New Tesla Model 3 Standard is Elon’s most affordable EV yet
The new Tesla Model 3 Standard is the American firm’s most affordable EV so far, with a headline price tag of £37,990.
What’s more, Tesla has optimised the car especially for the UK – meaning it should be the cheapest Model 3 to insure, too.
A headline PCP offer makes the Model 3 Standard relatively affordable to finance, with payments of £249 a month over five years (for those who can afford a £9,100 deposit).
Alternatively, the new entry-level Tesla is available for £299 a month over three years with a £3,588 deposit.
The Standard slots into the Model 3 range below the existing (and renamed) Model 3 Premium, which costs from £44,990 in Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive guise.
What is the new Tesla Model 3 Standard?
The new Tesla Model 3 Standard is a cheaper version of the existing Model 3. Money is saved by using fabric inserts for the seats, deleting the rear touchscreen for passengers, removing ambient interior lighting and fitting a manually-adjustable steering wheel.
The Tesla Model 3 Standard also loses the stereo subwoofer, auto-dim door mirrors and heated rear seats, while clever frequency-dependent suspension dampers are replaced with basic passive dampers.
Folllowing customer feedback, the latest Model 3 does, however, once again have an indicator stalk.
Unlike the larger Tesla Model Y Standard, it also retains a panoramic glass roof. The tailgate is powered, too.
Tesla’s lowest ever insurance rating
Tesla doesn’t disclose battery capacity figures, but the Tesla Model 3 Standard has a smaller battery than the Model 3 Premium. It still has a range of 322 miles, though, and the firm says WLTP-tested energy consumption of 20.9kWh per 100 miles betters many smaller city EVs.
It’s arguably still quick enough too, with a 0-60mph time of 6.2 seconds. Interestingly, Tesla has capped the car’s top speed to 110mph, which helps it achieve a lowest-ever Tesla insurance rating of group 32.
The 18-inch ‘Photon’ alloy wheels also promise cheaper replacement tyres, while still maintaining good retained values. Tesla says this was another specific adaptation for the UK.
Deliveries of the new Tesla Model 3 Standard will begin towards the end of February 2026.
ALSO READ:
Fiat and Abarth slash EV prices by up to £4,000
UK prices and specs revealed for Alpine A390 electric SUV
Research shows Porsche drivers are the least organised
