New Tesla Model 3 Standard cuts starting price to £38k

New entry-level Model 3 lands with keen pricing and lower insurance costs...

Tesla Model 3 Standard front driving

On sale February Price from £37,990

Tesla has unveiled a new entry-level variant of its big-selling executive car. The Tesla Model 3 Standard will replace the current Rear Wheel Drive entry point to the range, and it’ll undercut the outgoing variant in price by £2000.

In order to slash the starting price, Tesla has removed some of the more premium features from the old RWD variant, such as swapping some of its faux-leather upholstery for cloth, forgoing a subwoofer and AM and FM tuners for the sound system, and removing the rear touchscreen.

Performance has been tweaked slightly, with the Model 3 Standard taking 6.2sec to race to 60mph – some 0.4sec slower than the outgoing variant. The top speed has also been capped to 110mph instead of the previous 125mph. These changes have been made to ensure the Model 3 Standard qualifies for the lowest insurance group of any Tesla (32).

No battery capacity has been confirmed, but the Model 3 Standard is officially capable of travelling 332 miles on a single charge, suggesting that its key components remain unchanged from the RWD model.

The Model 3 Standard receives the same 15.4in infotainment touchscreen as other variants, as well as a panoramic glass roof, power-adjustable and heated front seats, two wireless phone chargers and a powered tailgate, plus 594 litres of boot space. A ‘frunk’ space under the bonnet adds 88 litres of storage.

UK deliveries of the Model 3 Standard will start at the end of next month. Prices start at £37,990, significantly undercutting rivals like the BMW i4, BYD Seal and Polestar 2.

The American firm also announced the launch of the Tesla Model Y Standard last year, with first deliveries due to start around the same time as the equivalent Model 3.


For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Next: Best electric cars >>