The Model 3 priced at 174,000 yuan goes on sale, and South Koreans are the first to experience it. Netizens: The cheap Chinese version won't be far off.

The affordable version of the Model 3 is just around the corner.

Last week, Tesla's official channels in Thailand and the Philippines announced the launch of the affordable version of the Model 3. This week, it quietly made its way to the South Korean market.

The price is quite attractive, with a recommended retail price of 41.99 million South Korean won, approximately equivalent to 198,000 yuan.

If the subsidy policies and activities implemented in South Korea are taken into account, the actual selling price is only about 174,000 yuan, making the South Korean - version affordable Model 3 the most accessible one globally.

Previously, the affordable versions of the Model 3 launched in Thailand and the Philippines were priced at 254,800 yuan and 217,000 yuan respectively.

Moreover, the most crucial point is that all these models are produced in one place - Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory.

This means that once the domestic low - end version of the Model 3 enters the domestic market, excluding logistics costs, the price is likely to drop further. Other Asian countries are introducing new models. Can the entry into the Chinese market be far behind?

01 Many Features Are Simplified

Tesla officially named the "affordable version" of the Model 3 in South Korea the Model 3 Standard RWD (Standard Rear - Wheel Drive). Delivery is expected within 1 - 3 months after placing an order.

Let's first look at what Tesla South Korea officially said about this car: "No compromise on safety, high - quality and reliable basic performance, a rational choice for daily life."

Put simply, although many configurations have been cut down, there is no compromise on safety.

In terms of price, the standard version of the Model 3 is priced at 41.99 million South Korean won. Previously, the cheapest Model 3 sold by Tesla in the South Korean market was the Long - Range Rear - Wheel Drive version, priced at 52.99 million South Korean won. In terms of RMB, the former is approximately 198,000 yuan, while the latter is about 250,000 yuan.

The price difference between the two is 50,000 yuan, which is equivalent to a quarter of the car price.

With the electric vehicle subsidy policy implemented in South Korea, the entry - level price of the standard Tesla Model 3 is only 174,000 yuan, setting a new historical low for the Tesla Model 3. Previously, the cheapest Model 3 was the rear - wheel drive version in the Chinese market (235,000 yuan).

The significantly lower price means that many configurations are missing. Similar to the standard version of the Model 3 initially launched in the United States, there is no difference in appearance from the current model. However, most non - core comfort configurations in the car have been simplified, with some differences in details, and the battery range has also been significantly reduced.

The previous entry - level Model 3 in the South Korean market had a range of 583 km, while the standard version of the Model 3 only has a range of 382 km, a direct reduction of 200 km. It is worth noting that when the standard version of the Model 3 was launched in other regions, the range difference was not significant, or even non - existent. For example, in the Thai and US markets, the standard and regular versions in Thailand both have a range of 534 km. In the US market, the standard version has a range of 321 miles, and the regular version has a range of 363 miles.

In addition, the acceleration has slowed down. The 0 - 100 km/h acceleration time has increased from 5.2 seconds to 6.2 seconds. The charging speed is not disclosed on Tesla's South Korean official website. Only 18 - inch wheels are available, and there is only one option.

In terms of in - car comfort configurations, it is basically the same as the standard - version models in other regions. The audio system has been streamlined from 9 speakers in the entry - level version to 7. The 8 - inch small screen under the rear seats has been removed. The radio function has also been removed from the front - row infotainment system. The steering wheel adjustment has changed from electric to manual. The ambient lighting has been removed, and even the storage compartment lighting in the doors has been canceled.

The interior is made of fabric, and there is only one color option, black. The rear - seat heating has been completely removed. The front - seat ventilation and heating function only retains the heating, and it cannot be adjusted electrically. The independent rear - seat air - conditioning control has been canceled, and the adjustment has changed from touch - screen to manual.

It is worth noting that the rear - view mirrors are still electrically adjustable instead of being downgraded to manual folding, but the anti - glare function has been removed.

However, there is no major simplification in the basic chassis part. The suspension system has been downgraded from electronically adjustable damping to passive shock absorbers. The active safety features are still on par with the previous version.

Although many configurations have been cut, the attractive price makes up for it. From the configurations of the standard - version Model 3 launched in various regions, it is not difficult to predict the general configuration level of the standard - version Model 3 in the Chinese market.

Now, what we are more concerned about is when it will be launched and what the price will be.

02 The 190,000 - yuan Model 3 Is Not Far Away

Judging from this trend, the standard version of the Model 3 may enter the domestic market ahead of the standard version of the Model Y.

Actually, two weeks ago, a promotional page for the standard version of the Model Y briefly appeared on Tesla's Chinese official website, which sparked a lot of speculation.

However, Tesla China soon removed this promotional page. According to a report by Kuaikeji, a source close to Tesla revealed that this streamlined model with significant configuration adjustments will enter the domestic market soon, with the Model 3 leading the way, followed by the Model Y.

Moreover, not long ago, a piece of news about a so - called affordable version of the Model 3 entering the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's vehicle catalog caused quite a stir.

According to the information in the "Catalogue of New - Energy Vehicle Models Exempted from Vehicle Purchase Tax (26th Batch)" released on December 31, 2025, six Tesla models in China were included in the catalogue, including a "Model 3 Standard Range Plus" model.

If we match it with the keyword "standard version", this model corresponds to the Model 3 Standard launched in the United States, which is commonly known as the "affordable version" of the Model 3.

This model, regarded as the "affordable version" of the Model 3, is equipped with a 52.9 kWh battery and has a range of 480 km under the CLTC condition. Currently, the entry - level rear - wheel drive Model 3 sold in China has a CLTC range of 634 km. In comparison, the range of the new model has been significantly reduced.

Immediately, some professionals debunked the news, saying that it is only a matter of time before the affordable version of the Model 3 enters the Chinese market, but the news that it has been reported to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is not credible.

Because this model is not the so - called affordable version of the Model 3. The document clearly states that models included in the purchase - tax exemption catalogue will automatically be transferred to the first batch of purchase - tax exemption catalogues in 2026 if they meet the new technical requirements. That is to say, the 26th batch of the catalogue may include old models, and some may even be discontinued models.

Moreover, previous versions of old models also appeared in Tesla's application catalogue. In fact, this Model 3 with a 480 - km range is the standard - range upgraded Model 3 imported from the United States in 2019, and its battery parameters and vehicle model code E1R6 can be matched.

Although it has been proven to be false news, it still cannot stop the increasing popularity of the affordable - version models entering the Chinese market. After all, Tesla's intention to launch the standard - version models is obvious.

In 2025, Tesla delivered 625,698 vehicles in the Chinese market, accounting for more than 38% of Tesla's global sales volume. There is no reason for Tesla not to introduce the more accessible standard - version models to the Chinese market.

Moreover, the recent Model 3 models in several regions are produced at the Shanghai Gigafactory, further corroborating the possibility of the affordable Model 3 entering the Chinese market.

Finally, let's talk about the price. The standard version of the Model 3 in the South Korean market is about 50,000 yuan cheaper than the current entry - level model. If the Chinese market follows this pricing strategy, it is almost certain that the price of the affordable version of the Model 3 will drop below 200,000 yuan.

Previously, the Model 3 in the Chinese market has always had the lowest entry threshold globally. If we take the price of the South Korean standard - version model, approximately 198,000 yuan, as a reference, the price of the standard - version Model 3 in the Chinese market is likely to be even lower.

After all, Tao Lin, the global vice - president of Tesla, clearly stated in May last year that more than 95% of the components of the Model 3/Y produced at the Shanghai Gigafactory are locally sourced, which is the key for Chinese consumers to buy Tesla at the "lowest global price".

The question is, how many people will buy the simplified Model 3 priced at 190,000 yuan or even lower?

This article is from the WeChat official account “SuperEV - Lab” (ID: SuperEV - Lab), author: Wang Lei. It is published by 36Kr with permission.