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Was the Tesla Model 3 Really at Its Lowest Price Ever? What the 2023 Headline Means

The “lowest price ever” headline dates to BGR’s October 2023 report on the U.S. Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive. Here’s how it compares with Tesla’s current displayed prices and incentive guidance.
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The headline was true to a specific claim made about the U.S. Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive on October 6, 2023—not a promise about today’s price. BGR reported that Tesla had cut the car from $40,240 to $38,990 and described that as the Model 3’s lowest price ever. Tesla’s U.S. page now lists the base Model 3 at $38,630, but that current price does not establish an all-time record.

What did “lowest price ever” mean?

BGR’s October 6, 2023 article was about the U.S. Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive. It reported a $1,250 reduction, from $40,240 to $38,990, and called $38,990 “the lowest price that the Model 3 has been — ever.” That was BGR’s characterization of the price at the time, not an official Tesla statement or an independently verified historical price record. BGR’s October 2023 report provides the original context.

The distinction matters: the headline describes a dated U.S. price for one version of the car. It does not mean the Model 3 is currently being offered at that price, or that the same claim applies across trims, countries, or the car’s entire history.

What does a Model 3 cost now?

Tesla’s U.S. Model 3 page, accessed October 8, 2026, lists the following starting prices and specifications. Tesla says its prices include destination and order fees, exclude taxes and other fees, and are subject to change. These are displayed U.S. configurations, not a historical price comparison. Check Tesla’s current Model 3 page before ordering.

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Displayed U.S. trim Starting price Tesla-listed specification
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Model 3 Performance $56,630 528 hp; 0–60 mph in 2.9 seconds

The current base listing is $360 below the $38,990 price BGR reported in 2023. That comparison alone cannot show whether either figure is the lowest price in the Model 3’s history: the reviewed sources do not provide a complete authoritative price series across all trims and markets. Tesla also announced a U.S. Model 3 Standard launch price of $36,990 in its October 22, 2025 Q3 update, further illustrating why the 2023 headline should not be treated as a current or universal record. Tesla’s Q3 2025 update is the source for that historical launch price.

Does the 2023 $7,500 tax credit still apply?

No—not as a credit readers can assume is currently available. BGR’s 2023 article said eligible buyers could receive a $7,500 federal tax credit and described $31,490 as the resulting effective price for qualifying buyers at the reported $38,990 vehicle price. That was historical context, not the car’s sticker price. Tesla’s incentives guidance says the Inflation Reduction Act ended as of September 30, 2025, and directs consumers to the IRS for current federal incentive details. Tesla’s incentives page is the place to start; eligibility and any local offers depend on current rules and circumstances.

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How to compare the price you will actually pay

Use the live configuration for your location and distinguish the vehicle’s displayed starting price from the full cost of buying and owning it. Tesla’s quoted U.S. prices exclude taxes and other fees, and your configuration, financing, trade-in, and charging setup can change the total. Do not subtract an incentive unless current official guidance confirms that you and the specific vehicle qualify.

  • Confirm the market and trim. Prices and equipment vary by region and configuration; a U.S. base price is not a global price.
  • Check the fee basis. Tesla says its displayed U.S. prices include destination and order fees but exclude taxes and other fees.
  • Verify incentives separately. Use official current federal guidance and check any local offer’s eligibility and dates.
  • Account for charging equipment. What is included or offered separately depends on the market and configuration. For example, Tesla Australia’s displayed Model 3 order page lists a $600 Mobile Charger and an $800 Home Charger as optional equipment and says charging equipment is not included. Those are Australian configuration prices, not U.S. prices. Check Tesla Australia’s configuration page for that market, and verify connector compatibility for your own vehicle and location.
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Bottom line on the headline

“Tesla Model 3 Now Available At The Lowest Price It Has Ever Been” refers to BGR’s October 6, 2023 report of a $38,990 U.S. Rear-Wheel Drive price and its attributed all-time-low claim. Tesla’s displayed U.S. base price is now $38,630, but a current listing—and the available historical launch-price information—does not establish a definitive all-time low across every Model 3 version and market. Treat the headline as historical, check Tesla’s live price for your region, and verify incentives before calculating an effective price.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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