- The rear-wheel drive Tesla Model 3 Long Range has made a comeback
- Priced at $42,490, the Model 3 Long Range is $5,000 cheaper than the AWD model
- Tesla claims the Long Range Model 3 can travel 363 miles, which is 2 miles more than the Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE
Tesla has introduced a rear-wheel drive Long Range version of the updated Model 3 that comes in at a price point $5,000 lower than the all-wheel drive Long Range model.
As per a report by Reuters, the new Tesla Model 3 Long Range rear-wheel drive was recently added to the automaker’s online configurator with a starting price of $42,490 before additional charges. Tesla advertises a range of 363 miles for this model, in contrast to the 341 miles offered by the $47,490 Model 3 Long Range all-wheel drive, or the 358 miles provided by the previous Model 3 Long Range.
This latest rear-wheel drive Long Range variant now boasts the highest range among all current Model 3 models, making it the Model 3 with the longest range so far.
Tesla Model 3 (Europe-market refresh)
Furthermore, it surpasses its main competitor in the U.S. market, the Hyundai Ioniq 6, in both price and range. The 2024 Ioniq 6 SE is priced at $43,600 and boasts an EPA-rated range of 361 miles—although Tesla’s range rating methodology may mean that the Ioniq 6 still outperforms it in real-world driving range.
Equipped with a single-motor powertrain, the rear-wheel drive Model 3 Long Range is estimated by Tesla to achieve 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds—approximately one second quicker than the Ioniq 5 SE—along with a top speed of 125 mph.
Tesla launched the updated Model 3, internally referred to as “Highland,” in the U.S. in January. The refresh brought about redesigned exterior aesthetics, a quieter interior, and added convenience features such as cooled front seats, dual wireless device charging, and an 8.0-inch rear screen for passengers. Tesla also eliminated most physical controls, prompting drivers to rely more on the 15.4-inch touchscreen.
Tesla Model 3 (Europe-market refresh)
In the U.S., the Model 3 Highland initially debuted in base rear-wheel drive form (starting at $38,990 before additional fees) along with the all-wheel drive Long Range setup. The Model 3 Performance was reintroduced in April, featuring adaptive suspension, a 2.9-second 0-60 mph time, and a base price of $52,990 (subsequently increased to $54,990). Therefore, the rear-wheel drive Model 3 Long Range adds to the lineup of Highland variants, bringing the total to four.
The Tesla Model Y has yet to receive the Highland—or Juniper—updates, but price reductions in April made this crossover more affordable than the Model 3 by up to $5,000, when factoring in the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.