

Tesla Model 3
Tesla owner shares $35k Model 3 Standard Range complete buying guide
If you are wondering if a $35,000 Model 3 exists or if you are asking how to order a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, then your prayers have been answered. A recent customer who bought Tesla’s cheapest Model 3 has created a quick buying guide for everyone.
YouTuber Car Confections, who bought Tesla’s most affordable car, shared their buying experience, proving to critics that the $35,000 Model 3 does indeed exist. The base price includes white paint, black interior, and Aero Wheels before the destination fee. This does not include the potential savings but it is the price that a buyer would pay when one takes delivery of the vehicle.
It could be confusing for those who want to buy a Standard Range version of Tesla’s mass-produced electric sedan because that variant of the Model 3 does not show up on the carmaker’s website. When one goes to the Tesla Model 3 Design Studio, one will only see Rear-Wheel Drive Standard Range Plus ($39,990), Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive Long Range ($48,990), and Performance ($56,990).
“I called Tesla on the phone… I was like ‘hey you know what’s up with this $35,000 Tesla. What they told me was that it’s not on the website, it’s a special order,” YouTuber Car Confections said.
Car Confections actually called Tesla to inquire about the Model 3 Standard Range and learned how to properly order the cheapest Model 3 without ending up with a Standard Range Plus.
STEP 1 – Order a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus
Go to the Tesla Model 3 page and configure your Model 3 Standard Range plus to how you want it to be. You will end up with the price of the SR Plus but don’t panic, just go through the whole process and pay the Order Fee of $100.
Remember, do not include the Full Self-Driving Capability option as this feature adds $7,000 to the price tag. The Pearl White paint is already included in the base price but you have to pay an extra $1,000 if you will go with a Solid Black, Midnight Silver Metallic, or a Deep Blue Metallic. A Red Multi-Coat will cost an extra $2,000. For the interior, All Black interior will not cost you a penny but a Black and White interior will set you back another $1,000.
STEP 2 – STOP!
Once you’ve placed your deposit STOP and DO NOT DO ANYTHING. While you can provide information and fill out some paperwork, make sure you DO NOT finalize the Motor Vehicle Agreement.
There will be emails from Tesla that will walk you through the remaining process and the system will confirm your order for a Model 3 Standard Range Plus and prompt you to agree to a $41,000 price. Once you reach this stage, proceed to Step 3.
STEP 3 – Call Tesla to flag your Model 3 order
Reach out to a Tesla Store or showroom, provide the Tesla employee your VIN#, and request them to flag your Model 3 order to be a Standard Range model.
Take Note – This process will take several days to complete. DO NOT agree to the final paperwork until you see the price changed to $35,000.
STEP 4 – Review the final paperwork
Just like before any big purchase, review the paperwork and make sure all the details are correct.
STEP 5 – Wait for your Model 3 Standard Range and enjoy Tesla’s best-kept secret.
Just for some context, the Standard Range Model 3 is basically the same as its Standard Range Plus sibling. The primary difference is that its range is limited to 220 miles compared to the 250 miles of the more expensive variant.
The top speed of the Standard Range Model 3 is also limited to 129.9 mph while the Standard Range Plus can go as fast as 139.8 mph. The former is also a blink slower in terms of 0-60 mph sprint at 5.9 seconds while the latter accelerates from zero to 60 mph from a full stop in 5.3 seconds.
Check out Car Confections’ video below on how to buy a Model 3 Standard Range for $35,000:
News
Tesla Model 3 ranks as the safest new car in Europe for 2025, per Euro NCAP tests
Despite being on the market longer than many of its rivals, the Tesla Model 3 continues to set the bar for vehicle safety.

The Tesla Model 3 has been named the safest new car on sale in 2025, according to the latest results from the Euro NCAP. Among 20 newly tested vehicles, the Model 3 emerged at the top of the list, scoring an impressive 359 out of 400 possible points across all major safety categories.
Tesla Model 3’s safety systems
Despite being on the market longer than many of its rivals, the Tesla Model 3 continues to set the bar for vehicle safety. Under Euro NCAP’s stricter 2025 testing protocols, the electric sedan earned 90% for adult occupant protection, 93% for child occupant protection, 89% for pedestrian protection, and 87% for its Safety Assist systems.
The updated Model 3 received particular praise for its advanced driver assistance features, including Tesla’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, which performed well across various test scenarios. Its Intelligent Speed Assistance and child presence detection system were cited as noteworthy features as well, as per a WhatCar report.
Other notable safety features include the Model 3’s pedestrian-friendly pop-up hood and robust crash protection for both front and side collisions. Euro NCAP also highlighted the Model 3’s ability to detect vulnerable road users during complex maneuvers, such as turning across oncoming traffic.
Euro NCAP’s Autopilot caution
While the Model 3’s safety scores were impressive across the board, Euro NCAP did raise concerns about driver expectations of Tesla’s Autopilot system. The organization warned that some owners may overestimate the system’s capabilities, potentially leading to misuse or inattention behind the wheel. Even so, the Model 3 remained the highest-scoring vehicle tested under Euro NCAP’s updated criteria this year.
The Euro NCAP’s concerns are also quite interesting because Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised, which is arguably the company’s most robust safety suite, is not allowed for public rollout in Europe yet. FSD Supervised would allow the Model 3 to navigate inner city streets with only minimal human supervision.
Other top scorers included the Volkswagen ID.7, Polestar 3, and Geely EX5, but none matched the Model 3’s total score or consistency across categories. A total of 14 out of 20 newly tested cars earned five stars, while several models, including the Kia EV3, MG ZS, and Renault 5, fell short of the top rating.
News
Tesla upgrades Model 3 and Model Y in China, hikes price for long-range sedan
Tesla’s long-range Model 3 now comes with a higher CLTC-rated range of 753 km (468 miles).

Tesla has rolled out a series of quiet upgrades to its Model 3 and Model Y in China, enhancing range and performance for long-range variants. The updates come with a price hike for the Model 3 Long Range All-Wheel Drive, which now costs RMB 285,500 (about $39,300), up RMB 10,000 ($1,400) from the previous price.
Model 3 gets acceleration boost, extended range
Tesla’s long-range Model 3 now comes with a higher CLTC-rated range of 753 km (468 miles), up from 713 km (443 miles), and a faster 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds, down from 4.4 seconds. These changes suggest that Tesla has bundled the previously optional Acceleration Boost for the Model 3, once priced at RMB 14,100 ($1,968), as a standard feature.
Delivery wait times for the long-range Model 3 have also been shortened, from 3–5 weeks to just 1–3 weeks, as per CNEV Post. No changes were made to the entry-level RWD or Performance versions, which retain their RMB 235,500 and RMB 339,500 price points, respectively. Wait times for those trims also remain at 1–3 weeks and 8–10 weeks.
Model Y range increases, pricing holds steady
The Model Y Long Range has also seen its CLTC-rated range increase from 719 km (447 miles) to 750 km (466 miles), though its price remains unchanged at RMB 313,500 ($43,759). The model maintains a 0–100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds.
Tesla also updated delivery times for the Model Y lineup. The Long Range variant now shows a wait time of 1–3 weeks, an improvement from the previous 3–5 weeks. The entry-level RWD version maintained its starting price of RMB 263,500, though its delivery window is now shorter at 2–4 weeks.
Tesla continues to offer several purchase incentives in China, including an RMB 8,000 discount for select paint options, an RMB 8,000 insurance subsidy, and five years of interest-free financing for eligible variants.
News
Tesla trails Volkswagen in Q1 EV sales, Model Y still on top

Volkswagen surpassed Tesla in Q1 2025 electric vehicle (EV) sales in Europe.
The German automaker sold 65,679 battery EVs compared to Tesla’s 53,237 in the first three months of the year, per JATO Dynamics data. Volkswagen’s registrations soared 157% year-over-year (yoy), while Tesla saw a 38% decline in the same period, the steepest among the top 30 brands. The German automaker’s strong performance highlights a growing competitive landscape in the EV market.
Despite losing the overall lead, Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 remain the top two in Europe’s battery EV registrations. Volkswagen’s ID.4 ranked third in EU registrations, trailing the Model 3 by 2,000 units.
Model Y registrations dropped 43% in March, but the Model 3 increased 1% in the first quarter. The decline in Model Y registrations could be linked to Tesla’s upgraded Model Y, which debuted at the beginning of the year. In the first quarter, Tesla retooled and upgraded its factories worldwide to produce the new Model Y.
“As the brand continues to deal with a host of PR issues in addition to the changeover of the Model Y, Tesla is now relying on the Model 3 to offset its losses. Despite the controversy surrounding the brand’s CEO and the limited availability of the new Model Y, Tesla continues to perform well,” said Felipe Munoz, a global analyst at JATO Dynamics.
Tesla addressed its Q1 challenges during its recent earnings calls, with CEO Elon Musk attributing the dip to seasonal and strategic factors.
“Now, Q1, [the] first quarters of a year, are usually pretty tricky. Because it’s usually the worst quarter of the year because people don’t want to go buy a car in the middle of winter during the blizzard. So we picked Q1 as a good quarter to do a cutover to the new version of the Model Y and we changed the production of the world’s best-selling cars with — remember, the Model Y is the best-selling car of any kind on earth with a 1.1 billion unit per year output of a single model,” Musk stated.
Volkswagen’s surge reflects its continued focus on and dedication to EVs. While Tesla’s Model Y remains the global best-seller, Volkswagen’s momentum signals intensifying competition. As both companies navigate market dynamics, Tesla’s focus on its Robotaxi network and upcoming launches will be critical to regaining its edge.
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