Tesla Model 3 pricing increased

The Tesla Model 3 is now more expensive in the UK with the manufacturer adjusting pricing for the third time in the last six months. The current entry-level model, the Standard Range Plus, now starts at £38,500 - a price increase of around £1,000. The Model 3 is pitched as an electric alternative to the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, Jaguar XE and Audi A4.

Upgrading to the all-wheel-drive Long Range model costs slightly more at £47,000, while top-of-the-range Performance model will now cost around £2,000 more to buy, starting at £52,000.

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Picking the Standard Range Plus model gets you 254 miles of range (around 25 less than the Hyundai Kona Electric), a 140mph top speed and a 0-60mph time of just 5.3 seconds. The Long Range model offers a larger battery and four-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive, so manages 348 miles on a single charge, a slightly higher top speed a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds. The Performance version - also all-wheel-drive - has a 329-mile range and is capable of 0-60mph in just 3.2 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 162mph.

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All Model 3s feature 18-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable heated front seats and door mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity, different driver profiles and phone charging capability. Upgrading to Long Range adds heated rear seats, a premium audio system, sat nav, internet connectivity and LED fog lights, while top-spec Performance models have 20-inch alloy wheels, bigger brakes, a carbon-fibre spoiler and lowered suspension.

Tesla’s standard Autopilot system is now standard across the Model 3 range but you’ll need to spend an extra £5,800 on the Full Self-Driving Capability option. The standard one will accelerate, brake and keep you in your lane, while the extra self-driving function includes the ability to change motorway lanes, self-parking, and a facility to summon the car remotely from a parking space. Both options still require driver input at all times - Tesla boss Elon Musk stated that the development work required to make supervision unnecessary would run to "billions of miles, if not tens of billions”, along with changes to legislation to allow self-driving cars on public roads.

The pricing change comes after the Tesla Model 3 recorded the highest ever score in the safety assist category of the Euro NCAP safety tests. The car was awarded 94% in this category, on its way to an overall five-star safety rating. Tesla’s third car also scored particularly highly for adult occupant protection. All models feature auto emergency braking.

Tesla has confirmed that all sales will now be online. Musk said Tesla dealerships will become information and advice centres only, stating that customers can order a new car via a smartphone app in “around a minute”.

Read our full review of the Tesla Model 3 to find out more.