Tesla's Constant Price Hikes Are Getting Out Of Hand

Oct. 26, 2021 7:57 AM ET by Martin Bigg Pricing / 16 Comments

The Model 3 and Y base price has increased for the second time in a month, while the Model X and S have increased by $5,000.

Tesla has a reputation for changing prices more often than most automakers. There was a point earlier in the year when the price of the Model 3 and Model Y would change every few weeks. And now this is happening again. Earlier this month, Tesla quietly raised the price of every Model 3 and Model Y trim. A few weeks later, the price of the Model 3 and Model Y has crept up for the second time this month.

An update on Tesla's online configurator reveals the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus has increased from $41,990 to $43,990, an increase of $2,000. The last change also increased the price by $2,000. That means the base price of the Model 3 Standard Range Plus has increased by $4,000 in just a few weeks.

2017-2022 Tesla Model 3 Driving Front Angle

With demand higher than ever, the estimated delivery for new base Model 3 orders has slipped to September 2022. Tesla is clearly taking advantage of this by raising the price of new orders.

Curiously, pricing information for the Cybertruck has been removed from Tesla's website at the time of writing. As the Model 3's price has increased, the Cybertruck ironically became Tesla's cheapest model starting at $39,900. Pricing for the Model 3 Long Range AWD and Model 3 Performance is unaffected, starting at $49,990 and $57,990 respectively.

The Model Y has also had a similar price hike. Like the Model 3, the price of the entry-level Model Y Long Range Dual Motor has increased by $2,000, up to $56,990. The Performance version still costs $61,990, which is the same as the last price increase. Deliveries of the Model Y are now estimated to arrive in August 2022.

2020-2022 Tesla Model Y Front View Driving

2020-2022 Tesla Model Y Driving Back View

If you want your Model 3 or Model Y to arrive earlier, adding larger wheels reduces the delivery time by a few months. Unfortunately, the price of the Model S and Model X has also increased by a significant margin. The price of the Model S Long Range has jumped from $89,990 to $94,990 - a huge $5,000 increase. Deliveries of new Model S Long Range orders have also been delayed in the US until June 2022. The Model S Plaid, on the other hand, will still cost you $129,990.

Not long after deliveries started, the price of the new Model X Long Range has increased by $5,000 from $99,990 to $104,990. Deliveries for new orders will now take nearly a year. Pricing for the Model X Plaid, however, is unchanged at $119,990. At this rate, Tesla's constant price changes are starting to feel like dealer markups where the price fluctuates depending on demand.

Tesla's Constant Price Hikes Are Getting Out Of Hand

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Tesla's Constant Price Hikes Are Getting Out Of Hand

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