Now, You Can Buy a Tesla for Less than the Average New Car

If you want to buy a Tesla and you want it to be affordable, a new Model 3 now costs less than the average new gas-powered car.

Tesla recently announced price cuts for the Model 3 and Model Y, which are the two smallest vehicles in the fleet. The starting price of the Model 3 is now low enough to be less than the average new gas-powered car. This signals a slight shift in the market, but it could also be nothing more than a one-off.

How much is the average price of a new car?

Most new cars are much more expensive than vehicles of the past. Forget trying to buy a small car for under $15,000, it simply won’t happen. Right now, the average new car price is $49,388, which is a six percent increase compared to a year ago. The starting price of the Tesla Model 3 is now $43,000 which is already $6,388 less than the average new car price. If you qualify for the entire $7,500 federal EV tax credit, the price of this small electric sedan is only $35,500, which makes the Model 3 much more affordable.

Currently, the Model 3 starting price is a one-off

Once Tesla announced its price cuts, Ford followed suit with price cuts on the Mustang Mach-E. These two EVs are now more affordable than ever, but that isn’t something we see with most new electric vehicles. Instead, most EVs cost a lot more than the average gas-powered vehicle. It could be good to buy a Tesla for its affordable price, but a few other EVs that start higher than the average are the Genesis Electrified G80 which costs $79,825, the BMW i4 which starts at $52,000, and the Audi RS e-tron GT which begins at $105,000.

What does the 2023 Tesla Model 3 offer?

The base version of the Model 3 is the standard RWD model. This model starts at $42,990 and gives you a lot to enjoy, especially the pedigree of being a Tesla with some amazing technology. This base version includes:

• Pearl White Multi-Coat paint (four additional colors are optional but cost more)
• Black interior (black and white increases the price)
• LED headlights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated power side mirrors
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Rear, front, and side cameras for a 360-degree view
• Frunk and Trunk for storage
• Keyless entry with phone as a key feature
• Phone app for interior climate settings, schedule maintenance, or locate your car
• Fixed glass roof
• 12-way heated power front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Power tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate controls
• Dual wireless charging pads
• Vegan leather upholstery
• 15.4-inch center touchscreen
• 14-speaker Premium audio system
• Premium Connectivity Package (subscription required)
• Standard Autopilot safety package
  • Forward collision warning
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Lane-departure warning
  • Lane-keeping assist
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Adaptive cruise control

You can add the Enhanced Autopilot option to this car for $6,000 and enjoy the benefits of:

• • Lane change
  • Auto parking
  • Navigating while using adaptive cruise control
  • Smart Summon

  The Full-Self Driving Capability Package increase the price by $15,000 and brings fully- autonomous driving to the Model 3.

  What does the Tesla Model 3 Performance add to the mix?

  When you want to buy an affordable Tesla, you’ll find some amazing features added at the Performance trim level. This model starts at $53,990 and it includes:

  • • • • AWD via dual electric motor system
        • 20-inch wheels
        • Performance brakes
        • Carbon-fiber spoiler
        • Performance pedals
        • Track Mode – adds increased powertrain cooling and regenerative braking

  How far can you drive in a Tesla Model 3?

  The RWD version of this electric car uses one electric motor to offer 272 miles of driving range. If you step up to the Long Range AWD version of the base model, you’ll find the driving range increases to 358 miles on a single charge. The Performance AWD model has a driving range of 315 miles on a charge. Tesla doesn’t quote horsepower or torque figures, but we know this car has plenty of power to get up to highway speeds in a hurry.

  What are some of the favorite features of this Tesla?

  When you want to buy a Tesla that’s affordable and easy to drive, you’ll be pleased to find some cool features in the Model 3. Some of these items are:

  Over-the-air updates

  These updates ensure performance improvements that can increase the driving range, add more data to the navigation system, and improve the safety systems of this electric car. You won’t need to bring your Tesla to a service station for these updates, which is a good thing.

  Sentry Mode

  The Sentry Mode uses the 360-degree camera system to send alerts to a smartphone while this vehicle is parked. This feature allows you to check the car’s surroundings while its parked and warns anyone that shouldn’t be near the car that they need to back away. It even gives you the ability to speak through the car’s speakers.

  The Tesla Model 3 offers a lean interior

  In true Tesla fashion, the styling offered in the Model 3 is minimalistic and futuristic at the same time. You won’t find any switches or knobs in this car for any controls. The massive touchscreen is where you find all of the information you need, which might be a bit odd when looking for your speed and driving range information.

  The Tesla Model 3 has a 19.8 cubic-foot trunk and brings 3.1 cubic feet of space in the frunk for your storage. Although you can’t connect using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can stream Netflix and Hulu in the Model 3.

  This could be the Tesla you want to drive

  If you’re looking for a great way to have an electric vehicle without paying high prices, it might be time to buy a Tesla. A new Tesla Model 3 is relatively affordable and easy to enjoy. This car comes with the futuristic and advanced features you want, along with a tax credit that could benefit you when it’s time to file.