Which Tesla should you buy in Singapore? Model 3 vs Model Y
Before picking a Tesla, count the passengers. Include the grandparents who are ‘only coming along for dinner’.
Choose the Model 3 for a cheaper sedan, or the Model Y for taller seating and easier loading. Both seat five. Need six? That’s the Model Y L.
Start with the RWD 110 models
Both use Cat A COE, with estimated road tax of $1,562/year.
Model 3 RWD 110
$74,411 before COE
5-seat sedan for commuters and smaller families happy with simpler equipment.
No ventilated front seats or rear screen.
Model Y Premium RWD 110
$105,519 before COE
5-seat SUV with taller seating and a rear hatch for bulky luggage.
Ventilated front seats and rear screen included.
The Y already has Premium equipment, so you’re paying for more than space. Bring your stroller and child seats to the test drive too.
Prices include estimated registration costs and the first year’s road tax, without deducting fuel savings. All table figures are $; examples add an illustrative $130,000 COE. Check our COE results and price history for current Cat A/B bids and confirm Tesla’s package quote.
Model 3: what do the upgrades buy?
- Premium RWD 110: daily comfort. Adds ventilated front seats, rear screen, better audio and upgraded dampers. Same power limit as the basic 110.
- Premium Long Range RWD: more range for Malaysia trips or fewer charging stops. Still rear-wheel drive.
- Performance AWD: for driving enthusiasts. All-wheel drive, sport seats, adaptive suspension and 20-inch wheels.
Both 110s use Cat A COE. Long Range and Performance use Cat B.
| Model 3 version | Before COE | With COE* | Road tax/year |
|---|---|---|---|
| RWD 110 | 74,411 | 204,411 | 1,562 |
| Premium RWD 110 | 91,153 | 221,153 | 1,562 |
| Premium Long Range RWD | 103,427 | 233,427 | 2,200 |
| Performance AWD | 140,130 | 270,130 | 7,168 |
Model Y: which of the three fits?
The Premium RWD 110 above is the starting point for five-seat family use. The upgrades:
- Premium Long Range RWD: five seats with more range for longer trips.
- L Premium AWD: six seats for larger families or regular grandparents duty, plus all-wheel drive and adaptive suspension.
Both use Cat B COE. Test the Y L’s third-row access and remaining luggage space with everyone aboard.
| Model Y version | Before COE | With COE* | Road tax/year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium RWD 110 | 105,519 | 235,519 | 1,562 |
| Premium Long Range RWD | 119,913 | 249,913 | 2,206 |
| L Premium AWD (6 seats) | 144,734 | 274,734 | 5,870 |
*Example total = before-COE price + $130,000. The first year's road tax is already included; the tax column shows the annual bill.
Yearly maintenance: what to budget
Tesla has no compulsory annual service or published fixed yearly fee. Its Singapore schedule recommends cabin filters every 12 months; two filters cost $50 in parts, plus labour. Check fitment.
Tyres, wipers and alignment cost extra. Tyre rotation is recommended at 10,000km or a 1.5mm tread-depth difference, whichever comes first, where the wheel setup permits. Brake-fluid testing is normally every four years, sooner with heavy use.