Tesla has stripped features as simple as FM radio and buttons on the seats to lower the price of the Model 3 and Model Y, but they're for the US only, and aren't coming to Australia.
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Tesla has slashed the feature list of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV to develop cheaper 'Standard' versions, currently destined for the US only – and not planned for Australia.
Among the features axed are basic conveniences such as FM radio – forcing drivers to rely on digital radio that can drop out in tunnels – seat control buttons, and, according to the Tesla website, the power-adjustable mirrors on the Model 3.
The equipment deletions have only cut $US5000 to $US5500 ($AU7600 to $AU8350) off prices, now starting at $US36,990 ($AU56,200) for the Model 3, and $US39,990 ($AU60,700) for the Model Y.
They are far from the dream of a truly cheap – and small – Tesla, after plans for a more compact model based on new underpinnings were reportedly scrapped 18 months ago.
The Model Y has undergone a more substantial transformation from regular – now badged Premium – to Standard trim, with simplified exterior styling, a tweaked interior, and a shorter driving range.
It deletes the split-level LED headlights and full-width front light bar in favour of simpler, single-piece lights, plus new LED tail-lights without the centre section, including the reflective effect.
There are new front and rear bumpers, a tweaked body-coloured section on the tailgate, new rear window aperture, and new 18-inch 'Aperture' wheels, with 19-inch 'Crossflow' versions optional.
The Model 3 Standard is closer in appearance to the regular vehicle, with exterior changes limited to a new 18-inch 'Prismata' wheel design, and across the line-up for 2026, black badges.
Inside, both vehicles delete regular grades' 8.0-inch rear touchscreen, power steering column adjustment, wraparound ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and full leather-look upholstery, instead fitting cloth and leather-look trim.
Also ditched is FM radio – with digital radio now the only option – as well as the 15-speaker stereo, now restricted to a seven-speaker unit, and the HEPA filter (now a regular particulate filter).
The front seats can now only be adjusted through the touchscreen, with buttons on the sides of the seat bases deleted – as well as certain axes of adjustment, including height control for the passenger seat.
Unchanged is the 15.4-inch touchscreen with music streaming and navigation, power-adjustable heated front seats, power tailgate, dual wireless phone chargers, and other features.
The Model Y Standard removes the panoramic glass roof in favour of a 'closed' version – with headlining upholstered over glass that's no longer transparent – as well as power-folding rear seats, front and rear acoustic door glass, and auto-folding (but still power-adjustable) mirrors.
It also gains a unique centre console, with a large open space ahead of the cupholders in place of a covered storage compartment.
Meanwhile, the Model 3 keeps features such as the panoramic roof, but deletes items as basic as power adjustment for the mirrors.
If it is introduced to Australia, the Model 3 Standard would join the 41-year-old Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series as one of the few new vehicles left on sale with manually-adjustable side mirrors.
Under the skin, both vehicles delete trick frequency-selective dampers in favour of conventional passive suspension similar in concept to the pre-facelift Model 3 and Model Y.
Both new Standard variants are rear-wheel drive, fitted with smaller battery packs – said to carry a capacity of 69.5kWh in the Model Y, according to US website Motor1, down from about 82kWh in regular long-range versions.
Claimed driving range in the Model Y Standard is now rated at 321 miles (517km) on 18-inch wheels, and 303 miles (488km) on 19s – down from 357 miles (575km) on 19-inch wheels in the long-range Premium RWD.
The Model 3 Standard quotes the same range – 321mi (517km) on 18-inch wheels and 303mi (488km) on 19s – down from 363mi (584km) and 343mi (552km) respectively, all according to US EPA testing that's more stringent than the WLTP test common in Australia.
US reports suggest power is rated at 224kW (300 horsepower) in the Model Y, and 213kW (286hp) in the Model 3, for 0-60mph (97km/h) acceleration claims of 6.8 and 5.8 seconds, respectively.
It compares to 5.4sec and 4.9sec for the long-range Model Y Premium and Model 3 Premium RWDs respectively. DC fast charging has been limited to 225kW, down from 250kW.
Lane-centring assist has been removed, though all other safety aids remain, with the option of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for $US8000 ($AU12,100) on both cars.
A front bumper camera has been added to all new Model 3 and Model Y vehicles sold in the US, irrespective of trim grade.
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Standard are available to order in the US now, in only three paint choices – Stealth Grey, Pearl White and Diamond Black.
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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
