Tesla's most affordable electric car line-up now includes its longest-range model, as other variants in the line-up gain more range, extra cameras, and the revival of the indicator stalk after backlash.
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The 2026 Tesla Model 3 electric car has been updated with a new Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) grade rated to be capable of 750km on a single charge, more than any other EV currently available in Australia.
It arrives in showrooms alongside the return of the indicator stalk after backlash following its deletion from the Model 3 two years ago, plus a new front bumper camera, and black exterior Tesla badges, on all variants.
The Performance flagship has received a larger battery pack for a driving range rating boost from 528km to 571km – at no additional cost – but the Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) has been axed.
Orders for the updated Model 3 open today, October 3, 2025, with test drives due to commence in late October, ahead of the first deliveries in November.
Prices continue to start at $54,900 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive, rising to $61,900 for the new Long Range RWD, and $80,900 for the Performance AWD, with the Long Range AWD previously listed for $64,900.
The Model 3 Long Range RWD combines a single rear electric motor with the largest battery pack in the line-up, understood to be a new 82kWh (usable, or 84kWh gross) nickel-manganese-cobalt pack also used in the new Performance.
The result is a 750 kilometre driving range rating based on European WLTP testing when optioned with 18-inch wheels, or 691km on the optional 19-inch units.
It is close to 200km more than the next longest-range variant, the Performance, which now quotes 571km from the same battery, a step up from the old version that claimed 528km from a 78kWh (usable, or 82kWh gross) pack.
The defunct Long Range AWD was rated for 629km from the 78kWh battery; an updated version of the same vehicle is poised to quote 660km.
It hands the Model 3 Long Range RWD the title of the country's longest-range electric car, beating the 706km of the Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor, though it is set to be surpassed by the 805km WLTP of the BMW iX3 due next year.
Interestingly, the Long Range RWD is the only Tesla vehicle in Australia with specific WLTP range figures for both available wheel sizes.
All other models in the company's line-up, including the Long Range AWD listed above, were assessed on their largest optional wheels – making the upgrade in range delivered by the new variant seem more significant than it is, at about 30km.
There are no other under-the-skin changes to the Model 3 Performance beyond the new battery, retaining a quoted 343kW power output – believed to be closer to 400kW, according to overseas data – for a zero to 100km/h acceleration claim of 3.1 seconds.
Other changes to the entire line-up for 2026 include the return of the indicator stalk, after it was deleted from the Model 3 with its facelift in late 2023, replaced by buttons on the steering wheel.
Those buttons have now been deleted, and the stalk added to the left side of the steering column. The gear selector remains on the touchscreen.
It is yet to be confirmed if existing customers in Australia will be offered the option of retrofitting the stalk to September 2023-onwards builds, as available in China.
Tesla has also added a front bumper camera for parking maneuvers and advanced safety systems, though there is still no top-down camera feed, rather only a simulation of the car's surroundings.
The 'TESLA' script on the boot lid, and 'T' badge on the bonnet, are also now finished in black rather than silver.
2026 Tesla Model 3 price in Australia
Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
