More affordable 2026 Tesla Model Y Standard and cheaper Model 3 revealed. Not coming to Australia any time soon.

October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 John Mahoney 14216 Views model 3, model y, Standard, Tesla

Tesla has revealed the long-awaited entry-level Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y.

Known as the Standard trim it is initially being offered in both North America and Europe as a Model Y and in the USA as a Model 3 as well.

Timed to arrive following the end of the US$7500 EV tax credit, the new Tesla Model 3 Standard has been priced at US$36,990 ($A56,300) before on-road costs – representing a saving over the $42,490 ($A64,500) charged for the Model 3 Premium.

The Model Y Standard lands with a price tag of US$39,990 ($A60,300), less than the Premium RWD that is priced from US$44,990 ($A68,500).

In Australia, the current entry Model 3 RWD starts at $54,900 plus on-road costs, while the Model Y range kicks off at $58,900 (plus ORCs), suggesting the small sedan in Standard trim could be priced from $48,000, while the Model Y Standard could be priced around $52,000.

But there is no suggestion at this time when or if the Standard will come to Australia.

Choose the cheapest Standard Tesla and it sits on small 18-inch alloy wheels, with 19s costing extra, while there’s just two exterior paint options – grey/white or white and black, with the latter a paid-for option.

Externally, there’s a new bumper and both the front and rear light bars have been removed.

Inside, the faux leather has been swapped out for half-leather seats, the rear touchscreen has been deleted and the speaker-count cut. There’s now no power adjustable steering column, and the indicator stalk has been reintroduced.

There’s also manual adjust door mirrors, while in the Model Y the panoramic roof carries over with non-transparent glass and an internal headliner.

Curiously, the Standard Model 3 retains its see-through pano roof.

Beneath the skin, the most affordable Tesla Model 3 and Model Y come with a 69.5kWh battery that offers a range of around 516km, down from the Premium RWD’s 584km.

Despite no mention of any hardware changes, the new Model 3 Standard is slower than the Model 3 Premium RWD, taking 5.8 seconds to launch from 0-97km/h (+0.9 seconds).

Finally, DC fast-charging speeds have dropped from 250kW to 225kW.

In Europe, the German-built Model Y retains lane centring from Autopilot, FM radio and power folding mirrors.

There’s no Model 3 Standard in Europe for the moment because that model is not built at the Berlin Gigafactory, whereas both Y and 3 are built in the USA.

The announcement of the new base Model Y Standard trim follows the Juniper facelift (2023) and the recent announcement of the long-wheelbase six-seat Model L.