. V2L only powers individual devices plugged into the adapter.
About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
