Tesla makes owning an electric car in the UK more achievable than ever with the launch of its new Tesla Model 3 Standard With a headline price tag of £37,990, this ‘cheapest model’ follows previous high-performance variants – costing around the same but despite what it says on paper is the most affordable way to get a Tesla sitting on your drive in Britain at present. For those looking at finance, opting for a five-year PCP deal can drop the monthly outlay to about £249, while you would need to put down a deposit of around £9,100 and stick with 10,000 miles each year.
A Leaner, Smarter Approach
The Tesla Model 3 Standard is not simply a pared-back version of its longer-range siblings — it’s an intentionally straightforward electric saloon created with the UK in mind. Tesla has cut costs by pulling back on some features, but still maintains some of the basics that make the brand what it is. The interior trades faux-leather for a mix of cloth and vegan leather, eliminates the touchscreen in back for rear passengers, and ditches surround audio with a seven-speaker setup that doesn’t include a subwoofer. Even the seat adjustments and steering wheel tilt are manual, and there is no AM/FM radio. The 15.4-inch central serving touchscreen, panoramic glass roof and power tailgate are untouched, too. So there’s still plenty of open space, modernity and unmistakably Tesla in here too.
Performance and Efficiency Tweaks
The standard version cuts some indulgences, but it’s still a capable beast. The remaining rear motor can drive the car to 0–60mph in 6.2 seconds, making it slower than its brother models and topping out at just 110mph. These performance tweaks have a practical upshot: the Tesla Model 3 Standard now sits in insurance group 32 – the lowest yet for a Tesla here in the UK – which should salvage some decent savings on premiums.
Battery capacity has yet to be officially announced. Still, Tesla says the WLTP range is 332 miles, which would put it in competitive company with pricier rivals such as Polestar’s 2 and BYD’s Seal, as well as the new BMW i4 – all of whose base prices lie considerably above that of the recently unveiled Tesla Model 3 Standard.
Simplifying Ownership, Enhancing Accessibility
Tesla is aiming to make owning an electric car as cost-effective and accessible as possible with this new launch. And the Standard model includes Tesla’s built-in basic Autopilot system, is hardware-prepped for Full Self-Driving (Supervised), and still comprises key niceties such as adaptive headlights, heated front seats, dual wireless charging pads, and access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. The wheels have been replaced by 18-inch Photon aero-optimised alloys, chosen for the ideal compromise between ride comfort, efficiency and residual values that in turn lower finance and leasing costs.
Arrival and Market Context
UK customers will receive their Model Ys late next February when the Standard model, priced from £41,990, is due to land. Tesla’s approach is the same as it was for the Y: keep the core mechanical package intact and streamline some of these premium features, so people can have access to a Tesla at a significantly lower price without sacrificing on range or technology or general usability in any way.”
In a word, and as the Tesla Model 3 has proven, affordable doesn’t have to be austere. It’s cut away the fat, retained enough of the brand DNA and brought EV ownership within reach for a much broader base in the UK at least. For first-time Tesla shoppers, it’s a rare sweet spot: accessible and practical yet unmistakably Tesla.
For more information about the Tesla Model 3 Standard, please visit their official website.
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Hey, I’m Badal! I’m super passionate about cars—especially electric ones. Whether it’s EVs, electric trucks, bikes, or anything with a battery and wheels, I’m all in. I love writing blogs and articles that break things down for fellow enthusiasts and curious readers alike. Hope you enjoy the ride as much as I do! Enjoyed reading? You can buy me a coffee on PayPal ☕ → paypal.me/BadalBanjare
