Tesla has given its Model 3 sedan a styling update outside the U.S. The restyled Model 3 appeared in China and Europe over the weekend but not in the United States. We anticipate Tesla will debut the refreshed model for the U.S. market this fall. The company has begun discounting its stockpile of Model 3 cars available for sale in the U.S. as if to make room for a new version.
Not an All-New Model 3
Most automakers redesign their cars completely about every five to seven years. At the halfway point of production, they do what is called a “midcycle refresh” — restyling some bodywork to give it a fresh look and often updating the cabin technology or tweaking the driving experience to keep it competitive with newer rivals.
Tesla’s move is a midcycle refresh. Before the reveal, it bore the code name “Highland” within Tesla, so you may see media reports referring to the Tesla Model 3 Highland. But that’s not a model name you’ll need.
In this case, that means a sleeker front end, new taillights, a few new features for the cabin, and slightly more range for some models.
Simpler, Sharper Lines
The most apparent visual change comes to the front bumper. It loses the oval-shaped flare in the center, lending it a sleeker look. New, narrower headlights add to the effect, leaving the impression of a more aerodynamic car. Separate foglamps have disappeared.
The rear gets new taillights with a pronounced bracket shape. New wheel designs are also available.
A Screen for the Rear
Inside, changes are similarly subtle. The door panels and dashboard now seem more connected, giving the cabin a wraparound feel for those in the front seats. A lighting strip across the dash creates customizable ambient lighting — an inexpensive change many automakers are making to give shoppers more expressive cabins.
The central touchscreen remains 15.4 inches but has smaller bezels, so it looks bigger and features improved contrast. Rear-seat passengers get their own screen. It’s an 8-inch setup, giving them access to climate and entertainment controls.
The gear selector is gone. Drivers now put it in gear through the touchscreen. But there seems to be a failsafe if the screen goes dead. InsideEVs notes that a backup pair of buttons appears between the sun visors on the headliner.
Longer Range
Tesla slightly boosted the range for the Long Range trims — the only ones offered so far. Tesla gave figures based on European testing, which tends to produce more extended numbers than American tests. Electrek says the figures are “an 11% to 12% improvement.”
Assuming EPA testing shows a similar boost, that would mean roughly 300 miles for the Standard Range version and 370 for the Long Range.
Tesla hasn’t explained the boost, so we don’t know whether it comes thanks to a battery improvement, tweaks to the motors, or the improved aerodynamics of the new front and rear body panels.
When Will the U.S. See It?
Tesla has so far shown off the new Model 3 in China and at Germany’s Munich Motor Show, with no word on when it might reach the U.S. The company is the only automaker not to operate a public relations division or answer reporters’ questions, so we have no official timeline on when it will be available here.
InsideEVs, after checking Tesla websites in many countries, reports that availability is mixed worldwide:
- Europe: October
- Middle East: October
- China: Q4 2023
- Australia/New Zealand: January to March 2024
- Malaysia: Late 2023
- Japan: December 2023 to March 2024
- U.K. and Ireland: Not yet available
- Canada: Not yet available
- U.S.: Not yet available
- Singapore: Not yet available
- Korea: Not yet available
Because Tesla builds the Model 3 on several continents, it could bring updated tooling to different factories at different times. That would leave the company building the old and new models simultaneously in different factories.
Discounts on Existing Stock
But, the arrival of a refreshed model often means discounts on the outgoing version. That appears to be the case for Tesla.
The Tesla website still lists the full price for ordering a new Model 3. But the company has a supply of already-built models you can choose from. Those reflect discounts as high as $5,500 this morning. That may well be a sign that Tesla wants to clear out existing inventory to make room for the new model.
The discount creates a huge buying opportunity for those in the market for a relatively inexpensive E.V. Most Model 3 cars qualify for the full $7,500 federal E.V. tax credit. Some state programs can drive down the cost further, with residents of some California counties paying under $20,000. A new Colorado program offers residents up to $6,000 when they buy an E.V. to replace a car at least 12 years old.
