After more than a year of teasing "more affordable models," Tesla Motors finally officially unveiled these vehicles on Tuesday. The company has now launched "base" versions of the Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV, with starting prices of $36,990 and $39,990 respectively.

These new "standard" variants both offer an estimated range of 321 miles (approximately 516 kilometers) on a full charge, but come with reduced configurations compared to the higher-end rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive versions. They don't even include Tesla Motors' basic advanced driver assistance system — Autopilot. (The new vehicles only feature traffic-aware cruise control, while the core "Autopilot" automatic steering functionality is not included.)

The introduction of these lower-priced models is intended to help Tesla Motors return to growth after declining sales in 2024. However, the pricing has not met some consumers' expectations, particularly considering CEO Elon Musk's previous vision of launching a "$25,000 Tesla Motors vehicle," a project that was ultimately shelved.

Notably, the new Model 3 standard version's starting price doesn't even fall below the $35,000 threshold — a price point Tesla Motors heavily promoted before the Model 3's launch in 2016. While this price target helped Tesla Motors break into the mainstream market, it was actually only briefly offered as a "non-public custom option" for a few months and never widely available.

The interior and exterior differences in the new standard versions are quite apparent. While Tesla Motors vehicles have always been known for their minimalist design, the standard Model 3 and Model Y push this "ultra-minimalist style" to the extreme: no rear touchscreen, manual steering wheel and side mirror adjustments, eliminated FM/AM radio functionality, and heated seats only in the front.

Externally, Tesla Motors has removed the signature light bar across the front of the premium Model Y; additionally, the standard versions no longer feature the panoramic glass roof.