Here’s the cheapest Tesla Model 3 you can buy in Malaysia – RM 148k for standard variant

The Tesla Model 3 Standard was launched in Malaysia in January 2026 as the new entry-level variant in the Model 3 lineup. The Tesla Model 3 Standard starts at RM 147,600, which is RM 21,400 lower than the previous most affordable Tesla Model 3, now renamed the Tesla Model 3 Premium. To achieve this significant price reduction, several features in the Tesla Model 3 Standard have been removed or changed.

The Tesla Model 3 Standard comes equipped with a new 18-inch Prismata wheel design, with no option to upgrade to the larger 19-inch Nova wheels. A steel wheel sits beneath the Prismata wheel cover, instead of the alloy wheels found on the Tesla Model 3 Premium. Another change is the reduced range of colour options, with Stealth Grey now being the standard colour. Pearl White and Diamond Black remain available as optional upgrades, each costing an additional RM 5,000. Other exterior changes include the absence of auto-dimming side-view mirrors, although power adjustment and folding functions are still retained. The tyre pressure monitoring system has also been removed; however, the vehicle can still detect uneven tyre pressure through the wheel speed sensors.

Stepping inside is where most of the cost-cutting measures are evident. The number of speakers has been reduced from nine to seven, and the FM radio unit has been removed. Steering wheel adjustment is now manual. The seats are now upholstered in a mix of vegan leather and fabric, have lost their ventilation feature, and no longer include physical switches for front seat adjustment. Instead, seat adjustments are controlled via the centre screen, although a memory function is still available. The cupholders are now fully exposed, as the sliding cover has been removed. Additionally, the centre console has lost its perforated metal finish and now features a flat design.

In the second row, the 8-inch display has been removed, and rear air vents can only be adjusted manually. The rear seat heating function has also been removed, along with all ambient lighting that previously extended across the dashboard and doors. Acoustic glass, which helps reduce external noise, has also been omitted. The panoramic sunroof is retained, as developing a new non-glass roof panel would incur higher costs.

In terms of range, the Tesla Model 3 Standard offers a WLTP range of 534 km, which is higher than the Tesla Model 3 Premium’s 520 km. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, making it 0.1 seconds slower than the Premium variant. The suspension system is now fully passive, unlike the frequency-dependent shock absorbers introduced in the updated Highland Tesla Model 3. As a result, the ride quality of the Tesla Model 3 Standard should not differ significantly from pre-Highland Model 3 variants. It rides on Giti Control P10 EV tyres at all four corners, sized at 245/45 R18.

In summary, the Tesla Model 3 Standard starts at RM 147,600 and comes with a 4-year or 80,000 km (whichever comes first) vehicle warranty, as well as an 8-year or 160,000 km (whichever comes first) battery and drive unit warranty.