- The latest iteration of the rear-wheel drive Tesla Model 3 Long Range has made a comeback
- Priced at $42,490, the Long Range model is $5,000 more economical than the AWD variant
- Tesla claims a range of 363 miles for the Long Range Model 3, surpassing the Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE by 2 miles
Tesla introduces a Rear-Wheel Drive Long Range version of the revamped Model 3, cutting the price by $5,000 compared to the all-wheel drive model.
As reported by Reuters, the new Tesla Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive is now available on the company’s online configurator with a starting price of $42,490 before additional costs. Tesla boasts a 363-mile range for this variant, compared to 341 miles for the $47,490 Model 3 Long Range all-wheel drive, or 358 miles for the earlier Long Range Model 3.
This places the current Rear-Wheel Drive Long Range at the top in terms of range among all existing Model 3 versions, establishing it as the Model 3 with the longest range to date.
Tesla Model 3 (Europe-market refresh)
Moreover, it is priced lower than its main competitor in the U.S. market, the Hyundai Ioniq 6, in both cost and range. The 2024 Ioniq 6 SE is available for $43,600, offering an EPA-approved range of 361 miles—although Tesla applies a different range calculation method, possibly suggesting that the Ioniq 6 still delivers superior real-world range.
Equipped with a single-motor powertrain, the Rear-Wheel Drive Model 3 Long Range boasts a Tesla-predicted acceleration from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds—approximately a second faster than the Ioniq 5 SE—and a top speed of 125 mph.
Tesla introduced the updated Model 3, referred to as “Highland” internally by the manufacturer, in the U.S. in January. The makeover brought about revised external design, a quieter cabin, and additional user-friendly features such as cooled front seats, dual wireless device charging, and an 8.0-inch rear screen for passengers. Tesla also reduced physical controls significantly, necessitating a heavier reliance on the 15.4-inch touchscreen.
Tesla Model 3 (Europe-market refresh)
In the U.S., the Model 3 Highland initially offered a base variant in Rear-Wheel Drive (with a price tag of $38,990 before additional charges) alongside the all-wheel drive Long Range setup. The Performance variant of the Model 3 returned in April, featuring adaptive suspension, an acceleration time from 0-60 mph of 2.9 seconds, and a starting price of $52,990 (subsequently increased to $54,990). Therefore, the Rear-Wheel Drive Model 3 Long Range model broadens the selection to four Highland versions.
As for the Tesla Model Y, it is yet to receive the Highland—or Juniper—updates; however, price reductions for the crossover in April made it more budget-friendly than the Model 3 by up to $7,500 with the federal EV tax credit factored in.
