Tesla Malaysia has introduced a new variant of the Model 3 in Malaysia, the Model 3 Standard Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD). This new entry-level model is priced from RM149,580 on-the-road before insurance and options, making it the cheapest Tesla vehicle currently available in the Malaysian market. Compared to the (now renamed) Premium RWD variant, which starts from RM170,980, the Standard variant is RM21,400 cheaper in its base configuration.
In classic Tesla fashion, no specific powertrain outputs were disclosed. However, Tesla states that the new Model 3 Standard RWD has a range of 534 km (WLTP) and achieves 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. For comparison, the Premium RWD has a slightly shorter range of 520 km (WLTP) and a marginally quicker 6.1-second sprint time.
The Standard Model 3 is limited to three exterior paint colours. Stealth Grey is offered as standard, while Pearl White Multi-Coat and Diamond Black can be optioned for an additional RM5,000. By contrast, the rest of the Model 3 lineup has access to six colours, including Marine Blue for RM5,000, and Quicksilver or Ultra Red for RM10,000.
A single wheel option is available for the Model 3 Standard in the form of 18-inch Prismata Wheels. These feature a different design from the Photon Wheels of the same size, and the new entry-level variant also misses out on the larger 19-inch Nova Wheels entirely. Mechanically, the Standard model is equipped with passive shock absorbers instead of the frequency-dependent units found in the Premium variant.
Additionally, while the side mirrors remain power-adjustable, the auto-dimming feature has been dropped. Owners can, however, add a projection light as an accessory for RM130. The rest of the exterior equipment remains the same, featuring automatic LED headlights with adaptive high-beams, a hands-free powered tailgate, and the panoramic sunroof.
Inside, the Tesla Model 3 Standard’s cabin is only available in Black, and features a vegan leather and textile combination upholstery, rather than the perforated vegan leather upholstery found in higher variants. There is no option for the Black and White interior combination here. While the familiar 15.4-inch central touchscreen remains, the 8-inch rear passenger display has been removed. This change means the second-row air vents must now be manually adjusted.
Key omissions in the Standard Model 3 interior also include the ventilated seats (only heating here) and the adjustment switches for the front seats – seating adjustments must now be done through the screen, although there’s still a memory function to make life a little easier. The power-adjustable steering wheel is also replaced by a manually adjustable unit. Furthermore, the customisable wrap-around ambient lighting and door-pocket lighting have been removed, and the audio system has been scaled back to a seven-speaker setup.
Nevertheless, the cabin still retains its premium textile and aluminium details on the dashboard. Drivers also benefit from a heated steering wheel, a heated windshield, custom driver profiles, and the automatic easy-entry system. All windows continue to offer ultraviolet and infrared protection, and the cabin remains equipped with a particulate and odour filter, as well as touchscreen-adjusted air vents for front seat occupants.
Safety systems on the Standard Model 3 include eight exterior cameras that function as a dashcam and enable Sentry Mode. Basic Autopilot is included as standard, which supports autosteer and traffic-aware cruise control. This can be upgraded to Enhanced Autopilot for RM16,000, which adds driver-initiated and assisted driving from highway on-ramp to off-ramp, lane changes, overtaking, and Autopark.
It also includes the “Dumb Summon” feature, which allows for simple forward and reverse movements via the app, and is expected to be upgraded to “Actually Smart Summon” in a future update. Full Self-Driving (FSD) is also available for RM32,000, adding traffic light and stop sign control, though the full suite of autonomous driving features are not available in Malaysia at the moment.
The new Tesla Model 3 Standard is available to order now via the Tesla Malaysia website with an estimated delivery time of one to three months. While the base price starts at RM149,580, a fully specified Model 3 Standard with all options and FSD selected reaches RM186,580.
Included in the price is a four-year or 80,000 km basic vehicle warranty and a supplemental restraint system warranty of five years or 100,000 km. The battery and drive unit are covered by an eight-year or 160,000 km warranty, which guarantees a minimum of 70% battery capacity retention over the duration of the period.
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