2026 Tesla Model 3: real cost in California
See the Model 3 on Tesla's US site ↗US prices read 2026-11-09
Cheapest trim, Standard Rear-Wheel Drive · California · age 35–59 · 6 years · 13,500 mi a yearChange
Sticker$36,990the advertised price
Drive away$42,103with fees and tax
Loan payment$633/mo72-month loan at 7%, $5,000 down
True cost$1,252/moeverything, after resale
$42,103 to drive away + $60,748 to run it for 6 years − $12,683 back at resale = $90,168, or $1,252 a month.
Where the money goes
Drive away$42,103
Running it, 6 yrs+$60,748
Back at resale−$12,683
Sticker pricethe advertised MSRP
+$36,990Feesfreight $1,390 · doc fee $250 (typical)
+$1,640Sales and use tax, 8.99%California
+$3,473Insuranceestimate, age 35–59, California
+$26,387Lost return on your money5% a year on the down payment and each payment
+$8,960Loan interest7% over 72 months
+$8,442Maintenanceestimate
+$7,043Charging13,500 mi a year at 140 MPGe, home charging at $0.33/kWh
+$6,332Title, registration and plates6 years in California, incl. 0.65% value tax a year
+$2,858California EV fee$121 a year
+$726Resale after 6 years34% of MSRP, you get this back
−$12,683True cost $90,168 ÷ 72 months$1,252 a month
The car
Size and space
BodySedan
Seats5from the Canadian version or the type
CargoNot published
Engine and fuel
Engine279–510 hp electric, RWD, AWD
0–60 mph3.5–5.3 sour estimate from power and weight
Energy use112–140 MPGeEPA combined
Range321 miabout 225 mi in winter
TowingNot published
Tires18" or 20"by trim
Safety and cover
Crash test✓ 5 of 5 starsNHTSA · see the test ↗
European crash test5 of 5 stars ↗Euro NCAP 2025, European version
Highway assistSupervised self-drivinghighways and city streets · Full Self-Driving (Supervised), $74/mo
Resale at 6 years34% of MSRPthis model's own record · how it compares
Every trim
All trims: 5 seats.| Standard Rear-Wheel Drive | $36,990 | $42,103 | $90,168 | ✓ $1,252/mo | 140 MPGe | ✓ Yes | — No | — No |
| Premium Rear-Wheel Drive | $42,490 | $48,097 | $97,212 | $1,350/mo | 135 MPGe | — No | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Premium All-Wheel Drive | $47,490 | $53,547 | $104,806 | $1,456/mo | 130 MPGe | — No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Performance All-Wheel Drive | $54,990 | $61,721 | $117,810 | $1,636/mo | 112 MPGe | ✓ Yes | — No | ✓ Yes |
Standard Rear-Wheel Drive
✓ $1,252/mo
True cost
Premium Rear-Wheel Drive
$1,350/mo
True cost
Premium All-Wheel Drive
$1,456/mo
True cost
Performance All-Wheel Drive
$1,636/mo
True cost
Features, trim by trim
Cheapest on the left. Each bar starts at the trim that adds it.Feature
Standard Rear-Wheel Drive$36,990
Premium Rear-Wheel Drive$42,490
Premium All-Wheel Drive$47,490
Performance All-Wheel Drive$54,990
Safety and driver assist
Automatic braking
✓ Every trim
Blind-spot monitor
✓ Every trim
Adaptive cruise
✓ Every trim
Lane centering
+ An option on every trim
Hands-free driving
+ An option on every trim
Parking sensors
✓ Every trim
Comfort
Heated seats
✓
✓ from Performance All-Wheel Drive
Cooled seats
✓ from Premium Rear-Wheel Drive
Heated steering wheel
✓
Convenience
Remote start
✓ Every trim
Wireless phone charging
✓ Premium Rear-Wheel Drive to Premium All-Wheel Drive
Tech and audio
Built-in navigation
✓ Every trim
Large touchscreen (12 in+)
✓ Every trim
Capability and looks
AWD or 4WD
✓ from Premium All-Wheel Drive
Sunroof
✓ Premium Rear-Wheel Drive to Premium All-Wheel Drive
Panoramic roof
✓ Premium Rear-Wheel Drive to Premium All-Wheel Drive
LED headlights
✓ Every trim
Tesla lists only a few items for this model, so features not shown above may still be fitted; check with the dealer.
Full standard equipment on the Standard Rear-Wheel Drive (15 items)
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure avoidance
- Blind spot monitoring
- Front-facing camera
- Phone key (keyless entry)
- Remote climate control via app
- Remote connect via Tesla app
- Sentry Mode
- Pet Mode
- Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is an optional upgrade, not standard
- Heated front seats (textile)
- Heated steering wheel
- 7-speaker audio system
- 16-inch center touchscreen
Recalls
7 NHTSA recalls for 2024 to 2026 Model 3 models. Dealers fix them free; a new car should have them done before delivery. Ask the dealer to check the VIN.
Structure2024 · 15 vehicles
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles.Recall 26V445000 at NHTSA ↗Electrical system2025 · 12,963 vehicles
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles.Recall 25V690000 at NHTSA ↗Seats2026 · 48 vehicles
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.Recall 25V410000 at NHTSA ↗Back over prevention2024, 2025 · 239,382 vehicles
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles.Recall 25V002000 at NHTSA ↗Tires2024, 2025 · 696,281 vehicles
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles.Recall 24V935000 at NHTSA ↗Latches/locks/linkages2024 · 1,849,638 vehicles
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles.Recall 24V554000 at NHTSA ↗Quick answers
- How much is a 2026 Model 3 in California?
- $42,103 to drive away for the Standard Rear-Wheel Drive, from a $36,990 sticker.
- What does it cost a month?
- A $633 loan payment, about $1,235 a month with insurance, fuel and upkeep ($5,000 down); about $1,252 a month all in, after resale.
- How much can it tow?
- The brand doesn't publish a towing capacity.
Similar cars
US prices in US dollars from Tesla's US website, read 2026-11-09; destination as the brand lists it. Taxes, registration and the dealer doc fee follow your state. Insurance and maintenance are estimates. How we count.