Key highlights
- The new Model 3 RWD costs $45,900 before on-road costs and arrives in Australia from October 2026.
- The entry model claims 572km of WLTP range, while some premium cabin features have been removed to reduce the price.
- Tesla has added Powershare vehicle-to-load functionality to all MY27 Model 3 variants, although an optional adapter is required.
Tesla has introduced a new entry-level Model 3 RWD in Australia, cutting the starting price of its electric sedan by $9000. Priced at $45,900 before on-road costs, the 2027 Tesla Model 3 RWD is now the cheapest electric sedan available in Australia, undercutting the BYD Seal Premium at $52,990 and Kia EV4 Air at $49,990.
The new variant can be configured through Tesla Australia from October 1, 2026, with customer deliveries expected to begin in mid-to-late October. It joins a four-variant Model 3 range, with the Premium RWD priced from $54,900, the Premium Long Range RWD from $61,900 and the Performance AWD from $80,900.
Read more: Next-gen 2027 BMW 3 Series price and specs revealed
What has Tesla removed?
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The lower price comes with some equipment changes compared with the Model 3 Premium. The entry-level RWD loses ventilated front seats and the 8.0-inch rear touchscreen, which previously allowed rear passengers to control functions such as climate and media. The cabin also gets textile seat inserts rather than being fully trimmed in leatherette.
Ambient lighting is limited to the footwells, while the audio system uses seven speakers instead of nine. There is still plenty of standard equipment, however. The Model 3 RWD gets a panoramic glass roof, powered boot lid, Matrix LED headlights, heated and power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel and wireless phone charging. A 16-inch central touchscreen remains standard, along with features including embedded media apps, Grok AI and Pet Mode.
More range from the entry-level Tesla Model 3
Despite being cheaper, the new Model 3 RWD uses the same battery as the outgoing Premium RWD and claims 572km of WLTP range. That is a 52km increase over the previous entry point to the range. Tesla quotes a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds.
The new RWD is available only with 18-inch Prismata alloy wheels. Pearl White is standard, while Diamond Black costs an additional $1500 and Stealth Grey adds $1900. Tesla also offers Full Self-Driving (Supervised) as a $149-per-month subscription. The Performance variant has received a smaller update, with its claimed WLTP range increasing by 29km to 600km.
Vehicle-to-load joins the Tesla Model 3
One of the more significant changes for Australian buyers is the introduction of Tesla Powershare across the MY27 Model 3 range. The system provides vehicle-to-load functionality, allowing the car’s battery to supply power to external electrical devices. That could be useful for activities such as camping or running small appliances away from a conventional power outlet.
However, owners will need to purchase Tesla’s optional Outlet Adapter separately. Tesla also says Powershare is supported only on MY27 Model 3 vehicles, meaning older Australian Model 3s cannot be retrofitted with the functionality. All Tesla Model 3 variants continue with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Tesla specifies a minimum 70 per cent battery capacity retention over the battery warranty period.
More changes across the Tesla Model 3 range
The Premium and Performance variants also receive a 16-inch first-row touchscreen, dark headliner and new Zen Grey interior option for MY27. The Premium RWD can additionally be specified with new 19-inch Dark Nova alloy wheels. The changes come as Tesla updates its Australian range for the 2027 model year, with the Model Y also receiving upgrades including new paint colours and quicker acceleration times.
The latest Model 3 update gives Australian buyers a significantly lower entry point into Tesla ownership, while retaining a claimed 572km driving range. For buyers considering an electric sedan below $50,000 before on-road costs, the new pricing puts the Model 3 into a different part of the Australian market.
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