Tesla has announced updated lineups for its 2027 Model 3 sedan and Model Y mid-size SUV in Australia, introducing a new base-model variant designed to enhance accessibility for electric vehicle buyers. The Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive serves as the entry point for Tesla’s Australian offerings, with a starting price of $45,900 plus on-road costs, positioned to undercut competitors such as the Mazda 6e and former BYD Seal models. It’s also cheaper than the Mazda 6e – which starts from $49,990 + ORC – and the now-discontinued cheapest version of the BYD Seal which was priced at $46,990 + ORC before it was axed earlier this year. This variant is $9,000 cheaper than Tesla’s existing Premium Rear-Wheel Drive model.
New Model 3 Entry-Level Variant
The Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive provides a 572km WLTP driving range and accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds, offering a balance of practicality and affordability. Standard equipment includes 18-inch Prismata wheels, matrix LED headlights, a 360-degree camera with sentry mode, a panoramic glass roof, a hands-free boot, and power-folding side mirrors. Interior amenities feature a 16.0-inch infotainment touchscreen compatible with Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Netflix, and YouTube through Tesla Theatre, along with Tesla Arcade, a seven-speaker sound system, textile and vegan leather seats, a heated and electrically adjustable front seat with driver’s seat memory accessible via the phone key profile, wireless phone charging, and ambient lighting in the footwells.
Safety remains a priority, with the model achieving a five-star ANCAP rating. Key safety features include blind spot monitoring, a live, indicator-activated blind-spot view on the infotainment touchscreen, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The vehicle also incorporates Tesla’s pet mode and Grok AI assistant. With a combined frunk and boot capacity of 682 litres (1,659 litres with seats folded), it balances utility and performance. Full Self Driving (Supervised) is available via a $149 monthly subscription. Pearl White is the standard exterior paint option while Diamond Black and Stealth Grey are available for $1500 and $1900 respectively.
Updates to Existing Model 3 Models
The Premium and Performance variants of the Model 3 have received updates. Both now feature the 16.0-inch infotainment screen found in the new base model, along with a dark grey headliner and Zen Grey interior option. The Premium variant gains 19-inch Dark Nova wheels, while the Performance model extends its WLTP range to 600km, an increase of 29km.
Paint options for the base Model 3 include Pearl White as standard, with Diamond Black and Stealth Grey available for additional fees. Deliveries are expected to begin in mid-to-late October.
Model Y Adjustments and New Features
Model Y updates include a reduction in the Performance variant’s price from $89,400 to $84,900, following its production shift to Gigafactory Shanghai. New exterior options include Glacier Blue, while Zen Grey is added as an interior choice. Both the Model Y Premium and L Premium variants have improved acceleration, with 0-100km/h times now at 4.3 and 4.5 seconds respectively.
Both Model 3 and Model Y 2027 models now feature Power Share, enabling charging of devices via the vehicle’s battery and a separately sold adapter. This feature is exclusive to 2027 models and cannot be retrofitted to older versions.
Sales Growth Amidst Updates
The updates come as Tesla reports strong sales growth, with year-to-date deliveries up 84.1% as of September. Model 3 sales increased 6.6% YTD, while Model Y sales surged 108.4% to 35,930 units, according to Electric Vehicle Council data. These figures highlight Tesla’s expanding presence in the Australian electric vehicle market.
