2026 · Buyer's guide

Tesla Model 3. The everyday sedan.

The most efficient and least expensive way into a Tesla. Four trims run from a $36,990 Standard to a Performance that reaches 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, and the Premium Rear-Wheel Drive carries the longest EPA range of anything Tesla sells.

Referral orders get 3 months of FSD (Supervised) free. Details

A white Tesla Model 3 photographed in motion on a highway.

At a glance

The Model 3 in four numbers.

Starting price

$36,990

Up to $54,990 before fees

EPA range

363 mi

Longest-range trim

0–60 mph

2.9 s

Quickest trim

Seats

5

Every trim

Trims

Which Model 3 to buy.

Prices before the $1,390 destination fee and $250 order fee. Range and acceleration are Tesla's published figures.

Trim Price Range 0–60 Drive Seats Referral FSD

Standard Rear-Wheel Drive

$36,990 321 mi 5.8 s RWD 5 3 months

Premium Rear-Wheel Drive

Our pick

$42,490 363 mi 4.9 s RWD 5 3 months

Premium All-Wheel Drive

$47,490 346 mi 4.2 s AWD 5 3 months

Performance

$54,990 309 mi 2.9 s AWD 5 3 months

Standard Rear-Wheel Drive · $36,990

The value pick.

321 miles covers a week of commuting on one charge. You give up the 15-speaker audio, the rear touchscreen, ventilated seats and the ambient light strip, and the battery warranty runs 100,000 miles rather than 120,000.

Premium Rear-Wheel Drive · $42,490

The range pick.

363 miles is the longest EPA rating of any Tesla on sale, with the full Premium interior. For most buyers this is the sweet spot.

Premium All-Wheel Drive · $47,490

For snow states.

Dual motors add traction and a 4.2-second sprint for $5,000 over Premium RWD, at the cost of about 17 miles of range.

Performance · $54,990

The quick one.

2.9 seconds to 60, adaptive suspension, Track Mode and a 163 mph top speed. Range drops to 309 miles, and it wants the most expensive tires in the lineup.

Best for

Buy the Model 3 if

  • Commuters who want the most range per dollar and the lowest running costs in the lineup.
  • One or two people, or a small family that is happy with a sedan trunk.
  • Drivers who park in tight city spaces. At 185 inches it is the shortest Tesla by a wide margin.

Look elsewhere

Think twice if

  • You regularly carry bulky cargo. The trunk opening is a sedan's, and there is no hatch.
  • You need more than five seats. Only Model Y offers a third row.
  • You tow. Model 3 has no factory tow rating in the US.

Worth knowing

Before you configure.

  • Basic warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles. Battery and drive unit: 8 years / 100,000 miles (Standard) or 120,000 miles (Premium, Performance) with 70% capacity retained.
  • Since January 23, 2026 new Model 3s ship with Traffic-Aware Cruise Control only. Lane-centering Autosteer is part of Full Self-Driving (Supervised), sold as a $99/month subscription.
  • Destination fee is $1,390 plus a $250 order fee, on top of the prices shown.

FAQ

Model 3 questions.

How much does a 2026 Tesla Model 3 cost?

The 2026 Model 3 starts at $36,990 for the Standard Rear-Wheel Drive, $42,490 for Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, $47,490 for Premium All-Wheel Drive and $54,990 for Performance. Add Tesla's $1,390 destination fee and a $250 order fee, plus your state's sales tax and registration.

Which Model 3 has the longest range?

The Model 3 Premium Rear-Wheel Drive, at 363 miles EPA-estimated. It is currently the longest-range vehicle Tesla sells. The Standard trim is rated at 321 miles, Premium AWD at 346 and Performance at 309.

Does the Model 3 still qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit?

No. The federal clean-vehicle credit ended for vehicles delivered after September 30, 2025. Some states and utilities still offer rebates; the total cost of ownership calculator includes the larger state programs.

Does the Model 3 come with Autopilot?

New Model 3s built since January 23, 2026 include Traffic-Aware Cruise Control as standard. Autosteer and the rest of the driver-assistance suite are part of Full Self-Driving (Supervised), offered as a $99 monthly subscription. Ordering through a referral link adds three months of FSD (Supervised) at no charge.

What is the difference between Model 3 Standard and Premium?

Standard drops the 15-speaker audio system, rear touchscreen, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, matrix headlights and HEPA filter, uses a textile-and-vegan-leather seat blend, and carries a 100,000-mile battery warranty instead of 120,000. It keeps the glass roof, heated seats and steering wheel, and the same self-driving hardware.

Order

Ready to order the Model 3?

Order through our referral link and Tesla adds three months of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) to your new Model 3, Model Y, or Cybertruck at no charge.

GetTesla earns Tesla Credits when you order through this link. It costs you nothing extra and the benefit comes from Tesla. How the referral works