Teslas keep getting more expensive — here's how much each model will set you back

Updated

2021-07-26T17:47:22Z

Tesla Lineup

Tesla's cars range in price from around $40,000 to $130,000
Tesla
  • Teslas are getting more expensive by the day.
  • The Model S, for instance, costs $15,000 more than it did in late 2020.
  • Tesla sells four models — the Model S, 3, X, and Y — which cost roughly $40,000 to $130,000.
  • See more stories on Insider's business page.

Loading Something is loading.

It's typical for car companies to raise their prices slightly with each new model year but otherwise keep pricing pretty consistent. Tesla, however, isn't one to follow industry norms.

Elon Musk's automaker, which sells cars direct-to-consumer rather than through traditional dealers, raises and lowers its prices whenever it sees fit. Lately, those prices have been trending sharply upward.

In July, the company upped the starting price of the Model S sedan and Model X crossover by $5,000 — to roughly $85,000 and $95,000, respectively. A Model S will now run you $15,000 more than it did in late 2020, when Musk slashed the sedan's price to a meme-worthy $69,420 in an effort to undercut Lucid, an up-and-coming rival.

Also in July, Tesla bumped the price of certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles by $1,000, the latest of several price hikes this year. After a handful of small hikes, a base Model 3 now costs $3,000 more than it did in February, while a Model Y costs $4,000 more.

With prices changing so frequently, it can be difficult to keep track of it all. Those shopping for a new Tesla can consult this guide to understand the latest prices of the Tesla Model S, 3, X, and Y, and how the models stack up.

Although add-ons vary between models, any Tesla can be optioned with the $10,000 Full Self-Driving driver-assistance package, which doesn't currently make Teslas fully autonomous.

Model S

Tesla Model S.
Tesla

Launched in 2012, the Model S sedan is Tesla's longest-running model. The luxury four-door got an overhaul at the top of 2021, which included an updated exterior and a controversial new steering yoke. It's the choice for EV buyers who have a little more to spend and don't want a crossover.

Here's how each Model S breaks down:

  • Long Range: For $84,990, the base Model S delivers an estimated range of 405 miles, a top speed of 155 mph, and a 0-60-mph time of 3.1 seconds.
  • Plaid: The $129,990 Model S Plaid, whose name is a reference to the movie "Space Balls," travels 396 miles on a charge, hits a top speed of 200 mph, and sprints to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds, Tesla says. It's propelled by three motors good for more than 1,000 horsepower.

A paint color other than white will run you $1,500 to $2,500, 21-inch wheels cost $4,500, and a white or off-white interior costs $2,500.

Model 3

Tesla Model 3.
Tesla

With the debut of the Model 3 in 2017, Tesla made good on its promise to build a more affordable vehicle than the Model S or Model X that came before it. And since it launched, the Model 3 has proved wildly successful, becoming both Tesla's most popular model and the overall best-selling EV in the world in 2020.

The Model 3 comes in three flavors:

  • Standard Range Plus: The $39,990 base Model 3 gets an estimated range of 263 miles, a top speed of 140 mph, and a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds.
  • Long Range: The $49,990 Long Range model has an EPA-estimated range of 353 miles
  • Performance: For $56,990, the sporty Model 3 Performance delivers a 315-mile range, a top speed of 162 mph, and a 0-60-mph time of 3.1 seconds. It also has a lowered suspension, better brakes, and 20-inch wheels as standard.

A paint color other than white will set you back $1,000 to $2,000, 19-inch rims cost $1,500, and a white interior — as opposed to the standard black — costs a $1,000 premium.

Read more: Don't blame bitcoin for Tesla's stock slide — it's high-time faithful investors took some profits

Model X

Tesla Model X.
Tesla

The Model X crossover is Tesla's second-oldest model behind the Model S. It hit the market in 2015.

There are two versions of the Model X:

  • Long Range:For $94,990, the dual-motor base Model X delivers 360 miles of estimated range and a 149-mph top speed.
  • Plaid:The $119,990 Plaid version steps things up a notch with three motors that Tesla says put out 1,020 horsepower. Tesla says the high-performance crossover will have a 340-mile range and a 0-60-mph time of 2.5 seconds when deliveries start.

Like on Tesla's other vehicles, a white paint job comes standard — black, silver, blue, or red will run you $1,500 to $2,500. Five seats come standard, and a six-seat or seven-seat layout costs $6,500 and $3,500, respectively.

A white or cream interior costs $2,000, while bigger rims go for $5,500.

Model Y

Tesla Model Y.
Tesla

Starting deliveries in early 2020, the Model Y compact crossover is Tesla's newest vehicle. It's based on the same platform as the Model 3, but has more cargo capacity, rides higher, and has a general shape more like the Model X. It's proving to be a hot seller just like its sedan sibling.

The Model Y comes in two versions:

  • Long Range:The $53,990 base vehicle has an EPA-estimated range of 326 miles, a top speed of 135 mph, and makes the sprint to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds.
  • Performance:The sportier option costs $60,990, and although it gets a lower range of 303 miles, it makes up for it in performance upgrades. The crossover accelerates to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, has a higher top speed, and comes with bigger wheels, better brakes, and a lowered suspension.

There's also a more affordable Standard Range model that Tesla briefly sold starting in January. Elon Musk said on Twitter it's still available as an off-menu option.

Buyers can shell out an extra $1,000 for a tow hitch, $1,000 for a white interior, and $3,000 for third-row seating. A non-white paint job costs $1,000 to $2,000, while bigger rims command $2,000.

Sign up for notifications from Insider! Stay up to date with what you want to know.

Subscribe to push notifications

Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

For you

More: Transportation Tesla car buying Auto Industry

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

For you