Tesla Model 3
Tesla’s $35k Model 3 is here: 220-mile range, new interior options
The $35,000 Model 3 is here. Interested buyers can now order the $35,000 Model 3 with a standard interior and a 220-mile battery. The company is also rolling out a new “partial premium interior” with upgraded seat material and trim, as well as an upgraded audio system, for an additional $2,000.
The Standard Range Model 3 was unveiled after Tesla temporarily paused its ordering page for its electric cars. In the hour leading up to the $35,000 Model 3’s release, visitors to Tesla’s site were redirected to www.tesla.com/soon and a page that simply reads, “The wait is almost over. Great things are launching at 2pm.” Once the order page was accessible, it became evident that Tesla was now offering two new variants of the electric car. The Long Range RWD version, the first configuration of the vehicle that was rolled out to consumers, also made a comeback.
As could be seen in the vehicle’s online configurator page, the Standard Model 3 is capable of traveling 220 miles on a single charge. In true Tesla fashion, the Standard Model 3 is no slouch, as it is capable of going from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds or comparable to a BMW 3 Series. The vehicle also has a top speed of 130 mph.
Tesla has also released the Model 3 Standard Range Plus, which is capable of going 240 miles per charge. The Standard Range Plus is faster than the $35,000 variant too, with its 0-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds and its 140 mph top speed. In a blog post announcing the release of the Model 3’s new variants, Tesla notes that with the Standard Range Plus, customers “get 9% more range, more power, and an upgraded interior.” Buyers looking for maximum range capabilities will be able to purchase a Long Range Model 3 which will receive a range boost through a number of over-the-air firmware updates.
Tesla has released details of the Model 3’s Standard Interior and its new Partial Premium Interior.
Standard Interior Includes:
- Manual seat and steering adjustment
- Cloth seats and base trim
- Basic audio
- Standard maps and navigation
- Center console with storage and 4 USB ports
Partial Premium Interior Includes:
- 12-way power adjustable heated front seats
- Premium seat material and trim
- Upgraded audio – immersive sound
- Standard maps & navigation
- LED fog lamps
- Center console with storage, 4 USB ports and docking for 2 smartphones
Premium Interior Includes:
- 12-way power adjustable front and rear heated seats
- Premium audio – 14 speakers, 1 subwoofer, 2 amps, and immersive sound
- Satellite-view maps with live traffic visualization and navigation
- In-car internet streaming music & media
- Internet browser
- Location-aware automatic garage door opener
- LED fog lamps
- Center console with storage, 4 USB ports and docking for 2 smartphones (edited)
Together with the Standard and Standard Plus variants, Tesla has also updated its vehicles’ Autopilot package. As of today, Tesla will be offering basic Autopilot, which has Autosteer and Traffic Aware Cruise Control, as a $3,000 add-on ($4,000 when purchased after delivery). Some features of Enhanced Autopilot, such as Navigate on Autopilot, Autopark, and Summon, are now included Tesla’s Full Self Driving Capability add-on, which costs $5,000 ($7,000 if purchased after delivery).
Echoing Elon Musk’s hints at his recent appearance at ARK Invest’s For Your Innovation podcast, Tesla has noted in its FSD add-on page that other features, such as the ability to recognize and respond to traffic lights and stop signs and automatic driving on city streets, will be coming later this year.
Perhaps the most impressive surprise from Tesla’s recent announcement is that customers who order the $35,000 Standard Model 3 are expected to take delivery of their vehicles in two to four weeks. Those who purchase the Standard Plus Model 3 can get their electric cars within two weeks. Other variants of the Model 3, such as the Mid Range RWD, Long Range RWD (325 miles), Long Range Dual Motor, and Performance are all listed with an estimated delivery date within two weeks.
Tesla has rolled out a new Supercharging safety feature in the United States, one that will answer concerns that some owners may have if they need to leave in a pinch.
It is also a suitable alternative for non-Tesla chargers, like third-party options that feature J1772 or CCS to NACS adapters.
The feature has been available in Europe for some time, but it is now rolling out to Model 3 and Model Y owners in the U.S.
With Software Update 2026.2.3, Tesla is launching the Unlatching Charge Cable function, which will now utilize the left rear door handle to release the charging cable from the port. The release notes state:
“Charging can now be stopped and the charge cable released by pulling and holding the rear left door handle for three seconds, provided the vehicle is unlocked, and a recognized key is nearby. This is especially useful when the charge cable doesn’t have an unlatch button. You can still release the cable using the vehicle touchscreen or the Tesla app.”
The feature was first spotted by Not a Tesla App.
This is an especially nice feature for those who commonly charge at third-party locations that utilize plugs that are not NACS, which is the Tesla standard.
For example, after plugging into a J1772 charger, you will still be required to unlock the port through the touchscreen, which is a minor inconvenience, but an inconvenience nonetheless.
Additionally, it could be viewed as a safety feature, especially if you’re in need of unlocking the charger from your car in a pinch. Simply holding open the handle on the rear driver’s door will now unhatch the port from the car, allowing you to pull it out and place it back in its housing.
This feature is currently only available on the Model 3 and Model Y, so Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck owners will have to wait for a different solution to this particular feature.
Tesla has revealed an awesome Model 3 and Model Y incentive to help consumers make the jump to one of its affordable mass-market vehicles, but it’s ending soon.
Tesla is offering one free upgrade on eligible inventory of the Model 3 and Model Y until February 2.
This would help buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost, meaning white interior or a more premium paint option will be free of charge if you take delivery on or before February 2.
Tesla states on its website for the offer:
“Only for limited inventory while supplies last. Price displayed on inventory listings already deducts the cost of the free option.”
Tesla says its one free upgrade offer on eligible U.S. inventory for the Model 3 and Model Y ends February 2.
With this incentive, buyers receive the most expensive paid option on the vehicle at no additional cost (up to $2k in savings). pic.twitter.com/IhoiURrsDI
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) January 21, 2026
This latest incentive is just another advantage Tesla has by selling its vehicles directly and not using some sort of dealership model that relies on approvals from higher-ups. It is important to note that these programs are offered to help stimulate demand and push vehicles into customers’ hands.
It is not the only incentive Tesla is currently offering, either. In fact, there is a much larger incentive program that Tesla is working on, and it has to do with Full Self-Driving transfers, which could result in even more sales for the company through Q1.
Tesla is ending its FSD Transfer program on March 31, as it plans to transition to a Subscription-only basis with the self-driving suite for anyone who has not already purchased it outright.
This could help drive some on-the-fence buyers to new vehicles, but it remains to be seen. Given the timing of the program’s demise, it appears Tesla is hoping to use it to add additional sales and bolster a strong Q1 2026.
Interior and exterior paint colors can add up to $2,000 if you choose the most premium Ultra Red body color, or an additional $1,000 for the Black and White interior option. The discount, while small, could help get someone their preferred design configuration, instead of settling for something that is not quite what they want.
Tesla is dominating in the United Kingdom so far through 2025, and with about two weeks left in the year, the Model Y and Model 3 are leading the way.
The Model Y and Model 3 are the two best-selling electric vehicles in the United Kingdom, which is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and it’s not particularly close.
According to data gathered by EU-EVs, the Model Y is sitting at 18,890 units for the year, while the Model 3 is slightly behind with 16,361 sales for the year so far.
The next best-selling EV is the Audi Q4 e-tron at 10,287 units, lagging significantly behind but ahead of other models like the BMW i4 and the Audi Q6 e-tron.
GOOD NEWS 🇬🇧 Tesla is absolutely crushing the UK electric vehicle market in 2025 💥
The numbers are in, and the dominance is clear. With an impressive amount of 42,270 vehicles delivered year-to-date, the brand now commands a solid 9.6% market share of the total auto market 🆒… pic.twitter.com/dkiGX9kzd0
— Ming (@tslaming) December 18, 2025
The Model Y has tasted significant success in the global market, but it has dominated in large markets like Europe and the United States.
For years, it’s been a car that has fit the bill of exactly what consumers need: a perfect combination of luxury, space, and sustainability.
Both vehicles are going to see decreases in sales compared to 2024; the Model Y was the best-selling car last year, but it sold 32,610 units in the UK. Meanwhile, the Model 3 had reached 17,272 units, which will keep it right on par with last year.
Tesla sold 50,090 units in the market last year, and it’s about 8,000 units shy of last year’s pace. It also had a stronger market share last year with 13.2 percent of the sales in the market. With two weeks left in 2025, Tesla has a 9.6 percent market share, leading Volkswagen with 8 percent.
The company likely felt some impact from CEO Elon Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration and, more specifically, his role with DOGE. However, it is worth mentioning that some months saw stronger consumer demand than others. For example, sales were up over 20 percent in February. A 14 percent increase followed this in June.
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