Last Updated: February 17, 2026
Ordering a Tesla Model 3 in the UK is exciting, but the configurator can feel overwhelming. From choosing your colour and wheels to deciding on Autopilot packages and accessories, each optional extra can have a big impact on your driving experience and your costs, especially with the Expensive Car Supplement if you go over £40,000.
In this article, I'll break down every option so you can make informed decisions, see what's truly worth it, and avoid paying for features you'll never use. Plus, I'll show you how to use my referral link to earn £500 Tesla credit to spend on accessories like a Tesla Wall Connector or roof rack after you take delivery.
👉 Get £500 Tesla Credit Here – and put it toward your home charger or other Tesla extras.
📍 NOTE: Everything in this article follows the same order you'll see when you configure your Tesla Model 3 on Tesla's website, making it easier for you to follow along during the purchasing process.
Choosing the Right Tesla Model 3 Version
With the refreshed Tesla Model 3, you now have four main variants to choose from, each offering its own balance of performance, real-world range, and price. Here's what you can expect in everyday driving.
| Trim | Price (GBP) | Range (WLTP) | Real-World Range | BHP | 0-60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear-Wheel Drive | £39,990 | 319 miles | ~260-280 miles | 283 BHP | 5.8 sec |
| Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive | £44,990 | 419 miles | ~320-350 miles | 346 BHP | 5.1 sec |
| Long Range All-Wheel Drive | £49,990 | 391 miles | ~310-340 miles | 441 BHP | 4.2 sec |
| Performance All-Wheel Drive | £59,990 | 328 miles | ~290-320 miles | 510 BHP | 2.9 sec |
Rear-Wheel Drive (£39,990)
The standard Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) is Tesla's most affordable option. Powered by a single motor at the rear wheels, you'll see a real-world range of around 260-280 miles on a full charge. Acceleration is smooth and perfectly fine for most drivers, and the new “Highland” updates improve ride quality, reduce cabin noise, and add ambient lighting for a more premium feel.
Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (£44,990)
If you do more motorway trips and want to go further between charges, the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive is a great choice. Equipped with a larger battery pack, you can realistically get 320-350 miles per charge, making it one of the most efficient EVs on sale today. It's an ideal balance between cost, range, and everyday usability.
Long Range All-Wheel Drive (£49,990)
The Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) adds a front motor for extra grip and faster acceleration. Even with its added power, real-world range is very impressive at around 310-340 miles per charge. The AWD system also provides more confidence in wet and wintry conditions, a smart choice if you often drive on rural or uneven roads.
Performance All-Wheel Drive (£59,990)
If you want serious speed, Tesla's Performance AWD is in a different league. Powered by Tesla's most potent dual-motor setup, it reaches 60 mph in around 3.1 seconds and features bespoke Performance design details. This version also includes sport seats for better support, adaptive suspension for sharper handling, 20-inch forged wheels for increased grip, and Tesla's Track Mode V3 for customisable racetrack performance. Real-world range is slightly lower at around 290-320 miles per full charge due to its increased power output, but for most drivers, it's an incredible balance of thrills, technology, and everyday practicality.
🎨 Paint Options
Your Tesla Model 3 comes in Stealth Grey or Solid Black at no extra cost.
Premium paints like Pearl White Multi-Coat and Deep Blue Metallic cost £1,300, while Quicksilver and Ultra Red cost £2,000.
Keep in mind: Going for premium paint could take your list price over £40,000, which means you'll pay the Expensive Car Supplement. If you're going to add one optional extra and go past £40,000 anyway, it might make sense to add any other features you want too.
🛞 Wheels
- 18-inch Photon Wheels – Included
- 19-inch Nova Wheels – £1,500 extra
The 19-inch wheels look sportier and slightly improve handling, but can reduce range and ride comfort. If you add them to a base-spec Model 3, you'll also tip the price over the £40,000 threshold – so if you go for these, it may also be worth upgrading other options.
🚚 Tow Hitch – £1,300
Important: A tow hitch cannot be added after delivery. Tesla's OEM hitch is rated for up to 1,000 kg and is a great feature if you ever plan to tow a trailer or bike rack. It also holds its value on the second-hand market – especially as so few used Teslas have one – making your car easier to sell.
🖤 Interior Options
- Black Interior – Included
- Black & White Interior – £1,100 extra
The White interior looks incredible and is surprisingly easy to clean. Even tough marks like biro pen come off easily with the right products. This upgrade adds a luxury feel – but also bumps your list price closer to the £40,000 threshold.
🤖 Autopilot & Enhanced Autopilot
Every Tesla Model 3 includes Basic Autopilot – lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control as standard.
More advanced options:
- Enhanced Autopilot – £3,400
Features like AutoPark, lane-change assistance, Summon, and Smart Summon. These are genuinely useful for tight spaces and motorway driving. - Full Self-Driving (FSD) – £6,800
Still mostly a “promise” in the UK, allowing for more advanced features like Traffic Light & Stop Sign control. Until UK regulations change, FSD isn't delivering much beyond Enhanced Autopilot. Many buyers opt to wait until the tech and legal landscape catches up.
⚠️ Pro tip: Enhanced Autopilot is more useful for most UK drivers. However, if you're already over the £40,000 luxury tax threshold, you may as well add the Autopilot upgrade you want – you'll be paying the higher rate of VED regardless.
🧰 Optional Accessories
You can add accessories like:
- Tesla Roof Rack – £368
- Centre Console Tray – £20
You can also wait and order these accessories after delivery with your referral credit.
🔌 Charging Extras
- Mobile Connector – £180
- Tesla Wall Connector – £475
Every Tesla can Supercharge on the Tesla network. Consider ordering the Wall Connector separately using my £500 Tesla referral credit after you take delivery, that way it will be effectively free.
🏷️ Vehicle Excise Duty & Luxury Car Tax
Here's the key bit:
If your Tesla Model 3 list price is over £40,000 and you register it on or after April 1, 2026, you'll pay a higher VED rate for the first five years, known as the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) or “luxury car tax.”
Here's what you need to know:
- Standard VED: £195 per year for electric cars registered on or after April 1, 2026.
- Expensive Car Supplement: £425 per year if your list price is over £40,000 (first five years).
- Combined VED: £620 per year for the first five years.
- Older Cars (pre-April 2026): Even if they cost more than £40,000, they'll only pay the standard £195 per year.
💡 What does this mean for you?
If you go over £40,000 list price by even a small amount, for example, choosing premium paint, you'll pay £620 per year in VED for the first five years instead of £195. Given this jump, if you're going to add one optional extra and go over the threshold anyway, it often makes sense to spec the car exactly as you'd like (tow hitch, premium interior, or Autopilot) so you'll truly get the most from that luxury rate you'll already be paying.
✅ Summary – What's Worth Adding?
My advice:
- Stay under £40,000 list price if you want to avoid the extra tax altogether.
- If you go over the £40,000 threshold, make the most of it. Get the paint, hitch, wheels, and autopilot features you'd enjoy most.
- Consider ordering accessories like roof racks and wall connectors separately after delivery, using the £500 Tesla credit you'll earn with my referral link.
🏷️ Additional Fees (Included in the total car cost)
- Destination & Doc Fee – £925
- Vehicle Excise Duty – £10
- First Registration Fee – £55
🎁 Ready to Order? Get £500 Tesla Credit with My Referral Link
If you're ready to order your Tesla Model 3, use my referral link for £500 Tesla credit, perfect for accessories like a Tesla Wall Connector or roof rack after delivery.
💡 What I Learned Buying a Used Model 3
I purchased my 2021 Model 3 Long Range from Cinch UK in February 2026 with 44,000 miles. The buying process taught me what actually matters: I chose Cinch for their 14-day return policy, hired Cleverly EV for home inspection (they found issues that resulted in £3k of warranty work!), and had Tesla Exeter handle everything under the remaining 6 months of warranty.
I traded in an Audi Q7 4.2L diesel that was costing me 25mpg and £800/year in tax. Now I'm spending £20/month on home charging and £195/year road tax – massive savings. Every tip in this guide comes from going through this process myself.
Steven | Previous: Audi Q7 diesel | Now: Model 3 Long Range saving £££
I’m Steven, founder of MoneyAppReviews. I test money apps, referral programs, and EV tools in real life before I write about them. I drive a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, use Octopus Intelligent Go for home charging, and regularly track costs, savings, and app performance over time. I focus on practical, evidence-based reviews that help people decide what is actually worth using, not just what pays the highest commission.