The base Tesla Model 3 ‘Standard’ priced under USD 40,000 has returned, but this time around, it’s a stripped-down configuration missing out on quite a lot of equipment. In the interest of lowering the price, here are 20 features Tesla has omitted in the Model 3 Standard, which is priced at a tempting USD 36,990.
1. Larger battery
The Tesla Model 3 Standard settles for a 69.5 kWh battery pack instead of the Premium trim’s 75.0 kWh unit. This results in a 42-mile drop in the EPA-est. range, down from 363 to 321 miles.
2. Faster charging
While the Premium trim’s 75.0 kWh battery supports charging at up to 250 kW and adds up to 195 miles in 15 minutes, the Standard trim’s 69.6 kWh unit has a peak charging input of 225 kW and adds up to 170 miles in the same duration.
3. Powerful motor
The Model 3 Standard has a slightly downgraded powertrain and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. This makes the Standard trim 0.9-1.6 seconds slower than the Premium trim.
4. All-wheel drive capability
A dual-motor AWD setup is available in the Premium trim and the default configuration in the Performance trim. Tesla offers the Model 3 Standard only in a single-motor RWD variant, which means it cannot provide enhanced traction and stability on slippery surfaces such as snow or wet roads.
5. Advanced suspension
The Model 3 features frequency-dependent shock absorbers in the Premium trim and electronic continuously variable shock absorbers in the Performance trim. The Standard trim has basic passive shock absorbers, though, which means it can’t match the ride comfort or handling of the higher trims.
6. HEPA filter
A HEPA filter, which keeps the cabin clear of outside odors, pollen, fine dust, and other microparticles, is not included in the base trim of the Tesla Model 3.
7. Autosteer
Missing out on Autosteer, the Standard trim isn’t as safe as the Premium and Performance trims. This feature detects lane markings, road edges, and nearby vehicles and objects, and automatically keeps the Tesla Model 3 centered in the lane.
8. Premium wheel designs
Tesla does not offer the 18-inch Photon wheels of the Premium trim or the 20-inch Warp wheels (pictured above) of the Performance trim in the Standard trim. New 18-inch ‘Prismata’ wheels are standard, and for an additional USD 1,500, customers can upgrade to 19-inch Nova wheels, just like in the Premium trim.
9. Power-folding & auto-dimming mirrors
The side mirrors of the Model 3’s base trim need to be manually folded and don’t offer an auto-dimming feature that reduces glare. In the higher trims, Tesla includes power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors as standard.
10. Power-adjustable mirrors
The Model 3 Standard’s side mirrors don’t come with power adjustment either, a function that Tesla does include in the Premium and Performance trims.
11. Customizable wraparound ambient lighting
The new Standard trim of the Tesla Model 3 does not come with the slim ambient lights in the dashboard or the top of the door panels seen in the Premium and Performance trims. In the latter, this feature highlights how the dashboard softly merges with the front door panels and continues the same look in the rear doors, lifting up the interior at night.
12. Power-adjustable steering wheel
The Tesla Model 3’s steering wheel does not offer the convenience of power adjustment. The driver needs to manually adjust it to their optimal position.
13. Ventilated front seats
The front seats of the Tesla Model 3’s Standard trim do offer heating but lack ventilation, meaning journeys on a hot summer day may not be as comfortable as in the other two trims that include the additional function.
14. Heated rear seats
The Standard trim’s rear seats lack heating, which means passengers in the back won’t enjoy the same comfort during winter months as the driver and front passenger. Tesla does offer heated rear seats in the Premium and Performance trims.
15. 8-inch rear touchscreen
Rear passengers in the Standard trim do not get the dedicated 8-inch touchscreen with entertainment options like gaming, video streaming, and music playback. Tesla includes this feature as standard in the other two trims.
16. Touchscreen for second-row air vents
The exclusion of the 8-inch touchscreen in the base Model 3 means rear passengers need to manually control the second-row air vents.
17. FM Radio
The Tesla Model 3 Standard is devoid of the FM radio playback functionality.
18. Premium sound system
The base Tesla Model 3 cannot be equipped with the premium sound system with 15 speakers and two subwoofers available in higher configurations. It settles for a basic seven-speaker sound system.
19. Full vegan leather seat covers
While the Premium and Performance trims come with full vegan leather seat covers, the Standard trim’s seat covers feature a combination of vegan leather and textile inserts.
20. Premium decor
Tesla sticks to textile decor in the Model 3 Standard’s interior, not a mix of microsuede and textile like in higher trims.
Why a Model 3 Standard?
Priced from USD 44,130, the Tesla Model 3 was quite expensive. With federal tax credits of up to USD 7,500 no longer available in the U.S., Tesla had added an incentive to introduce a lower-priced trim.
Talking about the Model Y on the same lines during Tesla’s Q2 2025 earnings conference call, co-founder and CEO Elon Musk said:
Fundamentally, the biggest obstacle remains that so many people..the desire to buy the car (Model Y) is very high, just people don’t have enough money in the bank account to buy it. Literally that’s the issue. Not a lack of desire, but a lack of ability. So the more affordable we can make the car, the better.
Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO, Tesla (Q2 2025 Earnings Conference Call on July 23, 2025)
The new Standard trim also arrives at a time when EV demand is slowing globally. By offering a more accessible entry point, Tesla can broaden the Model 3’s appeal. In April, Lars Moravy, VP of Vehicle Engineering, said the company aims to fully utilize its installed production capacity with the launch of the affordable variants.
Featured image: Tesla
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
