Tesla Model 3 Standard at $30K in Korea - The EV Price Revolution

Tech
·Dante Chun

In January 2026, Tesla dropped a bombshell on the Korean EV market.

Model 3 Standard RWD, ₩41,990,000 (~$30,000 USD).

With subsidies, you can buy a Tesla for under $30K.
A Tesla at Hyundai Elantra prices? The world has changed.

Price Breakdown

Tesla Korea announced these prices on January 17th.

Tesla Model 3 Korea Price - Standard ₩41.99M, Long Range ₩52.99M, Performance ₩59.99M
Tesla Korea official website pricing (January 2026)
Model MSRP National Subsidy Est. Final Price
Model 3 Standard RWD ₩41.99M ₩1.68M ₩37-39M
Model 3 Long Range RWD ₩52.99M ₩4.2M ₩44-46M

The national subsidy of ₩1.68M plus local government subsidies
can add up to ₩2-3M in Seoul/Gyeonggi, and over ₩4M in some regions.

That means you can buy a Tesla Model 3 for around ₩37M (~$26,500 USD).

Compared to Korean EVs?

The shocking part: it's cheaper than domestic EVs.

  • Hyundai Ioniq 5 Standard: ₩47.4M → Model 3 is ₩5.4M cheaper

  • Hyundai Ioniq 6 Standard: ₩48.56M → Model 3 is ₩6.5M cheaper

An imported car cheaper than domestic ones. The tables have turned.

Standard Model Specs

Some features were cut to hit this price point.

Key Specs

  • Range: 382km combined (400km city, 360km highway)

  • Battery: 62.1kWh

  • 0-100km/h: 6.2 seconds

  • Efficiency: 5.4km/kWh

What's Missing

  • Front ventilated seats

  • Rear heated seats

  • Rear 8-inch display

  • FM Radio (internet streaming still works)

No ventilated seats is a bummer, but it's an acceptable trade-off for the price.

Why So Cheap?

Tesla's strategy seems clear.

  • Market share expansion: Targeting customers who found Tesla too expensive

  • FSD subscription revenue: Sell cars cheap, profit from software

  • China production efficiency: Cost savings from Shanghai Gigafactory

Similar to the printer-ink business model.

The Challenge: Service Infrastructure

Tesla's chronic issue of limited service infrastructure remains.

  • Service centers are scarce, leading to long wait times

  • Parts supply can be delayed

However, mobile service is expanding,
and infrastructure should follow as sales increase.

I Chose the Long Range

I ordered the Model 3 Long Range RWD.

Tesla Model 3 order confirmation screen
Model 3 order confirmed! haha yes

The Standard is tempting, but:

  • More range headroom (500km+)

  • Ventilated seats included

  • Better resale value expected

I paid about ₩5M more for the Long Range.
Delivery is expected in about a month.

Conclusion

Honestly, at this price and spec level,
the reasons to buy an ICE car are diminishing.

Lower running costs, continuously improving autonomous driving tech.

If you're considering an EV, now might be the time.
A Tesla for under $30K - unthinkable just 5 years ago.

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