Tesla Model 3 Highland price set 12% higher on preorder in new colors with 10% longer range and new rims

Tesla barely waited for September 1 to release its long awaited Model 3 Highland refresh and has now posted all the price and specs details, as well as the exterior design and interior cockpit differences with the current Model 3.

Model 3 Highland price

•  US$35,850 (12% higher)

The Model 3 Highland price starts from the equivalent of US$35,850 in China, which is 12% higher than what the older Model 3 used to cost there. The Model 3 Highland AWD LR costs US$40,760 (RMB 295,900), about 11% higher than before.

These are the Highland prices in the preorder period, though, and in China they go lower once deliveries start. In Australia, for instance, the Model 3 Highland price is set 8% higher, while in Germany or France it commands just 2.4% premium over the older version.

Model 3 Highland range

• 377 miles (10% longer)

The good news, however, besides all the design and interior updates, is that the base Model 3 Highland's official range is now pegged 10% higher than before, perhaps thanks to the rumored larger 66 kWh M3P battery by CATL.

Just as Apple with its iPhones, Tesla doesn't disclose the battery capacity in its vehicles, but the listed range on a charge for the base model is 606 km (377 miles), compared to the 556km (345 miles) before. That's most likely on the local CLTC cycle, though, which is about a third more generous than the EPA estimates in the US. The Model 3 Highland Long Range also got a smaller range bump to 713km (443 miles) on a charge.

Tesla Model 3 Highland vs Model 3 differences

With the Model 3 Highland price and range out of the way, Tesla also previewed all the upgrades from the older Model 3 and has listed the new features.

Design

• Renewed design: 0.22 drag coefficient with more dynamic body shape.
• New Light Wing headlights and integrated tail lights.
• New Flame Red and Starry Grey colors.
• 19-inch Nova Wheels and 18-inch Photon Wheels.

Performance and interior

• Renewed performance: 713km long-lasting battery life, new suspension system.
• 282km (175 miles) of range added in a 15-minute Supercharger session.
• Cockpit: dual front and rear screens.
• Softer, more refined materials with premium craftsmanship.
• Safety Renewal: Remote Airbags, Blind Spot Reminder Lights.
• Surrounding cockpit and multi-color ambient lights.
• Audio system: up to 17 speakers, 2 subwoofers and 2 amplifiers.
• Wireless charging pad for two phones
• Ventilated seats.

The front seats can be cooled in advance via the phone app, says Tesla, and automatically air-conditioned by linking them to the air conditioning system.

"You can now charge two phones wirelessly at the same time and make calls with crystal clear quality thanks to the improved microphones," it adds, while "thanks to 360° acoustic glazing, the interior is particularly quiet" for less distraction during calls.

From the looks of it, there are also Hardware 4.0 cameras on the new Model 3 Highland, including one in the front bumper like on the Cybertruck, but Tesla stays mum on that particular upgrade.

Model 3 Highland release date

All in all, with the Model 3 Highland release, Tesla just confirmed most of the rumors that have been swirling around the facelift in the past few months, down to the ventilated seats with only the exact range, price, and retail colors being a new reveal.

Tesla says it will start the Model 3 Highland deliveries in Q4 for China and Europe, while Australia will get the Highland in January. 

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